The Indianapolis Colts will have tons of cap space for the second season in a row, as Chris Ballard and Frank Reich chose not to spend a ton of money last offseason in the name of making a more complete, robust Indianapolis roster by building through the draft.
Now that the division is severely weakened following the Tennessee Titans losing Arthur Smith and the Houston Texas screwing up Deshaun Watson, the Colts should seize this prime opportunity as a chance to make some noise in the AFC South.
Indianapolis is far from a finished roster after the Carson Wentz trade, as they could use some reinforcements on the offensive line, perimeter players on both sides of the ball, and one more edge rusher to replace Justin Houston.
These free agents might cost quite a pretty penny to bring in, but the Colts should throw caution to the wind in the name of building a winner for the next half-decade.
These 4 free agents are perfect for the Indianapolis Colts
Edge Rusher: Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue might be close to joining his fourth team in less than a year. Ngakoue started 2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. but was traded to the Minnesota Vikings after refusing to play for the Jags. After getting traded to Baltimore, Ngakoue came alive, making himself a valued member of that defense.
While Ngakoue had a solid season that saw him total eight sacks, it was far from the dominant campaign many expected he would have. That could help the Colts get him at a slight discount.
How will Yannick Ngakoue help the Colts?
Nkagoue’s ability to bend the edge on the outside and use his power to knock offensive tackles down on their butt will be a welcome sight in Indianapolis, as Matt Eberflus often just rushes four down linemen and expects them to get pressure.
Ngakoue has recorded at least eight sacks in every season that he’s been a professional, and that consistency should help him get a long-term contract this offseason. If he plays his cards right, he could join Indianapolis and instantly join a contender for the 2021 season and for the next half-decade as a whole.
Cornerback: AJ Bouye
Bouye is another former Jaguar who could end up in Indianapolis, as he was traded to the Denver Broncos during their roster purge this offseason. However, after just one season in which he struggled to stay on the field, Denver released him, potentially trying to cash in on a strong cornerback draft class.
Bouye managed just seven games in Denver, and his up and down 2019 season has caused his value to drop dramatically. If the Colts are interested in a rehabilitation project, Bouye is ripe for the picking.
How will AJ Bouye help the Colts?
Back in his days with the Houston Texans, Bouye evolved into one of the game’s best outside corners, and the duo he formed with Jalen Ramsey was a pivotal factor in Jacksonville’s sudden rise to the AFC Championship game in 2017. The talent is still there; he just needs the right environment.
Even in a secondary that was short on big names, the Colts managed to be difficult to throw on, due in large part to a corner in Xavier Rhodes who bounced back after an awful 2019 season with the Vikings. The Colts could work their magic once again with Bouye.
Wide Receiver: Corey Davis
Davis appeared headed for all-time bust status during the early parts of his career with the Titans, as the former Western Michigan star that helped shatter college football’s receiving record struggled to adapt his game to the NFL.
That all changed in 2020, as Davis was the second option behind AJ Brown in Smith’s passing attack. Davis fell just shy of 1,000 yards while scoring five touchdowns, all the while showing off the combination of speed and physicality that made him such a hyped prospect in the draft.
How could Corey Davis help the Colts?
The Colts could use some speed in their wide receiver room, as TY Hilton appears to be on the verge of leaving and Paris Campbell still isn’t far enough along in his recovery. Why not get a 6-3 athlete on the edge with more than enough speed to bust seams wide open like Davis?
While the Titans had one of the best offenses in the league last year, Davis was the third offensive option behind Brown in the passing game and Derrick Henry on the ground. Who knows what he’ll be capable of as the top receiver for a pass-happy team like the Colts?
Left Tackle: Taylor Moton
Moton played right tackle last year for the Colts, but they should be willing to either move him over and pay him like a left tackle or flip Braden Smith over to the left, because Moton was stellar in 2020. If Carolina doesn’t franchise tag him, Indianapolis needs to meet with Moton’s crew as soon as possible.
Moton came into the league a bit raw, but he has since exceeded all expectations after getting picked near the end of the second round. With his ability to become a quality pass blocker now firmly established, Moton should earn top dollar this offseason.
How could Taylor Moton help the Colts?
Rather than go through with the silly idea of moving Quenton Nelson from guard — where he has been a First Team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons — to tackle, the Colts can use their cap to outbid anyone else interested in bringing the hulking tackle on board for the next few years.
Moton is trending upward, meaning the Colts could add ANOTHER potential Pro Bowler to an already stacked roster. Look for Indianapolis to make a run at Moton if he somehow doesn’t end up in Carolina again.