5 Frontline Free Agents for Colts
Jan 18, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty (32) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) during the second quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Number 4: Devin McCourty, Safety
Player: Devin McCourty
Age: 27
Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 195 pounds
Positional Overview: While Mike Adams was rock solid as a veteran safety all season for the Colts, it’s the safety position that has been playing alonside him that needs to be addressed. Following a season in which LaRon Landry was suspended 4 games because of PED’s and was largely ineffective, the Colts need to upgrade their other safety position this offseason. Specifically, they need a safety that is apt in coverage and shows tremendous range on the football field.
Show Me The Money: As one of the New England Patriots defensive captains, McCourty has been one of the best safeties in the NFL and provided veteran leadership to the back of the Patriots secondary all season. The former 1st round pick of the Patriots in 2010 is a 2x All-Pro and would-be 2x Pro Bowler had the Patriots not been playing in the Super Bowl this upcoming weekend.
According to the advanced statistics provided by ProFootballFocus (subscription), he ranked just behind Mike Adams as the 9th overall best safety in the NFL with a +11.6 overall grade.
Buyers Remorse: While McCourty is a really good safety, he may be paid like he’s the best safety in the game coming off a year in which his team is playing in the Super Bowl. Provided the recent mega-contracts given to highly regarded top free agent safeties that were quickly approaching 30 years old like the New Orleans Saints Jairus Byrd and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dashon Goldson that proved to be mistakes, the Colts should be weary about giving big money and years to McCourty.
Besides, the New England Patriots are one of those organizations that is great at maximizing talent and production. Who’s to say that McCourty would play nearly as well in Horseshoe Blue, as he did in New England?
Outlook: While it would be great having McCourty to anchor the Colts secondary for years to come along with shutdown cornerback Vontae Davis, ultimately his contract could end up too rich for the Colts’ blood. Plus, there’s also the chance that New England may opt to keep him all together and reward him with a big contract. If not, the Colts would have to be cautious of signing a player that the Patriots didn’t think was worth his price-tag, as they continue to have some of the best talent evaluation and coaching in the game.