ESPN ranks all 32 teams (including Colts) by safety units

ESPN put together its ranking of all 32 safety units ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Where did the Colts end up on this list?

Along with the cornerback position, safety is one of the great unknowns for the Colts entering training camp and the regular season. In short, this was a unit last season that surrendered too many big plays and didn’t have enough on-ball production.

Re-signing Julian Blackmon to a one-year deal helps provide needed stability, but one of the bigger camp battles to take place this summer will be for that free safety role. With Daniel Scott out for the season with an Achilles injury, the competition is currently between Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas who have been rotating reps with the starting defense throughout OTAs and minicamp.

While interceptions and flashy plays are great, ultimately, it is going to be day-to-day consistency that determines who Blackmon’s running mate is going to be.

“I think that a guy like Rodney,” said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, “his first year a good year, second year struggled at times, but it feels like, just in the short time being back with him now, it’s like, you know what, I’ve learned from that, that’s not happening again. He’s kind of got that mindset. It feels like a pretty competitive group back there.

“And I think Nick, we tried him at strong and he can play strong, but I think even looking back at him at college, when he sees things top down, his comfort level and his speed picks up. He’s in a pretty good mindset now. It’ll just play out and we will see what we come up with.”

With over $26 million in available cap space and several quality free-agent safeties still available, GM Chris Ballard could look to add to this position group to bolster the depth and competition without Scott. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Colts will actually go down that path.

Now, on to ESPN’s rankings–here is where the Colts’ safety group ranks among the rest of the NFL:

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Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

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Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny…