New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced that the club has agreed to terms with free agent safety Julian Blackmon. Here are five things to know about the Saints roster addition:
- Blackmon joins the Saints with five seasons of NFL experience, all with the Indianapolis Colts. Blackmon appeared in 66 games (62 starts), racking up 293 tackles (220 solo), 1.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, including one returned for a 17-yard touchdown, 21 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries,
- Blackmon suffered a torn labrum in Week 1 of the 2024 season, but still managed to start a career-high 16 games. Last season, he recorded 86 tackles, half a sack, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and four passes defensed.
- During his time in Indianapolis, Blackmon was regularly involved in community efforts. He helped with events like the Colts Unified Flag Classic, the Hispanic Heritage football camp and book fair, mobile food pantry distributions, local hospital visits and playground builds in the greater Indianapolis area. In 2024, Blackmon participated in the My Cause My Cleats initiative with his cleats supporting the Soifua Foundation in honor of his Samoan heritage, an organization that supports Polynesian youth by providing educational assistance.
- Drafted in the third round (85th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah, Blackmon played four seasons with the Utes (2016-19) where he appeared in 48 games with 39 starts and recorded158 tackles (118 solo), 1.5 sacks, 8.5 stops for a loss, 29 pass breakups, nine interceptions, and two forced fumbles. He was selected as a consensus All-American his senior year in 2019 after he started 12 games and tallied 60 tackles (41 solo), 1.5 sacks, four stops for a loss, eight pass breakups, a team-high four interceptions and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles. He reunites with former Utes teammates safety Terrell Burgess and Nephi Sewell on the Saints.
- The Layton, Utah native attended Layton High School where he played cornerback and wide receiver where he accumulated career defensive totals of six interceptions and 52 tackles and offensive totals of 51 receptions for 940 yards and nine touchdowns.
New Orleans Saints announced the club has agreed to terms with free agent safety Julian Blackmon to a one-year contract. Check out Blackmon in action with the Indianapolis Colts during his NFL career.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) celebrates an interception by Julian Blackmon in the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) runs back an interception to score a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) runs back an interception to score a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. The Texans defeated the Colts 23-20.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) drops into coverage during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept 24, 2023 in Baltimore. The Colts defeated the Ravens 22-19.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) is tacked by Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) during the first half of of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) celebrates during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) runs with the ball after making an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) drops into coverage during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 26-23.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) during a NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) and safety Julian Blackmon (32) react during an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Chiefs, 20-17.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) in coverage during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Chargers won 20-3.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL pre-season football game, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, in Philadelphia.
Los Angeles Chargers' Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Julian Blackmon (32) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 26, 2022, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) makes an interception over Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) celebrates after making an interception during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) celebrates a defensive stop during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 16-10.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) recovers a fumble by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) runs after intercepting a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during the second half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) defends against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) signals a call as he gets set on defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Steelers 27-24.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (23) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 16-10.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) points out a coverage during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 in Indianapolis. The Lions defeated the Colts, 24-6.
Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) brings down New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass.
