Colts: 3 big-name defensive free agents Indy should pursue
By Mike Luciano
Chris Ballard, Frank Reich, and the Indianapolis Colts have a chance to seize control of the AFC South for years to come, as the Tennessee Titans lost several quality coaches and both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans are in rebuild mode. Their pursuit of a division title begins with a pivotal offseason.
In addition to potentially adding a quarterback like Carson Wentz to replace Philip Rivers, the Colts could bring in several star players on the defensive side of the ball, which could help with reinforcing the fact that Matt Eberflus is in charge of one of the deepest units in football.
While the sensational Darius Leonard will always have this unit competing and playing well, the Colts need to get Leonard some running mates, as their secondary could stand to improve after a poor finish to the season.
If Ballard wants to get out the checkbook and shop at Neiman Marcus this offseason, these three high-priced free agents could make Indianapolis even more lethal on defense.
These 3 free agents could be excellent signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
3. Anthony Harris
Anthony Harris could give the Colts another ballhawk at safety.
Harris played the entire season under a cloud of scrutiny since the Minnesota Vikings were open about their desire to move off of the former Virginia star and undrafted free agent. Their insistence on getting rid of him never materialized into a trade, meaning that Harris will now try to cash in after another strong season.
Harris didn’t record an interception in 2020 after leading the NFL with six in 2019, but he did set a new career-high in tackles with 104. Playing closer to the line of scrimmage under Andre Patterson and Adam Zimmer than he did under old DC George Edwards, Harris could start picking off passes again if he goes to a Cover 2-heavy scheme in Indianapolis.
Malik Hooker looked like the perfect safety for this defense, but injuries limited him to 35 games in four years, and the Colts would do well to let him try to rehab his value elsewhere. If they want an immediate replacement, Harris is the best available safety for that scheme.
Harris might not have shown it last year, but he is one of the game’s premier ballhawks. However, he won’t come cheap, as players that cover as much ground as him in a Tampa-2 scheme are few and far between. If Ballard ponies up, Harris could be wearing a horseshoe on the side of his helmet in 2021. Just imagine him alongside Julian Blackmon.