If all goes according to plan, the Indianapolis Colts will be entering free agency at the beginning of next week where they will target the defensive tackle position.
When looking at pure need, the defensive tackle position might be atop the list. Of course, the quarterback and wide receiver positions have their case as well. But the Colts rarely generated any consistent pressure from their interior defensive line, regardless of whether it was from the three-tech or the one-tech.
This leaves them with a massive need at what Chris Ballard believes is the engine of the defense. Here are six options the Colts should consider in free agency:
Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | Age: 25
This one is a no-brainer so we won’t spend too much time on it. Jones is likely to be franchise tagged by the Chiefs—the deadline is Monday at noon—so the Colts would have to trade for him. That’s unlikely to happen, but the NFL is unpredictable.
Jones would be a fantastic addition to the Colts defensive line and probably would be the perfect fit in their gap-shooting front. He has the size to line up at either interior spot and can win in several ways, both power and finesse. Unfortunately, the Colts are unlikely to get the chance to offer him.
D.J. Reader | Houston Texans | Age: 25
Reader is built more like a nose tackle, but he offers upside as a pass rusher as well. In the Colts’ one-gap front, he would help against the run while also giving the defense a boost by collapsing the top of the pocket. Reader is one of the more underrated free agents the Colts should pursue.
>>>D.J. Reader free agency profile<<<
Reader may have had only 2.5 sacks in 2019, but he also recorded 13 quarterback hits. Per Pro Football Focus, he had 36 pressures and 35 defensive stops. His size helps him plug gaps against the run while his quickness and burst would make him an underrated pass rusher in the middle of the defensive line.
Reader is likely to get a nice pay day on the market, but the Colts shouldn’t be afraid to pay him around the $12–14 million mark in terms of average annual salary. He is probably the top defensive tackle the Colts should pursue.
Javon Hargrave | Pittsburgh Steelers | Age: 27
Hargrave is interesting for the Colts. He won’t cost them a lot of money, and he should be able to fit right in as a starter on the defensive line. Over the last two seasons, Hargrave has recorded 10.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits. He also totaled 49 pressures during the 2019 season, per Pro Football Focus, which was top-10 among interior defensive linemen.
>>> Javon Hargrave free agency profile <<<
Hargrave would fit well in the Colts’ front because his main job would be to simply get upfield as consistent as possible. He could work both at the nose tackle and the three-technique if the Colts wanted a heavier package on the field.
He’s still young enough to warrant a multi-year contract and would be a nice upgrade over who the Colts currently have on the interior.
Shelby Harris | Denver Broncos | Age: 28
There are already some whispers connecting Harris and the Colts and while it remains to be seen whether they will come to fruition, the fit does seem to be a good one. Though he wouldn’t provide the Colts with elite talent on the interior, he would be an upgrade against the run while bringing some pass rush with him.
>>> Shelby Harris free agency profile <<<
Harris has been efficient in his time with the Broncos. He would be a better run-defender than he would pass rusher, but his 13 sacks in three seasons while playing fewer than 49% of the snaps in each season shows he can take advantage of his opportunities.
Harris would also be pretty cheap and while that doesn’t really matter to the Colts given their salary-cap savings, that’s always an appealing aspect to Chris Ballard.
Maliek Collins | Dallas Cowboys | Age: 24
Collins is likely a target for the Colts after the first wave of free agency hits. He doesn’t impress with any numbers, but he isn’t lacking a whole lot either. In 61 games, Collins has 40 quarterback hits, 20 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He hasn’t been the most dominant player for the Cowboys, but he’s been solid.
The Colts would likely get more out of signing Collins—both with age and production—than they would with Margus Hunt. Collins would likely play more of the one-tech for the Colts with Denico Autry and potentially a draft pick working from the three-technique. He also has a familiarity with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Collins wouldn’t be an exciting signing, but that doesn’t mean the Colts wouldn’t be upgraded by bringing him in.
Derek Wolfe | Denver Broncos | Age: 30
There are plenty of risks in bringing Wolfe in. He’s getting up their in age and his injury history shows that he has struggled staying on the field. just look back to his 2019 season that ended with a dislocated elbow. He has played a full 16 games just once since the 2015 season began.
>>> Derek Wolfe free agency profile <<<
Still, Chris Ballard mentioned this offseason that the Colts likely need more veteran presence on the defensive line. Wolfe could be intriguing in that aspect. He had 7.0 sacks in 13 games before his season ended and could provide veteran leadership for the younger players.
Wolfe would be another low-key signing that might be best suited for Ballard’s expectations, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Colts go after him during the second wave of free agency.
