Indianapolis Colts 2020 NFL Draft grades: Jonathan Taylor will shine

By Matt Conner | Apr 25, 2020

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA - JANUARY 30: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches during practice for Super Bowl LIV at the Greentree Practice Fields on the campus of the University of Miami on January 30, 2020 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 26 : Christopher Brown Jr. #34 of the California Golden Bears is tackled by Julian Blackmon #23 of the Utah Utes during their game at Rice-Eccles Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Utah. Julian Blackmon. 85. player. Scouting Report. S. 843

Julian Blackmon might have been termed a bit of a reach by some who had Blackmon as a lower-rated candidate on draft boards, but that’s likely due to a bit of inexperience at safety after he changed positions from cornerback for his senior season. He also suffered a season-ending knee injury in December so that’s not the best way to enter the pre-draft season.

As a safety, however, Blackmon has an ideal size and skill set as a physical player able to shed blocks and make the tackle with strong instincts and good hands. Coverage limitations kept him from being a full-time corner, but many of those skills translate and his versatility will only help the Colts.

Who knows what happened to the Malik Hooker trade rumors (or how serious to take them), but Blackmon could slide into that role, if needed.

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