Colts’ Young Cornerbacks Show Grit Amid Defensive Collapse vs. 49ers
The Colts' Monday night loss to the 49ers was as lopsided as the scoreboard suggested - 48-27, and it didn’t feel that close. The defense struggled across the board, from the front seven to the secondary. But before we point fingers squarely at Indy’s trio of young cornerbacks - Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, and Cameron Mitchell - let’s take a closer look at what really went down.
On paper, the numbers weren’t kind to the Colts' corners. Pro Football Focus handed out some brutal grades, especially to Edwards and Blackmon. But the film tells a more nuanced story - one of inexperience, yes, but also of effort, positioning, and a defensive game plan that left them exposed.
Thrown Into the Fire
Let’s not forget: these three weren’t supposed to be the guys out there in Week 16 with the season hanging in the balance. The Colts entered the year expecting Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, and Jaylon Jones to handle perimeter duties, with Kenny Moore locking down the slot. They even brought in veterans like Xavien Howard and Sauce Gardner at different points to bolster the secondary.
Fast forward to Monday night - Ward, Walley, and Gardner were all out due to injury. Howard’s comeback attempt never really materialized, and Jones, though active, has been used more at safety than corner after dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. That left Blackmon, Edwards, and Mitchell - with fewer than 100 combined career games - to hold the line against a scorching-hot Brock Purdy and one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses.
To put that in perspective, Charvarius Ward alone has 109 games and 96 starts under his belt. The Colts' young trio? Still learning on the fly.
Edwards: Better Than the Grade
Edwards, who drew the lowest coverage grade of the night, didn’t exactly have a highlight reel performance - but he wasn’t getting torched, either. He gave up completions, yes, but he was often in the right position. What beat him wasn’t blown assignments or poor technique - it was the physicality and precision of San Francisco’s receivers.
Jauan Jennings and George Kittle are known for their ability to win contested catches, and they showed why. Edwards was in the mix, but sometimes, even perfect coverage isn’t enough when you’re facing elite ball skills and sheer strength.
Blackmon’s Misstep - and the Bigger Picture
Blackmon did get cleanly beaten by Demarcus Robinson for the 49ers’ first touchdown, and there’s no sugarcoating that. It was a bad rep. But context matters.
On that play, the Colts’ safeties were out of position. Strong safety Nick Cross was playing up near the line of scrimmage, essentially functioning as an extra linebacker to help stop Christian McCaffrey, who was slicing through the defense all night.
Camryn Bynum drifted to the right, leaving the middle of the field wide open. Blackmon had no help over the top - and Robinson took full advantage.
A Defense in Disarray
The Colts' front seven didn’t do the secondary any favors. They failed to generate consistent pressure on Purdy, which has been a recurring issue this season. But what really stood out Monday was how ineffective they were against the run - something that hasn’t been a major problem for most of the year.
McCaffrey found daylight all night long, exploiting gaps between the tackles and forcing Cross to abandon his coverage responsibilities just to keep the run game from completely taking over. That left the young corners on an island, play after play.
When a defense can’t stop the run and can’t rush the passer, it puts enormous strain on the secondary - especially one filled with players still getting their footing in the league.
Looking Ahead
This wasn’t a good game for the Colts’ defense. No one’s pretending otherwise. But it’s important not to let one rough outing - against one of the NFL’s best offenses - define the narrative around these young corners.
Blackmon, Edwards, and Mitchell are raw, but there’s something to work with. They weren’t overwhelmed.
They weren’t lost. They were just outmatched by a better team and put in a tough spot by circumstances beyond their control.
Ideally, the Colts get Gardner and Walley back healthy next season. Maybe Jones returns to form and reclaims a starting role. But even if that happens, this team will need depth at corner - and Monday night showed that these young guys, with more seasoning, could be part of that solution.
The Colts’ problems on defense go far beyond three young corners. The pass rush, run fits, and safety play all broke down against San Francisco. Blaming Blackmon, Edwards, and Mitchell for the loss misses the bigger picture.
They didn’t shine, but they didn’t fold, either. And in a game where not many Colts defenders had anything to hang their hats on, that’s worth noting.