Jul 28, 2025; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton (15) is hit on a pass by safety Julian Blackmon (28) at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
The two biggest things that stand out about safety Julian Blackmon are his ball skills and versatility. With the New Orleans Saints losing starting safety Tyrann Mathieu to retirement the day before training camp began, the defense lost a major contributor to those two elements.
Since Mathieu arrived in New Orleans in 2022, he was tied for the team lead (with former cornerback Paulson Adebo) in interceptions with 10. He also played a versatile role that allowed him to prowl the middle of the field, play deep at safety and crash down in the box. He was a coverage player, a run stopper and a pass rusher for the Saints.
Good fortune found the team soon after Mathieu’s retirement as the Saints signed Blackmon later that day.
Blackmon has made waves at training camp. He’s reeled in at least four interceptions (some developmental drills the media doesn’t see) and quickly climbed from third team to having a stranglehold on the first team role next to free agent acquisition Justin Reid.
Blackmon’s speedy progress has been remarkable to watch. Over the final three practices in California, the safety had an interception each day. One was a well-placed pass that bounced off the hands of a receiver, a desperation heave in a simulation end-of-game situation and a deep ball that he took away during joint practices.
With seven interceptions over the last two seasons of his career, it’s no wonder why defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wanted him on one of his defenses since entering the draft in 2020.
“It feels good to be valued,” Blackmon said of Staley’s years-long pursuit. “You always feel good when you’re wanted somewhere. And to be able to play for a guy that’s been wanting me, it feels great.”
So far, Blackmon has made good on every bit of promise that traveled with him to the Big Easy. From making plays in the ball to getting involved as a run stopper and lurking underneath, the Saints may have struck gold with another late free agency signing.
