Colts: 3 players Indy is already wishing they didn’t get rid of

The Indianapolis Colts don’t have a ton of time to lick their wounds after Russell Wilson and the Seahawks proceeded to take that secondary behind the woodshed, as they are scheduled to match up against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. After Week 1, that should frighten Colts fans.

The secondary looked ill-equipped to take on such a talented collection of wide receivers, the schematic adjustments just did not come, and the defense as a whole looked disjointed. Even All-Pro players like Darius Leonard had difficulty figuring out offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s offensive attack.

The roster that Indy unveiled in that game has some noticeable holes, especially on the defensive side, as the passive approach to free agency has helped Indianapolis end up with some depth issues at key defensive spots. Seattle exposed them with their revamped passing attack.

Based on how that first outing looked, some Colts fans might be looking over their shoulders or putting their heads in their palms after watching these three players land on other teams.

3 players the Colts might regret getting rid of.

3. DB Andre Chachere

Chachere was identified as a player that could make the roster as a backup defensive back, as Matt Eberflus talked up his versatility to play both cornerback and safety. While the Colts did cut Marvell Tell, which some viewed as a predecessor to Chachere sticking around, the San Jose State product was ultimately cut as well.

The Eagles, who are coached by former Indy OC Nick Sirianni and led on defense by former Colts cornerback coach Jonathan Gannon, scooped up Chachere, and he was on the field for a handful of plays in Philadelphia’s win against the Falcons. Indy may have messed up letting him go.

Andre Chachere could’ve been a solid backup for the Colts.

The Colts went into the Seattle game with only three healthy safeties, one of whom is a special teams ace in George Odum. While signing Andrew Sendejo might help them bolster their ranks, they had a ready-made solution to the position in Chachere in the building, but they ditched him.

He wouldn’t have suddenly turned into the second coming of Bob Sanders if he’d stayed in Indy, but he was a perfect veteran bench piece who could’ve potentially broken up a big pass down the field yesterday. Against Stafford and the Rams, this secondary will be tested again.

2. LB Anthony Walker

On paper, this didn’t sound like a crushing loss. Walker signed with the Browns in the offseason with the expectation that Leonard would continue to play like an All-Pro and Bobby Okereke would take a huge step forward.

Unfortunately, based on Week 1, that hasn’t happened.

The biggest issue for the linebackers last week was their coverage ability, which is surprising given the way they have performed in the last few years. Having Walker in the room would’ve at least given the Colts another respected locker room voice that could’ve relieved Okereke when the roof started to cave in.

Anthony Walker’s experience could’ve come in handy with the Colts.

Walker didn’t set the world on fire against Kansas City, as Patrick Mahomes was able to move the ball regularly, but he has the range and sure tackling ability to thrive in Eberflus’ scheme, and Indianapolis looked lost without him.

Leonard playing like an All-Pro could fix these issues, as could Okereke, but there is no such thing as too many defensive veterans on the squad, and rolling with Walker might’ve been a better option than rolling their two starters out without a ton of support behind them on the depth chart.

1. SAF Malik Hooker

When he was healthy, Hooker looked like the rangy playmaker that we saw at Ohio State. However, after consecutive seasons in which he was unable to provide a ton of utility, the Colts decided to declare him a sunk cost and not bring him back for a fifth season, helping open the door for the Cowboys.

Surely, the combination of Julian Blackmon and Khari Willis will be enough to slow Seattle down, right? Nope! Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf both had a field day with those two, slicing and dicing Indy whenever they felt like it. While Hooker was a scratch in Dallas’ loss against the Bucs, that doesn’t mean Hooker is bereft of talent.

Malik Hooker could’ve helped the Colts’ secondary.

Hooker’s big issue was his health. Assuming that he is 100% and ready to go, he could help cover ground in the secondary, especially in a defense that requires safeties to have tremendous range in zone coverage. Maybe, just maybe, they shouldn’t have been so quick to part with him?

With his fifth-year option already declined and the coaching staff seemingly down on his potential, it may have been hard to convince the braintrust to bring Hooker back this season.

However, the Hooker-less secondary didn’t inspire a ton of confidence in their debut, and it could really come back to bite them later in the season.

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