Colts: Indy adds ex-Patriots safety to bolster secondary

The Colts announced the signing of safety Tavon Wilson on Tuesday.

Fans in Indianapolis will be pleased to hear that the Colts have finalized a free agent signing that will help them overcome the latest string of opt outs.

Last week, their secondary depth took a severe hit when the likes of Marvell Tell and Rolan Milligan announced that they won’t play in 2020 due to concerns regarding the global pandemic.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Indy signed safety Tavon Wilson, who had spent the last four seasons with the Detroit Lions. The official terms of his contract have yet to be disclosed.

This is a sneaky good signing for the Colts, as the 30-year-old’s veteran presence will be important to the defense, specifically the group of young safeties. Indianapolis brought Wilson in for a visit last week and it was subsequently reported that both sides were keen on reaching an agreement. As soon as he passes a physical and testing, he can join the team at training camp.

Wilson, a former second-round pick of the New England Patriots back in 2012, has appeared in 110 games (43 starts) across his career, during which he’s posted 357 tackles, 19 passes defended, eight interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five sacks.

The Illinois product is extremely versatile, as he can be trusted defending the run inside the box as a hybrid linebacker and outside the box with the athleticism to cover tight ends. He was also an important part of the Patriots’ special teams unit early on in his career.

This deal is just further proof that general manger Chris Ballard is one of the best in the NFL, as he pounced on Wilson just a few days after the Lions confirmed they wouldn’t be re-signing him.

Expect the eight-year veteran to make a seamless transition as a starter opposite Malik Hooker this season.