Julian Blackmon spent a notable amount of time on the free agent market, but he ultimately re-signed with the Colts. Indianapolis has one starting safety spot locked up as a result, but the other is up for grabs. 
Similar to slot corner Kenny Moore, Blackmon is a rare known commodity in the Colts’ secondary at the moment. The team has a number of options at both the cornerback and safety positions, many of whom are lacking in experience. At the latter spot, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II are the primary contenders for a starting position.
It was Cross who took the majority of first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp, James Boyd of The Athletic writes (subscription required). The 2022 third-rounder entered the league with high expectations, and he earned a start in each of his first two games during his rookie season. Between that point and the final two weeks of the 2023 campaign, however, Cross was relegated to backup duties.
The 22-year-old has primarily played on special teams to date, but he has contributed 56 tackles, one interception and two pass deflections on defense. Cross was replaced as a starter by veteran Rodney McLeod Jr. in 2022, but no such presence is on the Colts’ safety depth chart at the moment. Ronnie Harrison Jr. has spent considerable time on the backend in his career, but Boyd notes he is likely to remain in the linebacking role he took on with Indianapolis last season.
Thomas (a seventh-rounder in Cross’ draft class) has 34 appearances and 25 starts to his name. He has produced six interceptions and 10 pass deflections, but struggles in coverage have been a factor in his career as well. The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and he could essentially swap roles with Cross with respect to third phase duties if the spring pecking order carries over into the season.
Indianapolis selected Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round of this year’s draft, giving the team developmental backup safety options. Several veterans at the position remain unsigned, however, and members of that group are not expected to cost much for interested teams. To little surprise, then, Boyd echoes previously-expressed sentiments that the Colts could be suitors for an addition capable of pushing Cross and Thomas for starting duties. Indianapolis currently has nearly $26MM in cap space.