Report: S Julian Blackmon to visit with 49ers Thursday

Mar 21, 2024, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:14 am

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 16: Indianapolis Colts Safety Julian Blackmon (32) defends during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The safety market is heating up in San Francisco, with Julian Blackmon reportedly coming in for a visit.

Reports surfaced Thursday morning that the former Indianapolis Colts safety would be spending time with the 49ers on a visit later in the day. The report did not specify more that that, nor included who he would be meeting with amongst the 49ers’ brass.

Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported the news Thursday.

The #49ers are visiting with Safety Julian Blackmon today, per @Schultz_Report

Blackmon is coming off a career season:

• 15 games
• 88 tackles
• 8 PBU
• 5 TFL
• 4 INT
• Cov. Grade: 72.6
• Pass Rating: 57.5

Injury History:
• 2019 – Torn ACL
• 2021 – Torn Achilles pic.twitter.com/w7iSrHSfg6
— Sterling Bennett (@49ers_Access) March 21, 2024

Julian Blackmon, 25, is coming off a career season in 2023, racked up 88 combined tackles. He also had eight pass break-ups, five tackles for loss and four interceptions, all career-highs. The University of Utah alum finished last season with a total Pro Football Focus grade of 68.3. However, he excelled in coverage, putting up a 72.6 score in 2023.

The Utah native was selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Colts. Seen as a high-potential member of the secondary, Blackmon struggled staying healthy, suffering two season-ending injuries thus far. He’s managed to rebound from both ailments quite nicely, putting up career numbers while only missing one game last season.

For the 49ers, it’s a chance to add key secondary members to a stout defense.

The Red & Gold had previously brought in veteran S Rayshawn Jenkins for a visit last week, before he eventually signed with the rival Seattle Seahawks. SF has made it a focal point to address secondary concerns this offseason. The SF Chronicle’s Mike Silver reported that former All-Pro S Talanoa Hufanga could be out of the starting group when he returns from a torn ACL next season. The 49ers’ moves since then have backed that notion, looking at a variety of high-level safeties currently on the market.

Whether they add a high-level player to compete with Hufanga remains to be seen.