The Indianapolis Colts will have a number of difficult decisions to make throughout the offseason, including which impending free agents to re-sign and which players to let walk.
The Colts have over 20 impending free agents when considering unrestricted, restricted and exclusive rights free agents set to hit the market. But which ones should the Colts let walk into free agency?
Here are five impending free agents the Colts should let walk:
Ryan Grant | WR | Age: 28
Following a failed physical with the Baltimore Ravens, which nullified a massive contract in the 2018 offseason, the Colts signed Grant to a one-year deal hoping he could solidify the wide receiver room opposite T.Y. Hilton.
Though he was given the opportunity to keep the job, Grant struggled to make much of an impact throughout the season. In 14 games, Grant caught 35 passes for 334 yards and just one touchdown.
Despite the fact that the Colts need to add depth to the wide receiver corps, the answer won’t be in bringing Grant back for another contract.
Ryan Hewitt | TE | Age: 28
After being cut by the Cincinnati Bengals following the massive roster cuts before the regular season, Hewitt was added to the tight end room at a time when the Colts didn’t know who their No. 3 tight end would be.
Hewitt’s role in the offense was as a blocker, which is vital to success, but he was extremely one dimensional. Though his one catch on the season was a touchdown reception in the regular season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
With Mo Alie-Cox emerging as a solid blocker while also mixing in a few big plays, the Colt should let him develop into the role Hewitt held in 2018.
Hewitt would be cheap if the Colts wanted to bring him back, but it would seem unnecessary with the emergence of Alie-Cox having a strong season.
Al Woods | DT | Age: 31
Making a decision on Woods won’t be easy given his status in the locker room as a leader and the character of the man, but the veteran is set to be 32 years old in March on a defensive line that continues to get younger.
Woods held a starting role playing mostly the one-technique throughout the first half of the season. However, as other players got healthier, Woods saw his snap count diminish in the second half of the season. Down the home stretch, Woods was playing roughly 25 percent of the snaps each game.
With a draft flush with defensive talent and Grover Stewart having a solid second half, the Colts should let Woods hit free agency after two solid seasons holding down the interior.
Matt Slauson | OL | Age: 32
Starting the season at the right guard position, Slauson played the first five games before suffering a season-ending injury that was very close to having long-term implications on his life.
Despite the injury, the Colts kept Slauson around to help groom the younger offensive linemen, which allowed the veteran to show his coaching side. His work in the locker room helped greatly as the Colts boasted one of the best offensive lines in the league.
Still, Slauson turns 33 in February and with Mark Glowinski extended, the former is likely to hit free agency. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Colts bring Slauson back as an assistant coach if he had interest.
Mike Mitchell | S | Age: 31
Just as the first half of the season was coming to a close, the Colts found a gem in Mitchell, who helped provide some stability to the secondary. Not only was he a strong performer on the field, but he was also a locker room leader.
Mitchell helped turn Quincy Wilson’s season and possibly career around and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award in his first game with the Colts. Despite the lack of depth in the safety room, Mitchell should be allowed to walk.
Set to be 32 years old in June, Mitchell might not be in the plans even though he expressed interest to return as long as it’s not on a veteran minimum deal, which is what he played on in 2018. There’s a good chance the Colts hit the draft hard to find depth in the safety room rather than re-signing Mitchell.
