2020 will be one of the biggest off-seasons in recent Indianapolis Colts’ history. After finishing the season losing five of the final six games, the Colts finished 7-9 and have a lot of questions about their roster going into the offseason.
Indianapolis have a few free agents going into the 2020 off-season and with a projected $93 million in cap space, there is no strap for cash to keep the guys they want to.
The Colts have 14 unrestricted free agents. These players will be able to sign with anyone in March when the new league year starts.
With the Colts having a large amount of cap space to sign players, let’s look at some players the Colts should re-sign:
OT Anthony Castonzo
Pending the decision if Castonzo retires, he should be the first Colt to be re-signed this offseason.
Castonzo has been the rock at left tackle for the Colts since being drafted here in 2011, and he plays a valuable position.
At 31 years old, and feeling the best he has in his life, it should be a no-brainer the Colts keep the continuity of the offensive line in check and re-sign Castonzo to a nice, multi-year contract.
Coming off of what is arguably his best season yet, the Colts desperately need his consistent production on the left side next to All-Pro Quenton Nelson.
WR Devin Funchess
Funchess was brought in the last offseason from the Carolina Panthers to provide that big body wide receiver that the Colts haven’t had in a long time.
That didn’t last long as Funchess broke his collarbone Week 1 of the regular season and never returned to game action in 2019. He tried to get back, but the injury simply wouldn’t heal in time for him to come off the injured reserve list.
With T.Y. Hilton getting up there in age, Parris Campbell having an injury-riddled season and the lack of depth at receiver for the Colts, there should be some thought to bring back Funchess on a one-year deal again, pending his injury status.
CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Not many Colts fans know who Boddy-Calhoun is, mostly because he was a late add to the roster in December in place of slot cornerback Kenny Moore.
Moore missed the final handful of games in 2019, so the Colts needed a slot cornerback. In December they signed Boddy-Calhoun to take over and he did a fine job.
In three games his snap count rose each week, in Week 17 he played 65% of the defensive snaps. He logged 11 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. Not great numbers, but he was productive in the final three games.
With players like Quincy Wilson possibly being cut, and Rolan Milligan not producing well at slot cornerback, don’t be surprised if Boddy-Calhoun is re-signed in March.
OL Joe Haeg
The Swiss army knife of the offensive line, Haeg has been a solid backup for the Colts for the past two seasons.
Haeg at one point in his career has started at all spots on the offensive line since being drafted by the Colts in 2016.
As a backup, Haeg logged a few snaps at left guard and both right tackle when both starters, Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith both exited the game versus the Panthers Week 16.
If Ballard wants to continue to have continuity on the offensive line, whether that’s with the starters or backups, there is a good possibility the Colts should re-sign Haeg to be the “sixth man” on one of the best offensive line groups in the NFL.
