Saints Sign Tyrann Mathieu’s Replacement To New Contract

Julian Blackmon, New Orleans Saints, Agree to Contract

The 2024 season was perhaps the best of Julian Blackmon’s young career. Starting and appearing in 16 games, the veteran finished the season with three interceptions, four passes defended, 0.5 sacks, 86 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, and a 69.3 PFF grade, the 30th-best mark in the league. Blackmon helped the Colts secondary defend the pass, but it wasn’t enough to get the team into the playoffs.

Julian Blackmon originally entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Selected by the Indianapolis Colts, the Utah product immediately earned a starting job on Frank Reich’s defense. Appearing in 15 games while making 14 starts, the rookie finished his inaugural season with two interceptions, six passes defended, 42 tackles, and three tackles-for-loss. The Colts made the playoffs with a veteran Philip Rivers leading the charge but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.

Blackmon retained his starting job in 2021 and played well early in the season. Unfortunately, the safety suffered an Achilles injury in practice and cut his season short after just six games. During his truncated season, the safety recorded one pass defended, one forced fumble, 34 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and a 60.7 PFF grade.

The safety returned to the field in 2022 and recaptured his solid play. Appearing in 14 games while making 11 starts, the Utah product finished the year with one interception, two passes defended, 50 tackles, and a 62.3 PFF grade.

Julian Blackmon entered the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 and responded with the best season of his career. Fully recovered from the Achilles injury, the former third-round pick recorded four interceptions, eight passes defended, 88 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and a 68.3 PFF grade in 15 games.