3 perfect fits Colts missed out on in free agency
Casey Hayward would’ve been a perfect fit for Colts
If it was one free agency pairing that fans believed was a sure thing, it was defensive back Casey Hayward and the Indianapolis Colts. However, it wasn’t that sure as Hayward ultimately signed with the Atlanta Falcons.
Hayward had played his last five seasons under Indy’s current defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. They were together four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and one year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Many assumed Hayward would follow Bradley to the Colts, especially since Indy actually needs a veteran cornerback, but Hayward chose his hometown team.
Casey Hayward was the most logical Colts fit left on the market, but he’s off to Atlanta.
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) March 17, 2022
Indy’s secondary is looking mighty young around Kenny Moore:
Julian Blackmon, Khari Willis, Isaiah Rodgers and Brandon Facyson average 24.8 years old and 16.8 career starts.
There has already been an established pipeline of Bradley’s former players coming to Indy with cornerback Brandon Facyson signing in free agency and Yannick Ngakoue being acquired through trade.
With Rock Ya-Sin being shipped to Vegas in the Ngakoue trade, a Hayward signing could have really benefitted Indianapolis, especially since Xavier Rhodes is unlikely to return.
Now the Colts will need players like Isaiah Rodgers and Facyson to really step up as they work to replace what they lost in Ya-Sin and what they missed out on in Hayward.
