9 free agents new Colts defensive coaches could bring to Indianapolis

With the 2024 regular season officially over, the Indianapolis Colts - and the rest of the league - are looking to free agency to fill holes in their roster and bolster their chances to improve in 2025. For the Indianapolis Colts, free agents to target include backup quarterbacks and running backs, as well as several defensive positions.

Free agency is often largely about money - both in choosing who to cut and who to sign - but the presence of a well-loved and highly respected coach can help the process, too. The Colts signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to replace Gus Bradley as DC, and he brought with him James Bettcher, the linebackers coach for Cincinnati. That could potentially give the Colts a leg up on their available defensive free agents.

This is who the Colts could potentially get.

B.J. Hill, defensive tackle

Hill is a well rated defensive lineman who has been with the Bengals since 2021. He recorded 56 total tackles in 2024, as well as three sacks. He's a versatile player who can stop the run and pressure quarterbacks. The defensive line isn't as much of a need for the Colts as the secondary, so while Hill is a great player, he may not be as high a priority for Indianapolis solely due to his position.

Mike Hilton, cornerback

Hilton is a fantastic defender in the secondary who could definitely help the areas of weakness Indianapolis has struggled with. Playing with the Bengals since 2021, Hilton had 73 total tackles in 2024 and was Cincinnati's top defender in the slot. He performs much better on run defense than on pass rush, which actually fits well with where the Colts defense has struggled - they had a very hard time stopping the run in 2024. He would be a great free agent for the Colts to target.

Akeem Davis-Gaither, linebacker

Linebacker has been a difficult position for the Colts. While Zaire Franklin is the league leader in tackles, he - along with E.J. Speed - are also notorious for their missed tackles. Davis-Gaither is a strong linebacker, selected by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and is particularly good on the pass rush. He had 82 total tackles in 2024, and one interception. He switched agencies shortly after the season ended, signaling that he could be looking to change teams this year.

Marco Wilson, cornerback

Wilson has had mixed results in his NFL career, performing particularly well in his 2021 rookie season, as well as in 2022. He was even named NFC Defensive Player of the Week that year, but he seemed to regress after that. He was very poorly rated for the Bengals in 2024, so he seems an unlikely target for Indianapolis.

Joseph Ossai, defensive end

Selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Ossai is seen as a good player with lots of potential. He had his highest number of snaps in 2024 to date, and performed well, with 46 total tackles, and 9.5 sacks. So far, he's been a rotational defensive end and with more time on the field, will likely continue to improve.

Joe Bachie, linebacker

Originally signed by the Saints in 2020 as an undrafted free agent, Bachie was quickly waived, and then signed by the Philadelphia Eagles before landing in Cincinnati. He seems to be a decent player, but hasn't had much playing time and overall, his NFL career has been lackluster compared to how he performed in college.

Vonn Bell, safety

Bell is a veteran safety known for performing particularly well in the postseason, and who is capable of making big plays. He's been with the Bengals twice, and most recently, racked up 55 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In his first stint with the Bengals, he intercepted a pass from Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game, helping Cincinnati get to the Super Bowl.

Jay Tufele, defensive tackle

Tufele is still a relatively young player in the NFL, having been drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021. Though he had a strong collegiate career, his NFL career has been comparatively underwhelming, despite his versatility and athleticism. 2024 in particular was not a great year for Tufele, though he could add depth to the Colts defense on a rotational basis.

Cam Sample, defensive end

Sample was drafted by the Bengals in 2021, and spent the 2024 season on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. In 2023, though, he had a decent season, particularly on the pass rush. But without much history in the NFL to go on, he may not be worth the gamble for Indianapolis.