The Indianapolis Colts and their $50 million in projected cap space figure to be one of the most active teams in the league once free agency gets underway next week.
While it’s understandable that fans are calling for major upgrades on offense, the defense isn’t getting nearly as much attention as it should.
After all, a handful of key contributors are slated to hit the open market, creating real concerns in the secondary and on the defensive line.
It might sound ridiculous that a DL with studs like DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart manning the interior could be in trouble, but the fact that both of the unit’s starting edge rushers (Justin Houston and Denico Autry) are set to hit the open market should sound the Colts’ alarm system.
And plus, when given the chance to get better and turn a unit from “great” to “dominant”…why not do so?
While Buckner understandably garnered most of the plaudits for his overall effectiveness pressuring opposing quarterbacks and clogging holes, Houston and Autry’s contributions in the pass-rushing department were grossly overlooked.
Recent buzz indicates the Colts are interested in re-signing Houston, but that could change in a heartbeat if another team steps up and offers him a lucrative deal.
With all of this in mind, let’s highlight three free agent edge rushers Indy should prioritize this offseason.
The Colts should prioritize these three pass rushing free agents.
3. Romeo Okwara
The Colts should pursue Romeo Okwara now that he’s become a free agent.
The defensive end market became even more loaded this week when the Detroit Lions opted against using the franchise tag on Romeo Okwara, who enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020, recording 44 tackles (11 for loss), 10 sacks, 18 QB hits, 31 pressures and three forced fumbles despite starting just nine games and playing 67% of the defensive snaps.
Taking those numbers into consideration, plus the fact that there are numerous teams in need of pass rushing reinforcements, Okwara will likely ink a sizable contract this offseason. At the very least, the five-year pro will have several offers to consider, and the Colts should absolutely be in the mix to land his signature.
The fact that Okwara produced Pro Bowl-worthy statistics while working on one of the least efficient defensive lines in the league suggests he could take his game to a whole new level playing alongside the likes of Buckner and Stewart, who regularly command double teams.
We all know how much name appeal factors in to free agency, right? Well, the fact that Okwara isn’t a household name and probably falls in the second tier of free agent defensive ends really makes you wonder if Indy could land him at a discount compared to somebody like JJ Watt, who went for $31 million over two years, including $23 million guaranteed.
Whatever the case, the long-armed Okwara makes too much sense for the Colts and their defensive scheme for the front office to worry about signing him at the perfect price.
2. Carl Lawson
Former Bengals star Carl Lawson would be a perfect fit on the Colts.
The Cincinnati Bengals would love nothing more than to retain Carl Lawson before the legal tampering period opens, which begs the question of why they didn’t just franchise tag him. However, that should be of zero concern to the Colts, as Lawson could prove to be a steal compared to what some of the big-ticket edge rushers are projected to go for.
The former fourth-round draft pick is now three years removed from knee surgery that many worried would derail his career, and he responded by enjoying a superb 2020 season. Across 16 games (11 starts), Lawson registered 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 32 QB hits (!) and 44 pressures, earning an immaculate 84.9 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus in the process.
With those numbers in mind, all signs point to Lawson having at least a handful of teams vying for his services over the next few weeks. If the Colts are as serious about addressing their defensive end vacancy as reports suggest, they better be in the mix for his signature.
The Auburn product might not move the needle compared to some of the other edge rushers in the 2021 class, but he could end up being the biggest steal of the group when all is said and done depending on the deal he signs for.
1. Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue should be the Colts’ top pass rushing focus this offseason.
We’ve been waxing poetic about Yannick Ngakoue being one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL for months on end, so the Colts and general manager Chris Ballard would really be doing us a solid by signing him in free agency.
In all seriousness, Ngakoue would actually be an incredibly smart addition for Indianapolis, especially if he’s available for $15 million per year like some simulators suggest. The former second-round pick has never generated more than 10 sacks in one season, but the fact that he’s averaged 9.1 over five years is a huge testament to his consistency.
Ngakoue is always among the league leaders in pressures and knockdowns, as well as forced fumbles, having jarred a whopping 18 footballs loose across his career. At 25 years old, he could be the Colts’ solution at DE for the foreseeable future, and we’d see nothing wrong with offering a deal along the lines of five years for $75 million with $30 million guaranteed.
Whereas guys like Okwara and Lawson would be viewed as under-the-radar signings by most fans, landing an established star like Ngakoue would send a message to the rest of the NFL that the Colts mean business and intend on competing for a championship (assuming other roster holes are filled) as soon as 2021.
Should Colts trade all of their draft assets to maximize their Super Bowl window?
Should the Indianapolis Colts just trade as many draft assets as possible this offseason to maximize their championship window?