The Indianapolis Colts are set to become serious players in free agency. That is, if they so choose. While the team was already armed with ample salary cap space, that estimated $37.8 million mark of free cap space just increased with Ricky Jean-Francois somewhat surprising release today.
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
In another cost-cutting move, the Colts released the 6th-year veteran defensive lineman which should save the team roughly $4.88 million of additional salary cap room. What was once $37.8 million in cap space is now closer to $43 million.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean the Colts will be getting a big named superstar like Ndamukong Suh anytime soon, it does mean that they may be able to sign at least 2-3 true “difference makers” as marquee free agents.
The team certainly has some serious cap room to use, but it’s worth noting that they also have to be prudent with their spending. For it won’t be too long before the Colts will have to pay their 2012 NFL Draft class, most notably in Andrew Luck‘s looming mega-extension, which will take a significant amount of cap space to ultimately get done.
Still, the Colts could pursue a handful of high profile free agents that we’ve previously covered:
- Frank Gore, Running Back
- Rodney Hudson, Center
- Mike Iupati, Offensive Guard
- Devin McCourty, Safety
- Pernell McPhee, Outside Linebacker
- Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle
- Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End
- Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle
- Dan Williams, Nose Tackle
Unlike the offseason of 2013 where the Colts made a significant splash in free agency with somewhat underwelming results, General Manager Ryan Grigson has to find “true difference makers” this time around. Out of the 2013 big free agent signings of right tackle Gosder Cherilus, defensive end Ricky Jean-Francois, safety LaRon Landry, offensive guard Donald Thomas, cornerback Greg Toler, outside linebacker Erik Walden, 2 of the 6 have already been released this offseason in LaRon Landry and Ricky Jean-Francois, with Donald Thomas a strong possibility to join them soon.
The Colts don’t need anymore role players, the team needs to add impact players and true difference makers on both sides of the football, as evident by the team’s embarrassing 45-7 blowout loss to the New England Patriots in this year’s AFC Championship Game. While they have the cap room to get it done, the team will have to ensure that they perform their due diligence to get a better bang for their buck because time is now of the essence.
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports