Mekhi Blackmon of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after recovering a fumble
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Mekhi Blackmon of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after recovering a fumble
The Indianapolis Colts have acquired former third round draft pick, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, from the Minnesota Vikings in a trade announced late Monday night. The Colts gave up a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for the pass defender.
Blackmon was unable to build off a promising rookie campaign, as his second season was ended before it began last year.
“He appeared in 15 games as a rookie and made three starts, recording 41 tackles, three for loss and an interception. Blackmon suffered a season-ending ACL injury at the start of the 2024 Vikings Training Camp,” writes Vikings’ senior editor Craig Peters.
Mekhi Blackmon Joins Crowded Cornerback Room
Cornerback was not considered an area of concern before the addition of Blackmon. Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, and Kenny Moore are expected to highlight one of the most well equipped starting cornerback units. Xavien Howard is a more than acceptable depth piece.
Now, adding Blackmon only strengthens a unit that Paul Bretl of USA Today says the team will rely on.
“This is going to be a defensive back-reliant scheme under Lou Anarumo,” Bretl writes. “So while keeping seven cornerbacks is more than many teams will roster, I was comfortable doing so because of this malleable and disguise-heavy system that will throw a variety of looks at opposing offenses from the back end.”
Returning starter Samuel Womack is also still on roster, but this move provides uncertainty about his safety come Tuesday’s roster due date. The third-year corner had two interceptions in his first team with the season last year.
Third-year corner Juju Brents also hopes to make the roster tomorrow. The six-foot-three cornerback has little NFL production, making just 33 tackles since he was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Eventually the team will expect on field results to match the draft capital invested in the prospect.