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4 soon-to-be free agents that the Colts must re-sign this offseason

By Jaleel Grandberry

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 25: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after sacking Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 25: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after sacking Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Colts, EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin
Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed (45) celebrates after a play Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a game against the Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. /

1. Colts have to keep EJ Speed on the roster

All EJ Speed does is make plays. It’s been that way since he arrived in Indianapolis back in 2019. Whether it’s on special teams or on defense, Speed finds a way to get around the ball and make a big play. Every time it happens, viewers are probably left thinking that Speed should be on the field even more. Next season, EJ Speed will have that opportunity, either in Indy or with another team in the league.

The Colts need to do everything possible to make sure it’s in Indianapolis. Although Speed won’t be a starter in Indy, he has the chance to be a pivotal backup, the No. 3 linebacker, and receive the most snaps in a season that he has in his career. The reason that’s possible is that Bobby Okereke will likely be leaving Indianapolis in free agency.

With Zaire Franklin earning a permanent starting role after a record-setting season, and Shaquille Leonard set to return from injury next season, the Colts will essentially be forced to let Okereke walk for a better opportunity in free agency. However, that means Indy really needs to re-sign Speed so that the linebacker group can still have depth and remain one of the best in the league.

While Indianapolis does have promising young linebackers like JoJo Domann, no linebacker on the roster outside of Leonard, Franklin, and Okereke has shown the play-making ability that Speed has. While receiving just 28% of defensive snaps this past season, Speed tallied up 63 tackles, seven for a loss, one sack, and two forced fumbles.

Then there’s his impact on special teams, which is a whole different story. At the end of the day, the Colts must make sure that Speed is back in Indianapolis next season flying around the field and making plays.

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