Paul Bretl
June 20, 2024 11:31 am ET
Among the NFL’s 32 highest-paid safeties ahead of the 2024 season, no member of the Indianapolis Colts’ unit makes the list. The closest is Julian Blackmon at No. 36.
Blackmon was a free agent this past offseason and explored signing with other teams, however, he was unable to find a deal that matched what he was looking for. Instead, he returned to the Colts on a one-year deal that will pay him $3.7 million. He will again be a free agent in 2025.
Blackmon is coming off a career season in which he saw the majority of his snaps come playing closer to the line of scrimmage. Blackmon was very sound as a tackler and ranked top-five among safeties in PFF’s run-stop rate metric. In coverage, he had four interceptions, two pass breakups, and a passer rating of 57.5 when targeted.
“I think just consistency, man,”said Blackmonwhen asked what’s next for him. “Trying to even ultimately grow more as much as I can. You never got it, that’s what coach always says, and I agree with that. So for me the next thing is just understanding what else I can do. What more can I do and where can I put myself in better situations to make even more plays.”
In addition to the consistency that Blackmon is looking to build off of in 2024, staying healthy will also be an important part for him getting the pay day he’s looking for next March. In four seasons, Blackmon is yet to appear in every game.
The competition for the free safety role next to Blackmon will be one of the bigger training camp battles for the Colts this summer. Throughout OTAs and minicamp, it has been Rodney Thomas and Nick Cross sharing those starting reps. As defensive coordinator Gus Bradley noted earlier this offseason, it will be consistency that determines who is starting next to Blackmon.
Given the uncertainty at that position and now perhaps the need for added depth with Daniel Scott out for the season with an Achilles injury, if there’s a position that the Colts could add to before camp arrives, it is safety. Here is a look at the top remaining free-agent options.
With Thomas and Cross both still playing on rookie deals, they aren’t anywhere near being among the top-32 highest-paid players.
Here is a look at who the top-32 highest-paid safeties are this season by average annual value.
Contract info and rankings courtesy of Over the Cap
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32. Jeremy Chinn, Washington: $4.105M per year
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
31. Jabrill Peppers, New England: $4.50M per year
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
30. Kamren Curl, Los Angeles Rams: $4.50M per year
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
29. Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay: $4.50M per year
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
28. Xavier Woods, Carolina: $5.0M per year
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) reacts after intercepting the ball in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
27. Alohi Gilman, Los Angeles Chargers: $5.062M per year
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
26. Julian Love, Seattle: $6.0M per year
Dec 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) intercepts a pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
25. Rayshawn Jenkins, Seattle: $6.0M per year
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – JANUARY 14: Rayshawn Jenkins #2 of the Jacksonville Jaguars reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half of the game in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
24. Marcus Epps, Las Vegas: $6.0M per year
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
23. Jimmie Ward, Houston: $6.50M per year
Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans hugs safety Jimmie Ward (1) after he intercepted the ball against the Denver Broncos late in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
22. Brandon Jones, Denver: $6.667M per year
Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones (29) goes up for an interception as New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) closes in during the second half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 29, 2023.
21. Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans: $6.875M per year
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates with safety Marcus Maye (6) for stopping a punt at the 4 yard line against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
20. Geno Stone, Cincinnati: $7.0M per year
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
19. Donovan Wilson, Dallas: $7.0M per year
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
18. Malik Hooker, Dallas: $7.0M per year
Dec 4, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (28) recovers a fumble and runs it back for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
17. Juan Thornhill, Cleveland: $7.0M per year
Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill (1) and safety Ronnie Hickman (33) celebrate against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
16. Darnell Savage, Jacksonville: $7.250M per year
Green Bay Packers defensive back Darnell Savage (26) celebrates after intercepting Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) in the second half of their football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Broncos 27 to 16.
Apc Packers Vs Broncos 1065 092219 Wag
15. Kevin Byard, Chicago: $7.50M per year
Oct 14, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrates after an interception during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
14. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Philadelphia: $9.0M per year
S Chauncey (C.J.) Gardner-Johnson: Signed by Philadelphia Eagles (previous team: Detroit Lions)
13. Harrison Smith, Minnesota: $9.0M per year
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 17: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings tackles Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
12. Amani Hooker, Tennessee: $10.0M per year
Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) intercepts an Indianapolis Colts two-point conversion attempt during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023.
11. Justin Reid, Kansas City: $10.50M per year
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
10. Grant Delpit, Cleveland: $12.0M per year
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 24: Grant Delpit #22 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a play against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
9. Jalen Thompson, Arizona: $12.0M per year
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
8. Marcus Williams, Baltimore: $14.0M per year
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Marcus Williams #32 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates an interception in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
7. Budda Baker, Arizona: $14.10M per year
Dec 25, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
6. Kyle Dugger, New England: $14.50M per year
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
5. Jessie Bates, Atlanta: $16.005M per year
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
4. Xavier McKinney, Green Bay: $16.750M per year
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
3. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh: $18.247M per year
Dec 13, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
2. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers: $19.0M per year
November 13, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1. Antoine Winfield, Tampa Bay: $21.025M per year
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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