3 free agents the Colts could start thinking about shopping for now

With the 2024 season winding to a close, the Indianapolis Colts - along with the rest of the NFL - are likely looking ahead to 2025, and how they can improve their rosters. There will be plenty of in-demand prospects that teams will be battling over, but it has to be acknowledged that the Colts already have a good amount of talent on the team. They don't need to go crazy getting a big name; they need to act strategically and address specific weaknesses.

Fortunately, the Colts do have a healthy amount of salary cap space, likely having between $50 - $60 million to spend in 2025, while still leaving a few million in cap space. With the right free agents, the Colts could take themselves from a mediocre team to a real contender for 2025.

Zach Ertz, tight end

It's no secret that the Colts' tight end room is in trouble. Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree are good blockers, but aren't blowing anyone away with their catching, while Kylen Granson and Will Mallory seem to be doing... well, absolutely nothing. Mallory is still young, and is expected to grow, which leaves Granson - whose contract is up this season - as someone likely to be cut from the team.

Enter Ertz.

The three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion will see his contract with the Washington Commanders expire when this season is over, and his age (34) may not make him as attractive a candidate for other franchises. However, he's still playing well - he's had 501 yards and four touchdowns through Week 13 - and he could use his age and experience to mentor the Colts' younger tight ends. Mo Alie-Cox is 31, but Mallory and Ogletree are both still young, so adding a more experienced tight end could help a lot in this struggling position, particularly one who is playing so well.

Talanoa Hufanga, S

There are a lot of positions on defense that are a major need for Indianapolis, and safety is one of them. It's been rumored that they'll lose Julian Blackmon in 2025, but even if he stays, this is still a major need for the Colts. There is a major lack of depth, and if Blackmon does leave, they won't have a reliable safety on their team.

Hufanga is currently on injured reserve, and that - injuries - is the biggest concern surrounding him. When healthy, he's a fantastic safety. He's fast and agile, and able to diagnose plays. He would be a good complement to Nick Cross, and add strength to the Colts' secondary that is sorely needed.

Donte Jackson, CB

Another position on defense that the Colts desperately need depth is cornerback; right now, they have Samuel Womack III and David Long. Womack has been a good playmaker for the Colts, leading the league with a 33% forced incompletion percentage, the best among all qualified cornerbacks. Long, on the other hand, was previously a great cornerback, but his performance has declined over the last season.

Jackson, meanwhile, has seen his performance improve over the last year with the Steelers. He's allowed a passer rating of just 42.4% in coverage, and while there are areas he can still improve, he's been growing as a player, and can give some additional depth to this position for the Colts.