The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for free agency to begin this week as it is currently slated to do and with that should come some interest in the market for defensive ends.
With an abundance of salary-cap space (over $80 million), the Colts can essentially go after any free agent they want. They won’t, of course, because general manager Chris Ballard is very calculated and cautious when it comes to adding big contracts in free agency. But there are still players they should consider targeting before the price gets too out of hand.
Here are six defensive ends the Colts should consider in free agency:
Jadeveon Clowney | Seattle Seahawks | Age: 27
When the franchise tags are all official, Clowney will be the biggest fish in the free agent market. One could argue he was regardless, but it will be official by Monday. Clowney possesses all of the potential in what an elite defensive end can bring to a defense.
He’s a freak athlete that combines insane size, speed and power at one of the most crucial positions across the entire roster. There are concerns with his game of course. He’s a stout run defender and sets the edge with near perfection, but his pass-rushing leaves a little to be desired. He’s still strong in this area, but he’s never had a season with double-digit sacks.
There is also the question of durability. Over his six-year career, Clowney has missed 21 games (most of which came in 2014). But if he’s commanding $21 million per year on the market, the Colts will need availability from him.
Clowney would be intriguing to add to the defensive line and while it is unlikely the Colts will sign him when looking at the big picture, he should be considered at the very least.
Arik Armstead | San Francisco 49ers | Age: 26
Armstead is an interesting case for the Colts. He could fit well in their one-gap front, which would ask him to pin his ears back and get upfield. But there are obvious risks in the former first-round pick.
While Armstead is certainly coming off of his best season, there are concerns that it may have been a flash in the pan. His 10 sacks were the most on the 49ers roster, but they were also more than the total number of sacks he recorded during his first four years in the league combined (9.0). Did he figure something out or is regression surely to hit? Was he a product of elite players being around him on the defensive line, leaving him with more one-on-one matchups? These are the questions that must be asked.
That being said, Armstead is a strong fit for the Colts. He has the size and strength to work both on the edge and kick inside—an aspect the Colts love in their defensive linemen. He’s still young enough to warrant a multi-year deal and if he really did figure things out, he could be a steady contributor for a pass rush that needs more consistency.
Robert Quinn | Dallas Cowboys | Age: 30
Earlier in the offseason, Chris Ballard mentioned the need for more veteran presence on the defensive line. He feels that letting Al Woods go was something of a mistake in that there wasn’t enough leadership from older players in the room.
Should Ballard prefer to target this route in free agency, Quinn could be a target. Though he’s 30 years old, Quinn is coming off of his second-best season since entering the league in 2011. He recorded 11.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits in 2019—all of which were the second-highest of his career.
Quinn isn’t the All-Pro he was in 2014. His game is still serviceable, though, and could put him on the radar for Ballard if the latter is looking for a veteran on a short deal a la Justin Houston.
Dante Fowler | Los Angeles Rams | Age: 25
There is no denying the former No. 3 overall pick has been a disappointment, but there is a chance he’s finding his groove. Still just 25 years old, Fowler is an intriguing target for the Colts, especially if they feel he’s following a path of progression.
Though he recorded just 14.0 sacks in two-plus years with the Jaguars, Fowler was traded to the Rams during the 2018 season. He found his groove in 2019, recording a career-high 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
There is still a lot of upside to be had with Fowler and his price shouldn’t get completely crazy. The Colts should be looking into him as a potential piece to work alongside Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu for the future.
Shaq Lawson | Buffalo Bills | Age: 25
Though the Clemson product failed to live up to his first-round expectations, Lawson is still an interesting case for the Colts. He is a solid run defender who offers a little push as a pass rusher. His 18 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks were all career-highs in 2019 despite playing just 47% of the Bills’ defensive snaps.
Lawson didn’t always kick inside for the Bills, but he has done so in the past. This could bring some versatility to the table if the Colts wanted to use a heavier package on the edge. He wouldn’t be a signing that makes the Colts defensive line elite, but he would work well in the rotation while providing the Colts with a cheaper option in the market.
Lawson is also just 25 years old, which means the Colts could probably sign him to a one or two-year prove it deal.
Jabaal Sheard | Indianapolis Colts | Age: 30
When it comes to options on the market, Sheard has to be considered. A staple in the defensive line since he arrived in 2017, Sheard has been a leader in the locker room and a steady contributor for the Colts. But there is a high chance his time has come to an end in Indy.
Sheard is going to be 31 in May and while he has been a solid asset for the Colts, he would provide more of a stable option rather than an upside play. Sheard had 15.5 sacks over the last three seasons with the Colts and no season with more than six in a single campaign.
Sheard would be a signing to add veteran leadership to the locker room and keep some of the mentality fresh in the minds of the younger players, but he can’t be relied upon to be the game-changer the Colts are hoping to add at some point this offseason.
