The Indianapolis Colts have watched most of the teams in the NFL spend big money during the initial wave of free agency, which was to be expected.
Looking to not overpay, general manager Chris Ballard has kept the Colts relatively quiet throughout the legal tampering period. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and there are still intriguing options on the market.
Here are six free agents the Colts can still consider signing:
S Adrian Phillips
The safety market has been an extremely active one since teams have been allowed to negotiate and while nothing is official until 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, most of the top options are gone.
However, Phillips is still an intriguing target. He’s a versatile player that can work along the secondary while providing depth and experience. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018 on special teams and has the skillset to work in the two-high defense.
WR Golden Tate
The wide receiver market has been a quiet one early in free agency. Even the Colts have dabbled bringing in Devin Funchess on a one-year deal. They could be looking to do something similar with Tate, which provide some stability in the room.
Even with signing Funchess and re-signing Chester Rogers, the Colts don’t have much depth behind T.Y. Hilton. Tate is a perfect fit for the Colts offense and could be someone they target for a short-term deal to provide some stability.
EDGE Justin Houston
After trying to trade him, the Chiefs released the veteran Houston, who is coming off of a season in which he recorded 9.0 sacks. He isn’t the pass rusher he once was, but that doesn’t mean the Colts shouldn’t have interest.
Houston would still be able to provide the Colts will a presence on the edge and depth in the pass rush department. He, too, would likely come on a short deal given that he’s entering his age-30 season and working in a more specific role might do some good for his longevity.
S Tre Boston
After having another solid campaign working on a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, Boston could be a target the Colts look at as a depth piece in the safety room. He’d work well in the two-high system Indy runs, especially when working in a deep half zone.
Boston recorded nine passes defended and three interceptions during the 2018 season and in a loaded safety market, he could continue to get overlooked. The Colts had some interest in Boston during the 2018 offseason.
WR Chris Conley
If the Colts wanted to take another flier on a wide receiver, Conley is their guy. A shared history with Ballard, Conley is extremely athletic and fits the mold the Colts like in their wide receivers. A change of scenery might do well for the former third-round pick.
Conley hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations in Kansas City. He’s gotten lost in the mix and while he recorded a career-high five touchdown receptions in 2018, he’s likely to be a bargain in free agency.
DT Darius Philon
A model of consistency over the past two seasons, Philon has recorded 4.5 and 4.0 sacks in that span, respectively. He could be a mid-tier free agent the Colts target to help bring some aid to the interior pass rush.
Philon could be a versatile piece for the Colts on the interior. He has the positional flexibility to work both at the one-technique and the three, though it remains to be seen how the Colts view him. He’s an under-the-radar free agent but one the Colts can consider after the initial wave.
