Paul Bretl
June 10, 2024 7:35 am ET
ESPNput 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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32. New York Giants
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
Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Jalen Mills, Elijah Riley
31. Denver Broncos
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 Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Jones, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell, JL Skinner
30. Detroit Lions
Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, C.J. Moore, Chelen Garnes
29. Los Angeles Rams
Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kamren Curl, Russ Yeast, Kamren Kinchens, Jason Taylor II, Tanner Ingle
28. New York Jets
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Jaylen Key
27. Seattle Seahawks
Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, K’Von Wallace, Coby Bryant, Jerrick Reed II
26. Indianapolis Colts
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison, Trevor Denbow
25. Tennessee Titans
Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A Tennessee Titans helmet sits in the end zone before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Shyheim Carter, Matthew Jackson
24. Buffalo Bills
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Cameron Lewis, Damar Hamlin
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush
22. Washington Commanders
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Dominique Hampton
21. Philadelphia Eagles
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Mekhi Garner
20. Green Bay Packers
Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Anthony Johnson Jr., Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo
19. New Orleans Saints
Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Howden, Johnathan Abram, J.T. Gray
18. San Francisco 49ers
Dec 9, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Talanoa Hufanga, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Tayler Hawkins, Malik Mustapha
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Trevon Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II, Trey Taylor
16. Atlanta Falcons
Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jessie Bates, DeMarcco Hellams, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Dane Cruikshank
15. Carolina Panthers
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Sam Franklin, Alex Cook
14. Houston Texans
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray, Calen Bullock, M.J. Stewart
13. Cincinnati Bengals
Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Geno Stone, Vonn Bell, Jordan Battle, Daijahn Anthony, Tycen Anderson
12. Jacksonville Jaguars
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Darnell Savage Jr., Andre Cisco, Andrew Wingard, Terrell Edmunds, Daniel Thomas
11. Dallas Cowboys
Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports
Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine
10. New England Patriots
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe
9. Chicago Bears
Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson
8. Los Angeles Chargers
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, AJ Finley, Jalyn Phillips
7. Arizona Cardinals
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Andre Chachere, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Trenton Thompson, Miles Killebrew
5. Miami Dolphins
Dec 29, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; A Miami Dolphins helmet rests on cooler during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris, Jason Maitre
4. Cleveland Browns
Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman, D’Anthony Bell
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather, Chris McDonald
2. Minnesota Vikings
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
1. Baltimore Ravens
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade, Ryan Cooper
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