Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon has been working on transitioning to the strong safety position during OTAs this offseason.
Blackmon started 31 games at free safety in his first three seasons with Indianapolis.
Blackmon will most likely be competing with second-year player, Nick Cross for the starting strong safety position in 2023.
“It’s more productive, honestly. You have to really tune in on your keys. I think that’s the biggest thing that’s a difference,” Blackmon told reporters Friday. “At free safety, it’s more instinctual whereas at strong, it’s much more vocal. I just have to pay attention to my keys and understand what I’m supposed to be looking at pre-snap and I’ll be good from there.”
Blackmon is also entering a big year as it’s the final season of his rookie contract. He stepped up in a big role down the stretch of the 2022 season as the nickel defender when Kenny Moore II was injured.
With Rodney Thomas II capturing the free safety role, Blackmon will be able to work closer to the line of scrimmage while still offering some coverage skills as a nickel defender if needed.