According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts are signing outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo to a 1-year, $2.5 million deal:
Source: Former #Patriots LB Barkevious Mingo to the #Colts 2.5 million on a one year deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Originally the 6th overall pick of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, the 6’4″, 240 pound Mingo has appeared in 62 career games (17 starts), recording 119 tackles, 7.0 sacks, and 11 passes defensed with both the Browns (2013-15) and New England Patriots (2016) in his first four seasons.
The 26 year old pass rusher is coming off a sole season with the Patriots in which he had 11 tackles, but no sacks in 16 games.
This appears to be ‘low risk, high reward’ signing by the Colts, as Mingo was once a highly touted pass rushing prospect and a top draft pick. Signed to a cheap one-year, ‘prove it’ deal, the Colts essentially lose nothing if Mingo fails to impress in his debut season.
Having lost veteran Robert Mathis to retirement, as well as Erik Walden potentially to free agency, the Colts clearly need depth as a whole at the outside linebacker position.
Perhaps, Mingo is just a ‘late bloomer’, and it’ll take some additional time to ‘come into his own’ regarding his pass rushing prowess at the professional level.
It appears that new general manager Chris Ballard felt that Mingo was at least worth rolling the dice regarding his once heralded athletic ability and draft pedigree.
If nothing else, Mingo could contribute on special teams for the Colts, and if they’re lucky, maybe make contributions as a situational pass rusher next season.