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PFF Ranks Colts Mike Adams as 10th Best Free Agent Safety

By Luke Schultheis

Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams (29) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts defeated the Vikings 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams (29) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Colts defeated the Vikings 34-6. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Pro Football Focus, Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams is the 10th best free agent at his position, as he’s set to enter this year’s open market:

"10. Mike Adams, Indianapolis Colts (83.3)Adams has graded out quite well throughout his career; after posting the second-highest overall grade of his career in 2014, Adams followed it up with the second-worst grade of his career over 839 snaps in 2015. Given his age, the rationale assumption would be that he was a player trending downwards as he got into his mid-30s and that the negative trend would continue into 2016, but that wasn’t the case. In 2016 Adams played in 997 snaps (158 more snaps than he played in 2015) and posted the third-highest raw grade of his entire career. Adams is going to be 36 years old this season though, and the inherit risk that the wheels could fall off at any moment, along with there being a fairly deep pool of quality free agent safeties this offseason prevent him from landing higher on this list."

While one would assume that the veteran had showed signs of slowing down, the 35 year old remained solid in the Colts secondary–recording 79 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles in 15 starts this past season.

Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Specifically, per Pro Football Focus, Adams was rated as their 19th best safety with a +83.3 grade overall–including a +84.4 run defense grade.

Since signing with the Colts in the 2014 offseason, the 5’11”, 205 pound safety has found a career renaissance in Indianapolis–having made two Pro Bowls and had 12 interceptions over the past three seasons.

However, with new general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts could elect to get younger, faster, and more athletic at safety and move on from Adams this offseason–although not necessarily because of a lack of production this past season.

Right now, the Colts have emerging young safety Clayton Geathers safely penciled in for a starting spot, but who starts alongside him is unclear as veteran Darius Butler is also a free agent–while 2nd-year safety T.J. Green remains a bit of a project after a rough rookie season.

Next: Colts Jack Doyle is PFF’s 2nd Best Free Agent Tight End

The 13-year veteran Adams could prove to be a reliable starting safety stopgap and veteran presence for a secondary once again, but at this time, it’s a fair question of whether that will actually be with the Colts again in 2017–should he continue his playing career.

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