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Colts Could Consider these Top 7 ‘Under the Radar’ Free Agents

By Luke Schultheis

Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive back Micah Hyde (33) celebrates a play during the game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive back Micah Hyde (33) celebrates a play during the game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) works out prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Bradley McDougald (30) works out prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bradley McDougald, Safety Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Having been initially signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2013, safety Bradley McDougald had found a home in Tampa Bay over the past four seasons.

The 6’1″, 209 pound safety is fresh off a season in which he recorded 91 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defensed in 16 starts–finishing 2nd on the team in total tackles.

He’s started 31 games for the Bucs over the past two seasons, and the 26 year old has developed into one of the league’s above average young safeties.

Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), McDougald was their 42nd best rated safety with a +79.0 grade overall and like others on our list, was among their “10 under-the-radar players about to hit free agency“:

"“Not particularly great in any one area, McDougald is a solid all-around safety that isn’t a liability on the back end. The former Kansas Jayhawk has allowed just three touchdowns in his career, and has seen his allowed-catch percentage drop each season, despite seeing the most targets in his career in 2016.”"

McDougald is neither superstar safety Eric Berry nor underrated standout safety Tony Jefferson, but he also shouldn’t command nearly as many dollars as either star free agent safety on the open market–meaning he could be a much more cost efficient option for the Colts.

The Colts are presumably going to be looking at potential safeties to start alongside Clayton Geathers, as both Mike Adams and Darius Butler are free agents, while 2nd-year pro T.J. Green figures to remain a bit of a project going forward–having struggled in his rookie debut.

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