The Denver Broncos received praise for their moves in free agency, particularly for signing safety Talanoa Hufanga. However, due to Hufanga’s history of injuries, former Colts safety Julian Blackmon has emerged as a potential depth option.
Blackmon, 26, was selected 85th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft and has started 62 of his 66 career games, including all 16 in the 2024 season.
Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron described Blackmon as a possible “injury insurance” for Hufanga.
“Even though the Broncos added Talanoa Hufanga to fill the free safety role, concerns about his durability remain,” Cameron wrote on May 8. “To strengthen the position and add reliable depth, Denver could consider someone like Julian Blackmon.”
JB climbs the ladder for the pick! 🪜
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/gof8hmMHmK
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 5, 2025
Blackmon is experienced in deep zone coverage and earned an 83.3 PFF coverage grade over the last two seasons in that role.
Last year, he tallied 86 total tackles—his second-highest season total—along with 4 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 0.5 sacks. He played on a one-year, $3.7 million deal and has made $9.8 million in career earnings.
Julian Blackmon Navigated Injury in 2024
Julian Blackmon recorded 88 total tackles, 8 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries over 15 games in 2023. While he had more playing time, his overall production dipped slightly. Durability remains a concern.
In fact, Blackmon has yet to complete a full regular season in his four-year NFL career.
That track record weakens the notion of him serving as reliable depth behind Talanoa Hufanga and helps explain why he’s still unsigned this late in the offseason, despite putting up solid stats.
Whew Julian Blackmon pic.twitter.com/xB02JuevQm
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌🏽 (@PanthersAnalyst) March 24, 2025
According to The Athletic’s David DeChant, Jourdan Rodrigue, and Vic Tafur, Blackmon played through a torn labrum in his right shoulder—an injury suffered in Week 1—yet still managed to tie for the team lead in interceptions with three, missing only one game and delaying surgery until after the season. Still, he missed several tackles, surrendered a 103.2 passer rating, and wasn’t the same impactful player he usually is when healthy.
The underlying issue, however, is his inability to stay on the field. Injuries have repeatedly derailed his career, and although he re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal last offseason, his latest setback clouds his value once again.
The Athletic ranked him as the 10th-best safety and 130th overall free agent. By comparison, Hufanga was listed as the No. 2 safety and 20th overall player in the 2025 free agent class.
Julian Blackmon Could Be Expensive Luxury
Camryn Bynum was ranked just one position and two overall spots lower than Julian Blackmon. Bynum, who used to start for the Minnesota Vikings, signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Colts—Blackmon’s current team—during this offseason’s free agency period.
According to Over The Cap, the Broncos have $16.5 million in available cap space.
Spotrac estimates Blackmon’s market value at around $8 million per year, suggesting a possible contract of three years and $24 million.
JB scooped it right off the goal line!
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/YbfBlw2vS8
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 1, 2024
Talanoa Hufanga, who has missed 17 games over the last two seasons, is under a three-year, $39 million contract. Brandon Jones, another safety, is in his second year with Denver on a three-year, $20 million deal.
Denver also has former starter P.J. Locke, along with backups Delarrin Turner-Yell, Devon Key, and JL Skinner on the roster.
Given the current depth and salary cap considerations, signing Blackmon might be more of a luxury than a necessity for the Broncos.
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