One year later, let’s take a look at how the 2022 free agent acquisitions for the Indianapolis Colts faired in the 2022 season.
Now that the 2022 NFL season is over for the Indianapolis Colts, let’s take a look back at some of the moves made last offseason that impacted this headache of a season. Prior to the beginning of the year, the Colts made quite a few moves in free agency that had mixed results. The underlying factor of not being aggressive towards available players was certainly present and clearly showed why finding low-risk, low-reward guys is not the move.
Learning from the mistakes made and building on the positives is something Colts general manager Chris Ballard has to review, and ultimately learn from as Indianapolis begins a, hopefully, minimum rebuild of talent. An analysis of the players that were brought in during free agency a season ago should be the first step in seeing where the roster is moving forward, so let’s take a look.
Grading players Colts re-signed in 2022
Zaire Franklin, Linebacker, A
Possibly the best move the Colts made was re-signing this special team stud turned tackling machine. Formerly a standout special teams guy, Zaire Franklin made the most of his opportunity with All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard missing a substantial amount of time with a back injury. Franklin set a franchise record in tackles on the season with 167, passing Leonard. Add on three sacks, three forced fumbles, and six pass deflections and you have a linebacker of the future to pair with the All-Pro. This is ideal, as fellow LB Bobby Okereke is set to be a free agent this offseason.
Tyquan Lewis, Defensive End, C-
It doesn’t seem right to give Lewis a grade below a C. In back-to-back
years, Tyquan, who signed a one-year prove-it deal, has suffered season-ending injuries that capped his potential. Tough luck for a really solid player with a good upside. Lewis may have met his ends in Indy as a change of scenery may be beneficial.
Mo Alie-Cox, Tight End, D+
After Jack Doyle expectedly retired following the end of the 2021 season there was a void at tight end. Re-signing Alie-Cox to a three-year contract with an annual salary of $6 Million is still a head-scratching move that had lower than mid results. On the season, he compiled a whopping 19 receptions for 189 yards and three scores. The position group is now crowded with younger, more explosive talent in Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson, Alie-Cox should be on the bubble as a surprise cut or trade candidate.
Matt Pryor, Offensive Line, D-
Just awful. Pryor entered the year as the internal favorite to be the
team’s No. 1 left tackle. Once he stepped on the field it was
expeditiously determined as a mistake.
Players Colts signed in 2022 with a huge impact
Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback, A+
I stand corrected. Signing Stephon Gilmore was the best move the Colts made in 2022 and maybe in recent franchise history. Arguably the best to ever suit up at the position for the Colts, Gilmore proved there was a plethora of talent left in the tank. With another year under contract, Gilly lock will be a cornerstone piece for a hopeful competitive roster heading into the 2023 season.
Rodney McLeod, Safety, A-
Anytime you can add a Super Bowl-winning locker room leader to your team, take advantage of it. On the field, it seemed the soon-to-be 33-year-old could play another three to four seasons. His leadership provided great development in young talented players Nick Cross, Julian Blackmon, and Rodney Thomas.
Chase McLaughlin, Kicker, B+
Chase McLaughlin was a late addition to the roster, but it’s safe to say the Colts may have found their kicker of the future. After a Week 1 debacle at the kicker position, Chase returned to the Colts in Week 2 after spending time on the practice squad seasons prior. He went 30-of-36 on the season for field goals and didn’t miss an extra point. His season-long field goal was 54 yards.
Players Colts signed in 2022 that didn’t pan out
Brandon Facyson, Cornerback, C+
A protege of Gus Bradley, Facyson signed with the Colts after the hiring of the defensive coordinator. 28 tackles and six pass deflections aren’t exactly the stat line you want to see from a reliable player in a familiar defense but he wasn’t terrible.
Tony Brown, Cornerback, C-
Tony Brown was a preseason standout, and he played in 16 games, primarily on special teams. He also filled in for Kenny Moore late in the season. Brown recorded seven tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one sack.
Nick Foles, Quarterback, D-
No surprise here. The veteran quarterback Nick Foles is another failed experiment of the Frank Reich era of QBs. Granted, Foles didn’t play much, he spent the majority of the time with the Colts inactive.
Phillip Lindsay, Running Back, D-
The journey of Phillip Lindsay is fascinatingly disappointing. The addition seemed a surefire way to establish a 1-2 punch with Jonathan Taylor. However, Lindsay ended the year released from the practice squad.
Dennis Kelly, Offensive Line, D
A reserve role turned into a couple of starts on a struggling offensive line. Dennis Kelly had a very minimal impact on a unit that struggled mightily in 2022.
Armani Watts, Defensive Back, No Grade
Watts suffered a season-ending injury in training camp, so he receives no grade.
If Chris Ballard and the Colts continue to have waves of free agency as dim as this one was, it’s likely the same repetitive cycle will continue for disappointing performances and wasting great talent across a thin roster. Taking more risks on successful teams’ players that compete well into the playoffs would be a great starting point on whom to keep an eye on as the offseason approaches.
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