Colts should pursue A.J. Green in free agency if the price is right
The Indianapolis Colts should pursue Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green in free agency, at the right price.
The Indianapolis Colts will enter free agency in March with around $90 million in cap space, thanks to Chris Ballard being extremely cautious last year. The market will have some very good names potentially available, and now might be the time to capitalize and make a few signings.
One area of need for the Colts is the wide receiver position. It’s likely that Indianapolis will find a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, especially with how deep the class is. However, there’s go guarantee that whoever they draft provides an instant impact.
That’s why the best way to approach the need is by adding someone in free agency to pair alongside T.Y. Hilton and whatever the Colts add in the draft. One player that Indianapolis should consider is Bengals wideout A.J. Green.
Green sat out the 2019 season after suffering an ankle injury during training camp, and is set to hit the market. He’s just two years removed from a 1,000 yard season, and has put up six such seasons in Cincinnati. The issue that Colts fans will likely have is his availability, as he’s played in just nine games in the last two seasons. The good news is that a year off with rest should pay off, and he’s got plenty left in the tank at just 31 years old.
More from Horseshoe Heroes
- When is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to stream
- Latest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QB
- Eagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to Colts
- Here’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane Steichen
- What should be made of Jim Irsay and Colts talking about Bryce Young and the Bears?
Another benefit of going after Green is that his market value will be significantly less that that of Amari Cooper. Right now, spotrac has Green’s value at around $9 million per season. That is a pretty good bargain for someone of Green’s caliber. A deal in two years for $18 million range isn’t breaking the bank by any means, and the deal adds a quality receiver to the offense.
Green works really well on back shoulder throws and in contested spots, working through contact well. Green shouldn’t have any trouble fitting into Frank Reich’s offense either where he can work over the middle of the field, and having a reliable possession receiver plays off of Hilton’s explosiveness well.
Having him and Hilton in the mix would already be very good. Adding someone from the draft to the mix, not to mention a healthy Parris Campbell returning in year two, and the Colts have a core that will be extremely beneficial to whoever suits up at quarterback.
Next. Does signing Philip Rivers make sense for the Colts?. dark
The ball is in Ballard’s court, but a short term deal for Green makes sense for all parties involved, and would bring a spark for this team. If the Indianapolis Colts get the opportunity, especially at the current projected value, they should pounce and sign A.J. Green.