Rams should consider signing ‘stalwart defender’ at safety

Ex-Colts star Julian Blackmon is still searching for a new home

The Los Angeles Rams could always use more depth in the secondary, particularly at safety. Currently, the Rams have John Johnson III, second-year stud Kamren Kinchens, Quentin Lake and Jaylen McCollough at the position. L.A. could bolster its depth by signing a “stalwart defender” in free agency.

Former Colts safety Julian Blackmon remains unsigned after spending his first five NFL seasons in Indianapolis. USA Today writer Tyler Dragon included Blackmon on his list of the top 10 players still available in his April 4 column:

“Blackmon has been a stalwart defender in the Indianapolis secondary for the last five years. He’s coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles. Blackmon’s 73.5 coverage grade ranked 15th amongst qualifying safeties, per Pro Football Focus.”

Blackmon had a career year in 2023 when he amassed 88 combined tackles, 4 interceptions, 5 tackles for loss and 8 passes defensed. The production carried over to last season while Blackmon was in a contract year. He even collected a career-high 13 combined tackles—including 10 solo—during Indy’s Week 1 loss to the Texans.

Unfortunately, Blackmon had a significant shoulder injury last season that likely impacted his free agency prospects. Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star reported that the defender played through a torn rotator cuff that he suffered in the season opener. Blackmon went on to miss the Colts’ next game against the Packers at Lambeau Field because of the injury.

Safety is far from the Rams’ top need with the draft two weeks away. However, adding someone like Blackmon with his veteran experience would make a strong defense on paper even more dangerous. Blackmon will only be 27 heading into the 2025 campaign.

Ideally, signing him would provide L.A. with a low-risk, high-upside playmaker in the secondary. Pairing him alongside the promising Kinchens would give Los Angeles a dangerous and dynamic safety tandem.

Of course, the Rams could go safety in the draft and squash all of this daydreaming. That is the more likely scenario, but probably not in the first round, as there doesn’t appear to be a consensus pick for L.A. in any of the mock drafts out there.

For now, it’s nice to dream about all the ways the Rams could improve ahead of what could be another special season under Sean McVay.