The Indianapolis Colts have spent a week in free agency trying to find a way to bring back quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. Mission accomplished, but that doesn't necessarily make the team better. They were already on the roster last season.
Depth is a real concern for the team, but there is time to upgrade the group. While the massively expensive free agents are mostly gone, real talent isn't. Plus, Indy still has needs, such as at inside linebacker.
Several Indianapolis veterans should feel a bit nervous about their jobs. A team has to trim its active roster to 53 by Week 1, but well before that, an NFL team has to make moves to prepare for the new season. The Colts might have a better chance at success if they move on from the three players below.
Three Indianapolis Colts who might feel nervous about their jobs based on Phase 2 of free agency
Defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore
How Adebawore is still on the roster is anyone's guess. He's been on the roster for three years and has been ineffective. He did have four sacks and 34 total pressures last season, but was nonexistent in the two seasons before. Even his 2025 performance was not good.
He missed an incredible 30.3 percent of his tackle attempts, an inexcusable amount. He was also wretched against the run. At best, he is a one-trick pony who can pressure quarterbacks, but that is inconsistent and doesn't make up for his dismal play in other aspects.
Could Indy find an upgrade in free agency? Definitely. Due to the relatively low cap hits for Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, even after re-signing, Indy has a decent amount of cash left. That could go toward paying someone like D.J. Reader, who is 32 years old, but still excellent against the run and shouldn't cost a load of money.
Linebacker Jaylon Carlies
The Colts have downgraded their inside linebacker duo simply because they haven't brought in any real replacements for the traded Zaire Franklin or remaining free agent Germaine Pratt. Franklin and Pratt were both awful in pass coverage and shouldn't return, but their backups on the roster were no better.
Carlies has been with Indianapolis for two seasons, but missed most of 2025 with an ankle injury. He played just two defensive snaps in one game and didn't make much of an impact due to limited time. What is clear, however, is that Indy would be foolish to rely on Carlies to suddenly be an effective starter.
Do decent inside linebacker options exist in free agency? Absolutely. Recently released New York Giants off-ball LB Bobby Okereke has solid coverage skills and would be a good fit. Chris Ballard just has to decide to spend the money.
Tight end Will Mallory
Indianapolis clearly wants its tight end room to remain full. The team has ascending second-year player Tyler Warren, of course, and has brought back free agents Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree. Let's be real: None of those players other than Warren is a real need.
Neither is Mallory. He has five catches in the last two seasons and has only played in two games in 2025. He's a decent blocker, but those can be found elsewhere. For the tight end group to be truly great, Indianapolis needs to find another guy who can catch passes and then run well besides Warren.
That could mean the team signing former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku. He's been a decent blocker, other than 2025, and has been a productive receiver, including 81 receptions for 882 yards in 2023. His presence would give head coach Shane Steichen a lot more creativity.