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USA Today Sports Media Group

Sport

Kevin Hickey

Grading each Colts signing in free agency

The Indianapolis Colts have made a few moves in free agency, but they ultimately have been one of the quieter teams despite having the most salary cap space in the NFL.

That was to be expected as general manager Chris Ballard has emphasized getting to a point where they are re-signing their own rather than splurging to bring in outside free agents.

Because the Colts have only signed two outside free agents, we will include the re-signings in the grades as well.

K Adam Vinatieri

The man just continues to kick on. The Colts wisely signed Vinatieri to a one-year extension well before the new league year began in the middle of March. It wasn’t clear if he was going to return, but the Colts welcomed him back without hesitation.

Coming in on a one-year, $3.8 million deal, Vinatieri will likely be given the contract he desires for as long as he can prove to be a productive kicker. He had a solid season in 2018 and showed there are no signs of slowing down for the oldest player in the league.

With so many issues regarding consistency with kickers across the league, this was a no-brainer for the Colts.

Grade: A

OL Mark Glowinski

The next extension the Colts gave out was to Glowinski, which was smart to not let him see the market where he likely would have seen an increase in average annual pay. However, the Colts got him for cheap on a three-year, $18 million extension.

An underrated part of the success on the offensive line in 2018, Glowinski was a strong fit at right guard working between center Ryan Kelly and rookie right tackle Braden Smith. He wound up securing a starting role and a nice contract extension.

Given the rate that guards are going in the market, Glowinski’s contract is a win if he can continue to play at the level he did in 2018.

Grade: A-

DL Margus Hunt

While Hunt will be entering his age-32 season, he is coming into his own working in the Colts’ aggressive, one-gap defensive front. The decision to move him from the edge to the shade proved to be wise as he was a consistent disruptor on the interior.

Hunt’s sacks might have fallen off during the second half of the season, but he still showed an innate ability to get upfield and collapse the top of the pocket. He didn’t always do it with consistency, but he did enough to earn a second contract.

It’s tough to complain about a two-year, $9 million extension for a locker room leader and strong playmaker. The only concern is whether Hunt can continue to produce at his age.

Grade: B

CB Pierre Desir

Even with the signing, the Colts need to add some depth to the cornerback room in the 2019 draft. However, re-signing Desir was a wise move to bring some veteran experience back into the room. While his three-year, $25 million deal might look like a lot, it’s a great contract for the Colts.

Desir has already made his $9 million guaranteed for the 2019 season. He’s owed $6.5 million and $7 million in base salary over the next two seasons, respectively, which means the Colts can cut him without any dead cap.

Desir is a solid fit for the Colts’ scheme. They needed to add some starting quality to the room and who better than a player that finished the season strong in 2018?

Grade: B

S Clayton Geathers

With a need to add to the safety room, the Colts wound up bringing back Geathers on a one-year deal, reportedly worth up to $2.75 million, per Joel A. Erickson of Indy Star.

Clayton Geathers signed a one-year deal worth up to $2.75 million, $1.25 million is guaranteed.

Base salary: $1.25 million
Signing bonus: $500K
Roster bonus: $62.5K for every game on 46-man roster, counts $750K against cap. Cap hit is $3 million

— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 26, 2019

Geathers will be returning on a prove-it deal as he looks to finally piece together a full season. It’s a good signing that can add depth to the safety room, but it isn’t one that necessarily makes the group better. It does bring back a leader in the locker room and a captain on the field.

Regardless, the Colts get another chance to see if Geathers can stay healthy and while the details of the contract remain to be reported, a one-year deal with their amount of cap space in nothing to fuss over. This is a good, not great, signing.

Grade: C+

WR Devin Funchess

The first signing of free agency for the Colts in terms of an outside free agent, Funchess was a bit of a surprise. The Colts were quiet during the early portion of the open market, but the Funchess signing basically came out of nowhere.

On a one-year deal worth up to $13 million, some will say the Colts overpaid for a wide receiver that hasn’t yet hit his potential. However, with how much cap space they have and the fact its a one-year deal, the price really doesn’t matter.

I like the potential but I’m not ready to crown Funchess the WR2 just yet. This is a wait-and-see situation, but he does have some nice traits that could work with development. Still, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Colts.

Grade: C+

DE Justin Houston

The Colts addressed their biggest need of the offseason in the form of Houston, who should bring an immediate impact to the defensive line and pass rush.

Working more as a pass rusher, dropping less in coverage and focusing on a singular gap should help Houston with consistency and staying healthy. He should be able to transition to defensive end with ease, but that remains to be seen.

On a two-year, $24 million deal, the Colts are getting a potential difference-maker in the pass rush department. He should be able to provide the Colts with immediate help getting after the quarterback. It’s a strong move to address one of the biggest needs on the roster.