Colts’ interest in cornerback we’ve never heard of is beyond frustrating
By Jerry Trotta
Indianapolis Colts fans who thought the team was going to spend like a drunken sailor right from the start of free agency clearly haven’t paid attention to how general manager Chris Ballard goes about his business.
At the same time, however, they have every right to be disappointed that Ballard and the rest of the front office have been spectating from the sidelines while several teams around the league have been aggressive taking advantage of a stacked market.
Several seemingly perfect fits — like left tackle Trent Williams, wideout Corey Davis and edge rushers Bud Dupree and Yannick Ngakoue, among others — have all signed elsewhere. To make matters worse, Indy has reportedly expressed interest in a CB we’ve genuinely never heard of.
Per insider Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the Colts are among a handful of teams interested in signing veteran slot corner K’Waun Williams, though no official offers have been submitted.
Meanwhile, the nickel cornerback market hasn't taken off yet. K'Waun Williams has gotten interest from the Jets, Colts, Lions, Eagles and, of course, the 49ers, but no firm offers at this point.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 16, 2021
The Colts are reportedly interested in free agent CB K’Waun Williams.
We mean no disrespect to Williams, who carved out a nice role for himself over the last four seasons as a member of the 49ers’ defense, but why exactly are the Colts settling for second and third-tier free agents when they have among the most advantageous salary cap situations in the NFL?
It’s duly noted that Ballard tends to pick and choose where to make big splashes — look no further than the blockbuster trades for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and quarterback Carson Wentz — but he’s playing a dangerous game letting so many quality free agents come off the board.
Could Williams end up playing a valuable role on the Colts’ defense if he was signed? Without a doubt, as he’s earned an elite 70.1 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus over the last four seasons. However, Indy already has Kenny Moore manning down the slot specialist role.
Report: Colts Have Shown Interest in 49ers Free Agent Nickelback K’Waun Williams https://t.co/dC4nvf8a1n pic.twitter.com/TEhWppMaSx
— Stampede Blue (@StampedeBlue) March 17, 2021
According to PFF, Williams played a total of 162 coverage snaps in the slot this past campaign, allowing a relatively high 66.6% completion percentage and an 80.0 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. You mean to tell us Moore couldn’t be just as (if not more) effective in the slot?
This isn’t to say that Williams couldn’t be a quality signing for the Colts. However, assuming Xavier Rhodes signs elsewhere, this team is in need of a lockdown No. 1 cornerback who’s capable of shutting down star receivers — not somebody who would serve as extra insurance in the slot.
It’s still early in free agency, which officially opens up at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, but fans in Indianapolis have our permission to be frustrated with the way things have unfolded for the Colts thus far.
