2018 Free Agents Part 1
By Andrew Ites
The regular season may be just over a month away, but it’s never too early to be looking ahead to next offseason.
Quarterback
Scott Tolzien joined the Colts as a backup quarterback last season, and he was thrust into action against the Steelers on Thanksgiving weekend. He didn’t perform horribly passing for 205 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT’s, but it became clear that the Colts wouldn’t be able to win consistently with Andrew Luck out of the lineup.
Tolzien is set to make $2 million this season, which is about average for a backup quarterback.
With Andrew Luck’s injury history, the Colts may went to spend a bit of money and upgrade the backup QB position next offseason.
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Running Back
Frank Gore has miraculously been able to continue being a productive running back entering his 13th NFL season at age 34.
He’s rushed for over 950 yards in each of the past six seasons, but it’s worth questioning whether the Colts want to stick with him after this year.
Gore will make $3.5 million this season before becoming a free agent in 2018. The Colts are hoping for one of their young running backs to step up this season and take the mantle from Frank Gore going forward.
Tight End
The Colts made a couple of marquee moves at the tight end position this offseason signing Jack Doyle to a three-year contract and trading Dwayne Allen to the Patriots.
One move that went under the radar was the signing of Brandon Williams, who spent his 2016 season in Seattle.
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Williams isn’t a guarantee to make the roster this season with Jack Doyle and Erik Swoope firmly slotted as the top two tight ends on the depth chart.
Williams will fight with rookie Darrell Daniels for the third tight end spot, but it’s possible that the Colts could carry four tight ends on the roster.
The Colts are only set to pay Brandon Williams around $855,000 this season, and he’ll have to prove he’s a legitimate threat to earn another contract after 2017.