With Isaiah Rodgers Sr. likely receiving a significant suspension from the NFL soon, the Indianapolis Colts need to find a veteran corner to replace him.
On Monday, it was an announced that Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. was being investigated by the NFL for possible violations of the leagues’s gambling policy. Rodgers has since apologized and taken full responsibility for his actions, but the NFL hasn’t concluded it’s investigation yet or announced the punishment for Rodgers.
Rodgers will likely receive an indefinite suspension that sidelines him for at least one year. If that happens, the Colts will be without their top corner all of the 2023 season. Indy was already somewhat thin and young at cornerback, with the room mainly consisting of rookies and second-year players, but that’ll especially be the case with Rodgers suspended.
Indianapolis could either go all in on a youth movement and rely solely on its first and second year guys, or they Colts could sign a veteran cornerback. Fortunately, there are still some solid corners available this late in the offseason. Let’s take a look at three corners Indy could sign.
3. Colts can sign Eli Apple
Eli Apple may be the option that fans want the least; he’s one of the most hated players in the league. However, for as hated as he is, Apple isn’t as bad as people tend to think. He’s certainly had several bad moments, that are magnified because of the spotlight that his trash talk brings, but he’s a serviceable corner that comes to compete.
Drafted with the 10th-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Apple has been a starter in the league for seven years. His most recent stint was with the Cincinnati Bengals. Though it was often overshadowed by his trash talk or bad performances, Apple provided solid play to a good defense on a contending team.
He could come to Indianapolis on a one-year contract and help the Colts at corner in 2023 while Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is suspended.