There may still be two games left to play for the Indianapolis Colts (6-8) before the season ends, but they were officially eliminated from playoff contention following the embarrassing 34-7 loss against the New Orleans Saints (11-3) on Monday night.
Now that the Colts are officially out of the playoffs, much of the focus will shift to the development of the younger players on the roster and the options available for the front office during the offseason.
While it remains to be seen if any of these players will be re-signed by their respective teams, we will be taking a look at six free agents the Colts should consider signing if they hit the market:
WR Amari Cooper
2019 stats: 14 games, 71 receptions, 1,073 yards, eight touchdowns, 15.1 yards per catch
The Colts desperately need to splurge at the wide receiver position. Given the injuries amounting in the room and T.Y. Hilton getting up there in age, it is time for general manager Chris Ballard to add some elite talent to the room. That’s where Cooper comes in.
Though it is no guarantee the 26-year-old will hit the market, Ballard should be all over him if he does. Cooper’s talent would be a perfect fit for the scheme because his talent transcends scheme. He could plug right into the X-receiver role while Hilton works as the Z.
The Colts need to find a future WR1 for their offense and if Cooper hits the market, they shouldn’t afraid to splurge.
WR Robby Anderson
2019 stats: 14 games, 47 receptions, 729 yards, four touchdowns, 15.5 yards per catch
Get used to seeing wide receivers on the list of potential free-agent candidates for the Colts. Outside of the quarterback position, adding to the wide receiver corps is the top priority. Anderson presents an intriguing case, especially when considering his ability as a vertical threat.
Anderson is still relatively young at 26 years old and could be a nice vertical threat for the Colts. Seeing as he’s already established himself in the league working downfield, it is less of a risk than rolling with a younger option the Colts found in hoping he pans out.
Anderson could be a cheaper option the Colts try to target but one young and productive enough to warrant a multi-year deal if Ballard and Frank Reich are intrigued enough.
WR Rashard Higgins
2019 stats: 9 games, four receptions, 55 yards, one touchdown, 13.8 yards per catch
In the event the Colts continue their bargain bin shopping in free agency, Higgins is a cheap option to look at. The former fifth-round pick just turned 25 years old and is set to hit the unrestricted free-agent market.
He’s not a burner, but he could find some success in the Colts’ system. He wouldn’t compete for the No. 1 role but he has proven to be successful in a depth role like he was in 2018.
Higgins hasn’t gotten much play with the Browns this season and there’s a chance he hits the market. If the Colts are looking for a cheap, relatively-high upside target, it could be Higgins.
OL Brandon Scherff
Currently the Washington Redskins right guard, Scherff could be a target for the Colts if they want to find an upgrade for Mark Glowinski, who has regressed greatly since signing that three-year extension.
A former first-round pick, Scherff has been one of the better guards in the NFL throughout his career. However, he has had a run with injuries. He hasn’t been able to play a full 16-game season since 2016 and now is looking at specialists for his shoulder and elbow injuries.
The Colts could stick with their plan of mainly building the offensive line through the draft, but if they wanted to take a chance on Scherff—if he’s healthy—it could pay off to have him next to Braden Smith on the right side.
DT Javon Hargrave
2019 stats: 14 games, 4.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, five quarterback hits
Among the top priorities this offseason for the Colts is to find better impact players on the interior defensive line. Tyquan Lewis isn’t making any impact at all while Denico Autry and Margus Hunt simply aren’t having success in rushing the passer.
Both with a chance to get younger and add talent to the interior, Hargrave is an interesting option for the Colts. At 26 years old, Hargrave is still a rotating piece for the Steelers but he brings a mean bullrush and explosiveness off the line that would work perfectly in the gap-shooting scheme for Matt Eberflus.
Hargrave also wouldn’t cost all that much so Chris Ballard wouldn’t have to worry about breaking the bank, regardless of whether they are close to leading the NFL in salary cap space.
CB Byron Jones
2019 stats: 14 games, five passes defended, 43 tackles (34 solo)
It hasn’t been a great year for Jones, but he is still one of the Cowboys’ starting cornerbacks. There is a high chance he moves on in free agency as the Cowboys have bigger priorities with Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper both needing contracts this offseason.
Jones would be able to step right into a starting role in a defensive scheme he has known his whole career. He would have plenty of familiarity with Matt Eberflus and his versatility would help him carve out an important role.
Jones also shouldn’t be too expensive in the market given that he’s recorded just two career interceptions but at 27 years old, he’d be a fine addition to the secondary.
