The Indianapolis Colts are set to report to the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield for the start of training camp in less than a week. Among the many positions to watch, the safety group will have plenty of eyes on them.
It’s been a whirlwind of an offseason when it comes to the safety position. The biggest news came from the surprising announcement of Khari Willis’ retirement at the age of 26. We also saw the return of starting free safety Julian Blackmon during the spring workouts for the first time since tearing his Achilles.
Be sure to check out the other position previews ahead of training camp:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight End
Offensive Tackle
Interior Offensive Line
Edge Rushers
Defensive Tackle
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
As training camp approaches in less than a week, here’s a preview of the safety position:
Julian Blackmon
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The 2020 third-round pick entered his second season with high hopes of making a big impact. Through the first six games, that was coming to fruition. Then, he tore his Achilles during practice and missed the remainder of the campaign.
While there were questions about his timeline, Blackmon returned to practice for the first time this spring. It was a bit surprising considering how far away from surgery he was, but Blackmon has proven to be a quick healer.
The Utah product is likely to have a new running mate (more on him soon), and he will be entering a new defense under Gus Bradley. We’ll see how much work he gets in during training camp, but the hope is that he’s ready to go.
Nick Cross
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Whether the Colts knew of Willis’ impending retirement or not, they came out looking like geniuses after trading up for Cross during the 2022 NFL draft. Even if they had to send a 2023 third-round pick to the Denver Broncos, that move could pay off big time.
Not even 21 years old yet, Cross has some development ahead. But the elite athletic ability, combined with his versatility and upside, give Cross a chance to be a starter relatively soon during his rookie season. It may take a bit of time, but Cross has the traits and upside to out-produce his draft capital.
Rodney McLeod
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bringing in the veteran McLeod seems like a savvy move on Chris Ballard’s part. Though he’s likely to work more at strong safety until Cross…
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