How Did the Colts’ Moves in Free Agency Change their Draft Strategy?
By Andrew Ites
The Colts have been fairly quiet in free agency, which makes the upcoming NFL Draft even more important for the franchise.
The Colts entered the offseason with about $80 million in cap space, but they haven’t spent much of it as general manager Chris Ballard hasn’t made a big splash in free agency.
After signing wide receiver Ryan Grant and receiving tight end Eric Ebron, Ballard may be less likely to take a wide receiver high in the draft.
The Colts also signed guard Matt Slauson and re-signed Jack Mewhort, which suggests that guard is not as big of a need as it was entering the offseason. If the Colts take an offensive linemen early on in the draft, it is more likely to be a tackle after those pair of moves in free agency.
After Rashaan Melvin signed elsewhere in free agency, Chris Ballard could be considering taking a cornerback with that sixth overall pick or spending one of their three second round picks on a corner. Quincy Wilson showed some promise last season, but the Colts are going to need to add a cornerback or two in the draft.
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Inside linebacker was arguably the biggest hole on Indianapolis’ roster entering the offseason and they haven’t addressed it yet. In fact, it’s gotten even worse since the beginning of free agency as Jon Bostic walked away after one season with the Colts.
Luckily there is some talent at that position in this draft class and I’d expect Chris Ballard to take a hard look at those top linebacker prospects.
The Colts’ positions of need haven’t changed much after a quiet free agent period, which means the front office has a lot of work to do in this draft.