Colts: 3 players that must be targeted to save season before trade deadline
By Jerry Trotta
1. Marcus Maye
The Colts were hit with devastating news on the injury front last week when it was revealed starting safety Julian Blackmon suffered a torn Achilles in Wednesday’s practice. The injury knocks him out for the rest of the season and he figures to be a long shot to be ready for Week 1 of next campaign.
Indy simply has to address the position at the trade deadline. Khari Willis has been a liability in coverage. In fact, entering Week 7, Willis had the third-worst coverage grade (35.2) of any safety in the NFL.
Behind Willis, the Colts have Andrew Sendejo and George Odum, who’s clearly better suited as a special teams ace, on the roster. That isn’t sustainable, and Marcus Maye of the Jets springs to mind as a must-have trade target.
Maye recently expressed his desire to remain in New York, but at 28 years old he’ll be nearing retirement by the time the Jets are ready to compete. In other words, GM Joe Douglas would be insane to keep him on the roster. He’s one of the more reliable safeties in the NFL and could take his game to a new level in Eberflus’ system.
Maye is currently signed to the franchise tag, meaning he’ll hit unrestricted free agency in the offseason. The Colts could choose to let him walk or sign him to an extension if he exceeds expectations.
Either way, the fact he’s on an expiring contract means he should be available at a discount, and that’s right in Ballard’s wheelhouse.
