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The Way Too Early Top 5 Free Agents for Colts to Target

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) awaits the start of a down in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) awaits the start of a down in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) takes the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) takes the field before the game against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Melvin Ingram, Outside Linebacker, San Diego Chargers

Having been taken 17 picks after Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram has developed into a proven pass rusher for the San Diego Chargers.

Ingram started all 16 games for the Bolts, recording 60 total tackles and 4 forced fumbles.

However, it’s pass rush that is Ingram’s calling card.

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) attempts to tackle Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) attempts to tackle Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the first half of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Over the past two seasons, the 6’2″, 247 pound pass rusher has 18.5 combined total sacks–with 8.0 sacks coming recently this past season.

While that’s 3.0 sacks less than the Colts sack leader Erik Walden, who finished with 11.0 sacks on the season, it was Ingram who graded out much more favorably as a pass rusher by Pro Football Focus.

Specifically, Ingram’s pass rush grade of +84.9 was the 9th best among all ‘edge defenders’. For perspective, Denver Broncos superstar Von Miller received a +86.5 pass rushing grade, which means Ingram found himself near some pretty elite pass rushing company.

Meanwhile, Walden received a +49.4 pass rushing grade–indicating that Ingram could be a significant upgrade despite what the sack output shows.

Ingram’s +88.1 grade overall was also the 6th best overall among all ‘edge defenders’ as well–meaning Melvin was much better than his stats seem to indicate at their face.

If he returns, head coach Chuck Pagano should have a ‘heads up’ on Ingram, as his brother John Pagano has been the defensive coordinator for Ingram for the 27 year old outside linebacker’s entire career–even though the younger Pagano may not want to actually lose one of his defensive captains.

The Colts signed cornerback Patrick Robinson from the Chargers last offseason, and Ingram could potentially be next–although Indianapolis would be theoretically hoping for a much more impressive debut season from Ingram than his former teammate.

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