The NFL “legal tampering” period started Monday and there was a flurry of moves made. This is the busiest the Indianapolis Colts have been on the first day. Coming into free agency there were seven impact players for them to re-sign. So far, they re-signed Grover Stewart, Michael Pittman Jr., and Tyquan Lewis. They also reached a contract extension with Zaire Franklin.
One of the players they have to decide on is safety Julian Blackmon. The Colts’ former third-round pick has appeared in under 75% of the total games during his four years. And during his time he’s played both safety positions, having arguably his best season in 2023 while playing strong safety.
This year’s free agent class of safeties is a Who’s Who of NFL stars. The price tag for safeties in the NFL is similar to the running back position. Teams are fine with paying the best or top-tier player(s) big money, but the rest are replaceable with cheaper value. This is the situation the Colts find themselves in with Blackmon. He’s a very productive player for the team but is he worth a big contract?
They still have Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, and Daniel Scott all on their rookie contracts. Thomas and Cross could be the starters for next season, so the franchise has some flexibility in which safety position to pursue. Here are five free-agent safeties the Indianapolis Colts should get if they choose not to bring back Blackmon.
Quandre Diggs, Free Safety
Quandre Diggs, 30, is a ten-year NFL veteran who’s spent exactly five years each in Detroit and Seattle. Coincidentally, in 2019 when he was traded he played exactly five games for both Detroit and Seattle. Nevertheless, he hasn’t missed a game over the past four seasons and for his career, he’s only missed 10 games.
- 95 Tkls, 63 Solo, 1 Tfl, 5 PD, 1 Int
Diggs is also a three-time Pro Bowler and has appeared in four playoff games over three seasons. Over the past six seasons, he’s allowed a completion percentage of 60% while only missing under 13% of his tackles. With 24 career interceptions, he may not be the ball-hawking, hard-hitting, safety type as others. But Diggs is a reliable safety on the back end. And considering many miscommunications in the secondary his leadership and communication will be greatly appreciated.
Justin Simmons, Free Safety
Denver’s release of Justin Simmons surprised many, not just the Bronco’s fan base. He’s spent his entire career in Denver and is viewed as the heart and soul of the defense. But considering the team released Russel Wilson and traded away Jerry Jeudy, it certainly appears this team is going for a rebuild.
- 70 Tkls, 53 Solo, 2 TFL, 1 Sk, 8 PD, 3 Int, 2 FF, 1 FR
Simmons, 30, the two-time Pro-Bowler, will be taking up residency in a new state this season. He’ll most likely be looking for a team that can provide him with his first experience in the playoffs. Even though he’s older, he’s still playing at a very high level. For his career, he’s allowed a 67.3% completion percentage and only missing 8.6% of his tackles. Like Diggs, Simmons will bring a veteran presence and reliability to the young Colts secondary.
Jeremy Chinn, Safety
It’s time to add another local kid to the Indianapolis Colts defense in Jeremy Chinn, 26. He played his high school ball at Fishers, then played collegiately at Southern Illinois. His uncle is Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater. Chinn has only missed seven games in his four-year NFL career.
30 Tkls, 18 Solo, 2 TFL, 1 QBHit, 1 Sk, 1 PD
Chinn finished second in defensive rookie of the year playing linebacker. The following season, Carolina had him switch positions as they moved him to free safety. Then the next year he oscillated between free and strong safety. There is plenty of versatility in his game. Chinn is solid in coverage (67.6% completion percentage) and a good tackler (9.3% missed tackle percentage).
Mike Edwards, Safety
Mike Edwards, 27, may not be a household name, he is, however, a two-time Super Bowl champion. He was on the 2020 Tampa Bay team and recently the Kansas City team. He’s only missed eight games in his five-year career and is very active in disrupting the opponent’s passing game.
- 51 Tkls, 32 Solo, 2 TFL, 1 QBHit, 1 Sk, 1 Int, 5 PD
In every season he’s racked up at least three passes defended (26 total) and only his rookie season saw him not record at least one interception (8 total). For his career, he’s allowed a completion percentage of 57% and he’s only missed 8.4% of his tackles. His experience both in the NFL and in the biggest game is very valuable to a young team that has aspirations of making it there.
Jordan Whitehead, Strong Safety
Jordan Whitehead, 26, was teammates with the aforementioned Edwards, on that Super Bowl-winning Tampa Bay team. Whitehead is another player on this list who is versatile enough to play both the strong and free safety positions. His NFL success is similar to Edwards’ as well. Whitehead has recorded at least one interception in every season except his rookie year and has recorded at least four pass breakups in every year of his career.
- 97 Tkls, 65 Solo, 3 TFL, 1 QBHit, 0.5 Sk, 4 Int, 9 PD
While Whitehead has played both safety positions, there is some evidence that suggests he’s a better free safety than a strong safety. As a strong safety, he allows a 62.1% completion percentage compared to a 59.5% completion percentage as a free safety. For his career, he allows a 60.3% completion percentage. Also, his two highest seasons of missed tackles (13 & 16) came while playing the strong safety position and for his career, he has a missed tackle percentage of 12.4%.
Other safeties on the market are available and could fit better in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s defense. Regardless, the Colts need to come away with a veteran safety. Whether is bringing back Blackmon, who is familiar with the defense, or adding someone new with more NFL experience.