While the Kansas City Chiefs Dontari Poe left town without a deal, the Indianapolis Colts could turn their attention toward other remaining top free agent nose tackles such as the New York Giants Johnathan Hankins or the Philadelphia Eagles Bennie Logan among others.
Regarding Hankins, 6’2″, 320 pound defensive tackle was originally a 2013 second round pick of the New York Giants, where he’s spent the past four seasons.
In his 4-year career, Hankins has 89 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 4 passes defensed in 52 career games (41 starts).
However, despite previously being one of the league’s best run-stuffers, Hankins is coming off an underwhelming 2016 season. Specifically, per Pro Football Focus (subscription), his +47.1 grade overall is just the 72nd best as an ‘interior defender’.
However, he still apparently held his own against the run:
Set to turn only 25 years old at the end of March, Hankins has youth in his favor and could be a strong ‘bounceback’ candidate to turn it around–having had to play slightly out of position last season.
Entering the offseason, Hankins was rated as Pro Football Focus’ 35th best free agent of 2017:
"Dec 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) fumbles the ball as he’s hit by New York Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (95) during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports35. Johnathan Hankins, DI, New York GiantsJohnathan Hankins put on tape the anti-contract year in 2016. While most players have the best year of their career with a big payday on the line, Hankins had the worst year of his career. With Damon Harrison coming on board, Hankins was shifted along the defensive line to accommodate him, and wasn’t nearly as successful playing as more of a three-technique, penetrating style of defensive tackle than he was over the nose in previous years. He has never been much of a pass-rusher, but could be a solid run defender for a team that puts him back in his old position."
He won’t come cheap; however, as Hankins could approach the 5-year, $46.25 million deal earned by teammate (and fellow defensive tackle) Damon Harrison last offseason.
Meanwhile, the 27 year old Bennie Logan is also expected to be highly sought after (perhaps immediately after Poe signs and ‘sets the market’).
The 6’2″, 315 pound defensive tackle was initially a 2013 third round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, having 124 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a pass defensed in 59 career games (51 starts).
Logan is fresh off a season in which the 4-year veteran recorded 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in all 13 starts.
Like Hankins, Logan is looking to rebound after a disappointing 2016 season, having been ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 84th ‘interior defender’ with a +45.1 grade overall.
Logan is ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 9th best ‘sleeper free agent who could bring surprise upside‘–meaning he could be a somewhat ‘under-the-radar’ signing for the Colts right now:
"9. Bennie Logan, NTLogan is a true nose tackle, effectively limiting him to being a two-down player, which in today’s NFL has never been less valuable in terms of contract dollars. He has the ability though to make a major impact on those two downs if a team is willing to embrace the type of player he is. This past season he was a poor fit for Philadelphia’s new, aggressive, one-gap defensive front, but the year before he notched 45 defensive stops, fourth in the league among all interior defenders despite playing just 597 snaps in total. Only Damon Harrison had a better run-stop percentage than Logan’s 14.8 percent, a figure that would also have been second to Harrison this season. Embrace the two-gapping, run-stuffing ability and you could transform your run defense for pennies on the dollar."
He has immense strength and could definitely boost the Colts run defense, where incumbent starter David Parry has been nothing more than ‘serviceable’–at best (and was recently arrested):
Simply put, the Colts ranked 25th against the run last season and could withstand to significantly improve at starting nose tackle.
Having a dominant nose tackle is something that the Colts haven’t had since installing Chuck Pagano‘s 3-4 defensive scheme in 2012, as the team has shuffled through the likes of Antonio Johnson, Aubrayo Franklin, Josh Chapman, and most recently, Parry at the position among others.
Historically, nearly every great 3-4 defense has had a dominant nose tackle whether it be the New England Patriots Vince Wilfork (or Ted Washington), the Pittsburgh Steelers Casey Hampton, the San Diego Chargers Jamal Williams, etc.
If the Colts could sign either Hankins or Logan (should Poe sign elsewhere), it would theoretically provide the Colts with a ‘difference-making’ nose tackle finally–one who could consistently command a double-team and free up the inside linebackers to make tackles or plays at the 2nd level.