Even before the madness of free agency arrives, moves are being made in the NFL as teams look to improve during the vital time of the offseason. The Indianapolis Colts are no different, facing upcoming months that will be crucial to the development of the roster.
Despite going 10-6 and reaching the AFC divisional round, the Colts still have plenty of work to do this offseason. While no offseason is ever perfect for any team, there is always the hope they can achieve that objective, especially with the immense resources at Chris Ballard’s disposal.
Let’s take a look at how the Colts can realistically walk away with the perfect offseason:
Sign Trey Flowers or Preston Smith in free agency
The Colts defense improved in 2018, but there are still holes to fill at all three levels of the unit. The biggest priority over the next few months is to find an edge rusher that can make an immediate impact rushing the passer, first and foremost.
With the most salary cap space in the league, the Colts must walk away with one of the top edge rushers available. Ideally, that comes in the form of either Trey Flowers or Preston Smith. Both players have the prowess to impact the quarterback while also providing a strong set edge against the run. They are also a versatile piece along the line.
Neither is perfect, nor will they solve all of the unit’s problems, and the Colts will likely have to pay up for one of them. However, if Ballard can enter the draft having one of those pass rushers on the roster, the offseason has started on the right foot.
Still invest early in the defensive line in the draft
Even if the Colts were to sign Flowers or Smith, that doesn’t mean they can exit the draft without adding more depth to the front. Investing one of their early picks in a versatile, impactful defensive lineman will go a long way.
Preferably using the No. 26 or 34 overall pick in the draft, the Colts should use one of those selections to bring in a pass rusher, edge or interior. It isn’t clear which prospects will be available but in a deep defensive draft, there will certainly be options to choose from.
Some prospects that would work well realistically that come to mind include Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, Charles Omenihu and Jerry Tillery to name a few.
Sign a starting caliber safety in free agency
When talking solely about needs on the roster, the safety position is arguably the top position on the list. Only Malik Hooker has significant playing time on the roster right now as most of the room is entering free agency.
This should lead the Colts to using some of their absurd salary cap space on a starting caliber safety. The two that come to mind when talking about a perfect fit for the Colts are Landon Collins and Adrian Amos. The former is the top safety free agent on the market but is likely going to be expensive. Still, his skill set works nicely in the scheme.
Should the Colts pass on paying up, they should target Amos, who is better in man coverage while also providing some big hits, explosion and awareness from the defensive backfield.
Find an ‘X’ receiver in the draft
Speaking of needs, it might be time to invest early in a wide receiver. Sure, they can be found everywhere if you look hard enough, but the Colts have a chance to use one of their early picks on a receiver that can start immediately while serving as the eventual successor to T.Y. Hilton as the WR1.
Ideally, the Colts would be able to find this type of receiver following the first round. This means D.K. Metcalf is out of the picture and possibly a few others. However, if the Colts were to seriously invest in the position with a selection of Kelvin Harmon, N’Keal Harry or Hakeem Butler in the second round (if any are available), the offense would be close to elite.
There’s a chance none of them are there in the second round, but all three of them would be value picks while also addressing a major need right away that will have an immediate impact if selected following Day 1 of the draft.
Re-sign Dontrelle Inman and/or another WR in free agency
Does this mean drop the bag in front of Tyrell Williams, who is likely to be the top option? Not necessarily. There are several wide receivers the Colts can sign in free agency that can provide depth, leadership and production immediately.
Re-signing Inman should be something the Colts do. He was solid down the stretch working the intermediate routes and if the Colts can exit the offseason with him as the WR3 or even WR4, that would be huge. The latter isn’t likely, but the Colts have the resources to draft a wide receiver early, re-sign Inman and bring in a free agent wide receiver.
Among those that should be targeted by the Colts include the aforementioned Williams, Adam Humphries, Golden Tate and possibly Chris Conley. If Indy brings in three new wide receivers this offseason to pair with the development of Reece Fountain and Deon Cain, they are in good shape.
Add cornerback depth in the draft
With nine picks, the Colts can address just about every need. While the cornerback position isn’t extremely high on the list, there is still a need for depth, especially if Pierre Desir leaves in free agency.
The draft should have some solid zone cornerbacks for the Colts in the middle and late rounds. With Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore returning, Indy does need to find a corner that can succeed in press coverage while also showing strong instincts and a high motor.
There are early-round options for the Colts, but if they can find a Day 2 or Day 3 corner that works in their system like Julian Love, Trayvon Mullen, Rock Ya-Sin or Mike Jackson, the secondary would improve greatly.
Use a Day 3 pick on a projectable safety
Yes, the Colts should still draft a safety even if they pay up for Collins or Amos in free agency. Could they use an early pick at the position? Absolutely. But in a perfect offseason, the Colts already have their starters entering the draft.
There are some solid top-end safeties in the draft that the Colts might not pass on like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson or Nasir Adderley. But, they can also find a prospect later to groom into the defensive scheme with a Day 3 pick to work as a depth piece early.
Some Day 3 prospects that could work include Will Harris, Mike Edwards, Delvon Randall and Mike Bell. Anyone of those prospects already fits into the Colts’ scheme and could further their development as a depth player.
Search for Anthony Castonzo’s replacement
This isn’t a major need for the Colts just yet, but it is something they need to begin thinking about. Castonzo is in the final year of his contract and while the Colts could give him another go-round on a short deal after 2019, the search for his replacement needs to begin.
In a perfect world, the Colts would find Castonzo’s eventual replacement in the draft likely with a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. An athletic offensive tackle that could serve as a depth piece for the majority of his rookie year while refining his technique and learning under a superb coaching staff.
It isn’t a necessity for the Colts to address the situation this offseason, but if they can expedite the process of finding Castonzo’s eventual successor without having to invest too heavily, that would be a win.
Find an athletic cover linebacker
The Colts have a stout middle of the defense when it comes to stopping the run. Darius Leonard and Anthony Walker are a strong duo working with their run fits and working sideline to sideline. However, the Colts could use another rangy linebacker to work as a depth piece.
Ballard will always emphasize the front seven, which is exactly why it is possible the Colts use one of their Day 3 picks on an athletic cover linebacker that might not be strong against the run but that can work in coverage.
Some prospects that come to mind initially are Kendall Joseph, Drue Tranquill and Dre Greenlaw to name a few as Day 3 picks.
