As the sports world comes to a screeching halt, the NFL continues to move on with free agency. The legal tampering period opens Monday at noon, which means the Indianapolis Colts will be able to negotiate with impending free agents.
Nothing is official until the start of the new league year, which is Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET. The Colts are among the teams with the most salary-cap space in the entire league—even after the contract extension for Anthony Castonzo. They are expected to be active in the market, but they shouldn’t be expected to splurge.
The big board helps organize which players should be a top priority for the Colts in free agency. Here’s a look at ranking the top 30 players set to hit the market for the Colts:
1. Dak Prescott, QB: By the time of reading, Prescott could very well be franchise tagged by the Cowboys. If he somehow hits the market (he won’t), the Colts should throw everything they can at the 26-year-old.
2. Byron Jones, CB: The top non-quarterback free agent. Jones would be a fantastic addition for the Colts secondary, giving them three above-average starters. He’s still young (27), has experience in Matt Eberflus’ system, can play cornerback and safety and has been one of the top cover corners in the league.
3. D.J. Reader, DT: Needing help on the interior, Reader offers versatility and production. At 25 years old, Reader is great at stopping the run but has shown plenty of upside to give push as a pass rusher.
4. Amari Cooper, WR: The top wideout on the market is going to get paid. There are legit concerns about his consistency, but Cooper is a polished route runner and an explosive talent. He’s a WR1 even with some concerns about drops.
5. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE: Clowney will command top-dollar on the market, which could push the Colts away. He hasn’t given elite pass-rushing production, but whatever team signs him is going to get a beast. They will just have to pay up.
6. Graham Glasgow, Guard: The Colts don’t have a massive need on the offensive line, but Glasgow would be an upgrade over Mark Glowinski, who could then work more in a reserve role. Glasgow allowed five quarterback hits and no sacks on 872 snaps in 2019, per Pro Football Focus.
7. Javon Hargrave, DT: A versatile piece on the interior, Hargrave would fit nicely in the one-gap front for the Colts. He constantly applies pressure on the quarterback and has the size to work at the nose if needed.
8. Joe Thuney, Guard: One of the reasons behind the Patriots’ strong offensive line, Thuney would be a fantastic addition for the Colts. He allowed just one sack and four quarterback hits in 2019, per Pro Football Focus.
9. Tom Brady, QB: Brady had to make the list at some point even if I believe he will re-sign with the Patriots. Brady in a Colts uniform would be odd, but the greatest quarterback of all time has to be in consideration for a quarterback-needy team.
10. Arik Armstead, EDGE: Coming off of a career-year, Armstead led the 49ers in sacks (10) and was second in quarterback hits (18). There is risk given his one good year of production, but he has the tools to be strong in the aggressive front for the Colts.
11. Philip Rivers, QB: The quarterback with the biggest link to the Colts. It would be more of a surprise to see Indy go against its preachings to sign a declining veteran quarterback, but the fit is there if the Colts are willing to pay up.
12. Emmanuel Sanders, WR: He’s old (33), but Sanders is still a productive wide receiver working both on the outside and in the slot. He’d be a welcome sight for whoever is under center.
13. Dante Fowler, EDGE: Coming off of a career-year with 11.5 sacks, Fowler could be finding his groove. There is risk, but he fits well as a speed rusher in the one-gap front for the Colts. At just 25 years old, Fowler’s game could be making strides.
14. Robert Quinn, EDGE: If the Colts want to bring in a productive veteran, Quinn is 30 years old but coming off of his second-best season with 11.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 22 quarterback hits. He’s a sleeper to sign with Indy.
15. Shelby Harris, DT: More of a run-stuffer, Harris would be a nice fit at the one-technique for the Colts. He’s limited as a pass rusher but would be a nice addition to work in a rotation with Grover Stewart.
16. Robby Anderson, WR: A true deep threat who wins with length and speed, Anderson would help any quarterback His price might get a little high, which would push the Colts away, but his talents are more than useful in Frank Reich’s scheme.
17. Austin Hooper, TE: Tight end is definitely a need for the Colts, but they should be weary about signing one in free agency. Hooper is a solid all-around tight end and would help the offense, but this position should be a priority in the draft rather than free agency.
18. Rashard Higgins, WR: A sleeper to watch for the Colts, Higgins is the type of low-risk, high-reward free agent that Ballard likes to target. He got lost in the mix in Cleveland but can be productive when given the opportunity.
19. Shaq Lawson, EDGE: Likely getting a one-year prove it deal, Lawson would be a nice addition to shore up the edge against the run. He hasn’t shown a whole lot as a pass rusher (career-high 6.5 sacks in 2019), but he has qualities and versatility that would intrigue the Colts.
20. Maliek Collins, DT: His age (24) makes him intriguing in a deep crop of interior defensive linemen. Collins is a run-stuffer with limited upside as a pass rusher but would be an upgrade over the depth the Colts have there now.
21. Jabaal Sheard, EDGE: Sheard has been great for the Colts as a leader and a consistent producer on the edge. But his time might be through in Indy. He could be back if Chris Ballard wants more veterans on the line, but he can’t be relied upon to carry a pass-rushing unit.
22. Jason Pierre-Paul, EDGE: Pierre-Paul hasn’t been his elite self since the fireworks incident that nearly took a hand from him. But he’s still a steady veteran edge rusher, who has 21 sacks and 36 quarterback hits in his last 26 games.
23. Chris Harris Jr., CB: Still a solid cornerback, most believe Harris Jr. is better suited for the slot at this point in his career. For what his price may be, it probably isn’t worth it for the Colts, who already have one of the league’s top young slot cornerbacks in Kenny Moore.
24. Devin Funchess, WR: Bringing back Funchess on another one-year deal wouldn’t be a bad idea, but the Colts need more top-end talent. There still is upside with Funchess, though, as long as his shoulder has healed.
25. Derek Wolfe, DT: Another veteran to target, Wolfe is constantly dealing with injuries. He did show he still has something left in the tank with 7.0 sacks in 13 games during the 2019 season. That would have been the second-most on the defense.
26. Breshad Perriman, WR: Perriman stepped up in the vertical offense of Bruce Arians in 2019. He set career-highs in receptions (36), receiving yards (645) and touchdowns (six). Still, there is a lot of risk in signing Perriman, especially in an offense that doesn’t prioritize vertical threats.
27. Logan Ryan, CB: An extremely productive cornerback, Ryan might not get enough credit for his work. At 29 years old, he’s getting up there but would be a solid depth signing for the Colts, who could use more ball production in their secondary.
28. Quinton Jefferson, DL: An underrated piece of the Seahawks defensive line, Jefferson has 6.5 sacks and 25 quarterback hits in the last two seasons. He’s a perfect target for the Colts after the first wave of free agency.
29. Teddy Bridgewater, QB: Likely to get a starting gig, the Colts should be more interested in drafting a quarterback than bringing in Bridgewater to compete with Jacoby Brissett.
30. Tajae Sharpe, WR: A new change of scenery might be needed for Sharpe, who has shown flashes during his time with the Titans.
