Bad News for Ex-Vikings Draftee Looking to Shine in Career’s 2nd Chapter
The Vikings decided to stay on the sidelines, a surprising move given Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s trade habits. After all, Minnesota made QB Sam Howell, DT Harrison Phillips, and CB Mekhi Blackmon ex-Vikings in August trades (which is to say nothing of the misguided move for Adam Thielen).
Showing restraint was odd, but possibly the best decision.
Over in Indianapolis, the Colts weren’t interested in demonstrating the same degree of restraint. In fact, the Colts were pretty keen to offload premier draft picks to bring in a premier player. Consider the update that arrives courtesy of Ian Rapoport: “Sources: The #Jets are trading Sauce Gardner to the #Colts. Blockbuster.”
Ex-Vikings CB Mekhi Blackmon Gets Bad News
What does it cost to pry away a young CB1? Good question.
Again, kick it over to Rapoport for the word: “The #Jets are getting 2 first-rounders and WR AD Mitchell for Sauce Gardner.” In adding two 1st-Round picks, the Jets get to continue building for the future, a wise decision since the team remains a disaster. In adding Sauce Gardner, the Colts bring a true CB1 to town who is only 25, greatly enhancing the team’s ability to compete (both now and in the future).
Why does that matter for Mekhi Blackmon? Simply because it pushes him down the depth chart.
The Colts’ secondary has ample talent. Former Vikings safety Camryn Bynum is working for the AFC South team. There are high-end corners in Charvarius Ward and Kenny Moore II, too. Tossing Gardner into that room could very plausibly lead to shutting down the skies for whichever team gets tasked with trying to pile up passing yards.
Exciting times for the 7-2 Colts on a team level. Shrinking things down to an individual level for Blackmon means a less exciting development.
The 26-year-old ex-Vikings corner has been playing a decent amount with his new team. Across nine games, Blackmon has earned six starts alongside a career-high 465 defensive snaps.
All things considered, Blackmon has been offering sturdy play. Quarterbacks are putting up a humdrum 77.6 passer rating when targeting the corner. He has seen 29 passes completed on 45 targets for 276 yards — good for a 9.5 yards-per-completion average — alongside 2 touchdowns. Not elite, but quite solid for a CB3.
On a more basic level, Blackmon sees himself at 43 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 5 passes defended.
For the most part, Mekhi Blackmon has been operating as an outside corner despite standing at 5’11” and weighing 178 pounds (PFF). There have been 360 snaps along the outside. Otherwise, Blackmon has 56 snaps in the slot, 47 in the box, and 3 along the defensive line.
Where do these snaps go now that Sauce Gardner is in town?
The No. 4 selection from 2022 stands at 6’3″ and has an impressive résumé. Already, Gardner has been a first-team All Pro a pair of times. Some Pro Bowl trips. There was the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Few, if any, offer as much upside as Mr. Gardner. Blackmon’s job along the outside is going to get taken.
Note, however, that Ward is on the IR. So, Blackmon could function as an injury-fill for a time. Plus, Xavian Howard retired, further depleting the Colts’ corner depth. Blackmon could keep seeing snaps, but he’s being listed as the backup to Gardner on the Indianapolis depth chart. The listed starters are Gardner, Moore, and Jaylon Jones.
The Vikings and Colts won’t play in 2025. The lone exception that could arise is if both make it to the Super Bowl. Since Indianapolis is in the AFC while Minnesota the NFC, the two teams could battle for the Lombardi, as unlikely as that is.
Next up for the Vikings is a Ravens game. Meanwhile, the Colts will take on the Falcons. We’ll see what kind of job Mekhi Blackmon has.
