Colts Sign DE Denico Autry to Three Year Deal
By Ryan Stano
The Colts are finally on the board in free agency. They signed a defensive end to help them transition into a 4-3 defense.
The Colts are typically not too active in the early days of free agency. That proved to be true again as most of the big names had already agreed to deals as early as yesterday. But now the Colts have finally signed a new free agent.
The Colts have singed defensive end Denico Autry to a three year deal. The deal is worth $17.8 million with $7 million in the first year. The signing was first reported but NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport.
The #Colts are signing former #Raiders DE Denico Autry to a 3-year deal worth $17.8M, source said. $7M in the first year. He’s been a favorite of some people in the Indy building for years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
Autry has played his entire four year career with the Oakland Raiders. He played in all 16 games last season and recorded 5 sacks. He apparently has been a favorite of those inside the Colts’ building for the last few years:
#Colts have been targeting defensive players who will fit their new 4-3 scheme. Autry becomes the team's first outside signing during free agency. https://t.co/cXdypOnIeU
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 14, 2018
I'd be lying if I told you I was an expert on Denico Autry. But he was a rotational player in Oakland, so his production should be viewed with that in mind. Five sacks in 2017. But you have to like the 6-5, 270 physique. We'll see.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 14, 2018
Context: New Colts signee Denico Autry, 5 sacks while playing 57% of snaps in 2017. Jabaal Sheard, 5.5 sacks playing 84% of snaps in 2017.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 14, 2018
It's not apples to apples bc, well, the Colts don't have, um, Khalil Mack. But you get the idea.
Grade:
B. . DE. Indianapolis Colts. DENICO AUTRY
Autry will give the Colts some depth at defensive end. He seems to have skills to rush the passer, which the Colts desperately need. But he did not start on the Raiders last year, and looks to be a rotational piece for Indy. Hopefully he can give some good production off the bench.