If you were expecting an aggressive free-agency approach from Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard, keep dreaming. Indianapolis’ moves so far have been on brand for Ballard, who is entering his eighth season with the franchise.
The GM said he wanted to retain his guys, and, for the most part, he has. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who never officially became a free agent after being franchise-tagged, was the headliner. The 26-year-old inked a three-year, $70 million with $46 million guaranteed. Along with linebacker Zaire Franklin signing a three-year, $31.3 million extension, here are Indianapolis’ other free-agent transactions:
In-house returns (contract details, per OverTheCap)
External arrivals
• QB Joe Flacco (1 year, up to $8.7 million, per league source)
• DT Raekwon Davis (2 years, $14 million)
Departures
• QB Gardner Minshew (Raiders)
• RB Zack Moss (Bengals)
• WR/KR Isaiah McKenzie (Giants)
• DE Jake Martin (Bears)
Indianapolis has roughly $22.4 million left in cap space, according to OTC, which could equate to a few more free-agent signings. All eyes are on Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who like Pittman, was franchise tagged and is not truly a free agent. The Colts would be naïve not to at least inquire about the defensive star and a potential trade to bring him to Indianapolis. However, there are still other players available who could help fill some of the team’s needs before April’s NFL Draft.
Here are a few player the Colts should consider:
Let’s start with Blackmon, whom I believe would be a huge loss if the Colts were unable to retain him. I understand he has some injury concerns after tearing his ACL during his final season at Utah in 2019, tearing his Achilles in 2021 and ending the 2023 season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. However, Blackmon was arguably Indianapolis’ best defensive back last season, and he thrived in his new role as a strong safety. The 25-year-old snagged a career-high four interceptions to go along with a career-high 88 tackles. When he went down in Week 15 at Atlanta, the Colts sorely missed him the rest of the season, and they’d miss him even more if he was gone for good.
Free agent safety Julian Blackmon is headed to Buffalo for a visit with the #Bills, sources tell @BleacherReport.
Blackmon has several suitors after enjoying a career season with the #Colts, which included 4 INTs. pic.twitter.com/DbhzNBhnpC
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 18, 2024
Simmons, 30, is obviously in the latter stage of his career, but he’s still a star on the backend. He’s been named a second-team All-Pro for three straight seasons and has received that honor four times overall. Simmons was cut by the Broncos solely for monetary reasons and may cost a bit more than Blackmon and other safeties. However, he is arguably the best unrestricted free agent left at any position, and his presence would instantly shore up some of the Colts’ deficiencies.
Ideally, Indianapolis would target both safeties. Together they could be the difference between their first playoff berth since 2020 or another painful regular-season finale marred by blown coverages.
Other potential fits: Kyle Dugger, Quandre Diggs
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Nelson and Gilmore offer experience and production the Colts’ cornerback room sorely lacked last season. Moore, who mans the slot, was that unit’s only veteran starter, and it showed up in the worst ways on the field with Indianapolis routinely giving up explosive pass plays.
Assuming 2023 second-round pick JuJu Brents starts on the outside, Nelson would be a much better option at the other outside cornerback spot than former undrafted player Dallis Flowers or 2023 seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones. Nelson, 31, tied his career high with four interceptions last year and notched 12 pass breakups.
Gilmore is even older than Nelson at age 33, but a one-year reunion in Indianapolis is another viable option. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who was with the Colts in 2022, has lost a step. But even past-his-prime Gilmore is still a reliable starter in the NFL. Opposing QBs completed just 55.8 percent and 56.2 percent of their passes over the last two years, respectively, when targeting Gilmore.
Regardless of who they eventually choose, the Colts must upgrade at cornerback, and if they don’t do it now, they’ll be forced do it in the draft. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins and Toldeo’s Quinyon Mitchell each have star potential if Indianapolis were to select one of them with the No. 15 pick. But I think it would behoove the Colts to avoid entering the draft with such a glaring need to free them up to truly select the best player available.
Other potential fits: Xavien Howard, Levi Wallace
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Running back: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Backup running back may be an under-the-radar need, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The Colts had one of the best one-two punches in the NFL last year with Jonathan Taylor and Moss, with the latter filling in admirably as the starter for large portions of the season. With Moss striking a deal in Cincinnati, Indianapolis re-signed Trey Sermon as a potential backup behind Taylor. But the team could always use another playmaker like Edwards-Helaire to help take some pressure off second-year QB Anthony Richardson.
Edwards-Helaire isn’t a grinder like Moss, with his strength being more in his pass-catching ability. The 25-year-old hasn’t always been the most durable, but he did play in a career-high 15 games last year and registered a career-best 11.1 yards per catch. Edwards-Helaire could be the perfect check down option for Richardson while offering more experience than Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull.
Other potential fits: JK Dobbins, D’Onta Foreman
(Photo of Justin Simmons: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
