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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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October 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe (92) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Dontari Poe, Nose Tackle, Kansas City Chiefs

Like Ingram, Poe was a member of the same draft class as Colts quarterback Andrew Luck–only he was selected 10 picks later in the 2012 NFL Draft.

[Admittedly, I was tempted to place Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones here instead, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely that he’ll avoid their franchise tag.]

As mentioned, the Kansas City Chiefs may be faced with a tough decision to make, as it relates to placing the franchise tag on either star safety Eric Berry or nose tackle Dontari Poe respectively–especially with limited cap space in the 2017 offseason.

The 6’3″, 346 pound Poe is a 2x Pro Bowler and 1x 2nd-Team All-Pro and would provide much needed size and an interior presence to the Colts defense–as the Colts saw firsthand this past season that he can consistently command a double-team:

The 5th-year veteran started all 16 games for the Chiefs this past season, recording 27 tackles, 1.5 sack, and a forced fumble.

For a Colts defense that ranked 25th against the run–allowing 120.4 rushing yards per game, Poe would provide an upgrade over incumbent starter David Parry.

There’s some buyer beware though, as the Chiefs actually ranked 26th against the run–raising the question of whether Poe is actually as good as advertised. His Pro Football Focus run-stopping grade of +49.1 wasn’t all that good this past season, but he’s just one year removed from earning a Top 12 run defense grade among all defensive tackles.

Don’t get me wrong though, Parry has been a nice find for the Colts as a 2015 5th round pick. However, at 6’2″, 310 pounds, the 2nd-year pro does not have the ideal size of a true nose tackle in a 3-4 system. Ideally, Parry may be better suited long-term as a rotational defensive lineman than starting nose tackle for the Colts going forward.

Specifically, when looking at every historically great 3-4 defense, whether it’s been the Pittsburgh Steelers Casey Hampton, the San Diego Chargers Jamal Williams, or the New England Patriots Vince Wilfork, there’s always been a dominant nose tackle anchoring the middle of their defense.

Still only 26 years old, Poe has the size, strength, and athleticism to be a true difference-maker for the Colts defense for years to come. He doesn’t always play up to his physical potential, but could be worth the long-term gamble for Indianapolis.

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