The offseason free agency period always presents tough decisions for any team, and in the case of the Indianapolis Colts, it means prioritizing certain players over others.
Linebackers Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed had great seasons and stepped up when linebacker Shaquille Leonard went down with an injury. The duo joined Zaire Franklin in becoming one of the most productive linebacker corps across the league.
Okereke had his best season in a Colts uniform, racking up 99 solo tackles (ranked seventh in the NFL), 53 stops, and two forced fumbles. Speed also had his best season and ended with 63 total tackles, 21 stops, and two forced fumbles.
The question then becomes: can you re-sign both? If not, who do you prioritize? Several Colts players were already garnering league-wide attention during the team’s decision-making process.
With this in mind, the team knew Bobby Okereke would likely command a big market and contract to match, making it tougher to bring him back. Pivoting to prioritize re-signing E.J. Speed made sense and would allow the team to build a much friendlier deal.
Speed brings quick instincts, game-changing abilities, solid tackling, and sideline-to-sideline-coverage. But, the team will miss the overall productivity of Okereke, and they will likely look to the draft to fill the void.
By adding to the position, the team can find a comparable player they can be patient with as that player matures. This year’s class brings several options that could intrigue the team. General manager Chris Ballard typically looks for players with a high motor, explosive moves, athleticism, and character.
However, with Shaquille Leonard presumably healthy as he works his way back from a nerve issue and with Zaire Franklin stepping up in a career year, the Colts have a solid trio in the middle of Gus Bradley’s defense.
So it makes sense if the Colts didn’t prioritize the position as highly as others across the roster, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if Ballard used a Day 3 pick to add some depth and upside to the room.
The 2023 NFL draft begins Thursday, April 27, in Kansas City, Mo.
