One thing the Indianapolis Colts stayed away from this offseason when it came to free agency was splashy additions and big names. At least, that's been the case so far, because there are still some big-name free agent wideouts available, but even still, the Colts seem uninterested.
Contrastingly, the one thing the Colts dived in the deep end for was depth, and tons of it, mostly on defense. The Colts had many holes to fill, especially at linebacker, safety, and on the defensive line. What Colts general manager Chris Ballard did in free agency and the NFL Draft went a long way toward filling those holes.Â
As far as free agency goes, Ballard made a few key moves to bolster depth, such as linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, defensive lineman Micheal Clemons and Jerry Tillery, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, and safety Jonathan Owens, among others. However, none of these signings impressed ESPN's Bill Barnwell more than another free agent signing, longtime veteran Arden Key.Â
Indianapolis Colts DT Arden Key lands on ESPN's Bill Barnwell's list of best free agent signings per team
The Colts landed Key on a two-year, $16 million deal with $11 million fully guaranteed. Key was a main contributor with the Tennessee Titans, a Colts rival in the AFC South division, for three years after bouncing from the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers.Â
Key has never been a star or a full-time starter, but his value is high regardless as a depth piece. That said, Key has an opportunity to carve out for himself a starter's role in Indianapolis, given his veteran experience and the fact that the Colts are still relatively thin at his position despite the addition of Clemons.Â
Key might be the Colts' most important defensive signing, and Barnwell agrees, listing Key as the Colts' "best" free agent signing on his recent ESPN list consisting of each team's best free agent acquisitions.Â
"Landing on Key was a solid move at the right cost," Barnwell wrote. "The 30-year-old journeyman has been a consistently solid rotational player on the edge. He has managed double-digit quarterback knockdowns in each of the past six seasons while playing for four different teams. He can be a bit of a freelancer at times as a run defender, which might make him a liability at times on early downs, but Key has been able to win one-on-one against tackles and create splash plays."
Again, Key doesn't jump out as a splashy addition, but Barnwell points out the value he brings despite spending his NFL career as a non-regular starter. In the last three seasons with the Titans, Key totaled between 33 and 40 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), including 16.5 sacks in that time.
Those aren't gaudy numbers, but the right kind of value the Colts would want in a depth player. Key could have one of his most productive seasons ever in Indianapolis, and if he can earn himself a regular starter's role, Key can make his two-year deal well worth it for the Colts.Â
Add us as a preferred source on Google