Free agency is more than a week old, if you start the clock with the legal tampering period when many deals get ironed out. The Colts have made a couple of bolder investments than normal in edge rusher Samson Ebukam and kicker Matt Gay, but they have also sat out plenty of other markets at key positions thus far.
The league still has a collection of helpful veterans available at prices the Colts could consider. Indianapolis has $21.3 million available to spend and needs to find at least one more starter in free agency, plus some veterans who can compete for those spots.
Here are 12 who should be on the radar:
D.J. Chark was a 1,000-yard receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars back in 2019, when he reached the Pro Bowl.
D.J. Chark, WR
The Colts have an opening for a starting receiver after Parris Campbell signed with the Giants. Conventional wisdom says they'll go for a slot type, but with Michael Pittman Jr.'s success in those alignments, they could also get creative. D.J. Chark is a player they've seen succeed up close in Jacksonville, where he put up 1,000 yards with eight touchdowns in 2019. Injuries have cost him 23 games in the three years since, but he's still just 26. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound speed threat has ready-made chemistry with Gardner Minshew and could be an upside bet to place if his market stays as quiet as it's been.
Pro Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin was one of the leaders on the Jacksonville Jaguars defense the past two seasons.
Shaquille Griffin, CB
With Stephon Gilmore traded to the Cowboys and Brandon Facyson off to the Raiders, the Colts suddenly have a need for cornerbacks with the length to fit Gus Bradley's Seattle-style, press-man scheme. At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Shaquille Griffin was drafted right into that system with the Seahawks in 2017. A back injury limited him to five games with the Jaguars last season, and durability is now a question mark for the 27-year-old. But the 2019 Pro Bowler could fit into an outside spot if those injuries can offer a discount on the price.
Rock Ya-Sin spent his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a 2019 second-round pick out of Temple.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
If the Colts want a cornerback who fits the scheme and the locker room, they could sign back an old friend. Rock Ya-Sin went to Las Vegas in the trade for Yannick Ngakoue last spring, right after the 2019 second-round pick out of Temple had his best year with the Colts. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, his physical approach fits this scheme better than it did the one Matt Eberflus ran. The 26-year-old should command solid starter money, but it could be a way to go with Kenny Moore II and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. entering contract seasons.
Right guard Dalton Risner was one of the leaders of the Denver Broncos the past few seasons.
Dalton Risner, OG
The Colts have yet to add anyone to an offensive line that collapsed with internal promotions at key spots last year, and that will need to change. The one logical spot for a veteran starter is right guard, and Dalton Risner is the best on the market. The 2019 second-round pick has started all but four games in four seasons. At 6-5 and 312 pounds, the 27-year-old represents the opposite build Danny Pinter brought last year and could help form a steady interior pocket for whichever rookie eventually steps in at quarterback.
The New England Patriots selected left tackle Isaiah Wynn in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Isaiah Wynn, OT
Indianapolis could also look for a player to compete with Bernhard Raimann at left tackle, where it will need a long-term solution to have a chance at developing a first-round quarterback. Isaiah Wynn was a first-round pick out of Georgia in the 2018 draft. The 6-2, 310-pounder started 40 games for the Patriots before having an apparent falling-out and hitting free agency. He's a talented athlete who remains a bit of a mystery, as he's also missed 23 games in his career already. But if he's looking for a chance to start, this could be a competition that might inspire the best out of a talented player.
Cornerback Marcus Peters has had a talented but challenging career so far, reaching two first-team All-Pro teams while also being traded twice.
Marcus Peters, CB
Colts general manager Chris Ballard was in the Chiefs front office in 2018 when they spent a first-round pick on a talented but troubled cornerback. At 6-foot and 197 pounds, Marcus Peters has been a star at times in his seven seasons, leading the league in interceptions yardage three times as two-time first-team All-Pro. He's also been traded twice and has torn an ACL, and he just turned 30. Peters bounced back pretty well from the ACL injury last year, and this could be the most mature version of him yet. But not all cornerbacks love the Colts' scheme, so an investment like this would take some conversations first.
Left tackle Donovan Smith has seven games of playoff experience, including a run to a Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Donovan Smith, OT
Donovan Smith is another potential left tackle starter, and he comes with a much safer resume than Wynn. He started 124 games on the blindside for the Buccaneers, including seven playoff games. At 6-6 and 338 pounds, he was a key piece of the 2020 team that won the Super Bowl. He is turning 30 this year and hasn't been a star, but he could offer a more stable bet than the Colts currently have at the position. If they were to make this signing, they could consider trying Raimann at right guard with the left tackle spot filled.
Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie is coming off his best season with the Buffalo Bills, when he caught 42 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns.
Isaiah McKenzie, WR
If Indianapolis wants more of a traditional slot receiver, Isaiah McKenzie could be what they're looking for. At 5-8 and 173 pounds, he is built like the inverse of the rest of the Colts receiving corps. He was a complementary piece for Josh Allen but did have his best season last year with 42 catches for 423 yards and four touchdowns. The 27-year-old speedster might be a better fit in a more timing offense than Buffalo had. But without a clear plan at quarterback, these types of receivers are also harder to lure in.
Safety Taylor Rapp picked off nine passes in four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
Taylor Rapp, SS
With Rodney McLeod a free agent, the Colts could be ready to hand the strong safety role to Nick Cross as they planned on last year, when they traded into the third round to draft him. But given that Cross played just 11% of defensive snaps last year, they might not want to place all their eggs in an unproven basket. Taylor Rapp, 25, could be an option to come in and compete, as the 2019 second-round pick out of Washington started 48 games with the Rams and featured some up-and-down play. At 6-foot and 208 pounds, his best trait is his tackling, which was a key resource McLeod provided. He brings some special teams experience as well in case Cross does take the position by storm.
George Fant has started 60 games in the NFL, including at both tackle spots.
George Fant, OT
Even if the Colts are sold on Raimann as their left tackle, they could use more of a fallback than they had last season. That goes for both tackle spots. George Fant has started 60 games in this league with the Seahawks and Jets, including at times on the left and right sides. He's turning 31, and after missing half the season in New York last year with a knee injury, it's possible that his starting days are behind him. This signing could open the door that they're not and also give the Colts a capable swing tackle.
Mecole Hardman won two Super Bowl rings as a starting wide receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mecole Hardman, WR
The Colts could use some more speed at wide receiver, and Mecole Hardman has all kinds of that. At 5-10 and 187 pounds, he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash coming out of Georgia in 2019, when he was a second-round pick of the Chiefs. Andy Reid deployed him in a few different ways, and he topped 500 yards in a busy offense for three straight seasons before suffering an abdominal injury to cut last season to just eight games. His production came with Reid and Patrick Mahomes, so it's hard to bet on a breakout, but the 25-year-old could be suited for a slot role where he can run more horizontal action, including on jet sweeps.
Connor McGovern has made starts at right guard and at center across his six-year career with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets.
Connor McGovern, G/C
If the Colts are willing to get a little creative, they could reach out to Connor McGovern and see if he'd be willing to move back to guard. The 29-year-old started his career there in 2017 with the Broncos before starting his transition to center the following season. He's developed into a solid and durable starter, missing just three games in six seasons. The Colts just picked up Ryan Kelly's roster bonus, so it seems they're locked into him at center unless they get a trade offer they like. For the right price, the 6-4, 306-pound McGovern might be willing to slide over a position and ease life on Kelly and Braden Smith.
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03-21-2023, 12:07 PM
Here are 12 free-agent fits remaining for the Colts
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