Almost a month into free agency, and the Indianapolis Colts have seen the good and the bad. What free agency moves were the best and worst for Indy?
With the start of April, a lot of the NFL world is preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft that will take place at the end of the month. However, as the league approaches one month of free agency, there are still several unsigned players, and some large storylines that are still unfolding. Odell Beckham Jr. is still available, Aaron Rodgers is still a Packer, and no one’s really sure what’s going on with Lamar Jackson.
However, several moves have already been made, and that’s what this is about. It’s been somewhat of a busy free agency for Indianapolis Colts, considering the players that have left Indy and the ones that have joined. The Colts haven’t made any big splashy signings, but they’ve added several important depth pieces, and also lost some of their key players.
Of Indy’s early moves, which would be considered the best and which could be considered the worst? Brad Spielberger answered this in a recent piece for PFF, looking at the favorite and least favorite moves for all 32 teams. For the Colts, Spielberger named the signing of Samson Ebukam as the favorite move, and the departure of Parris Campbell as the least favorite move.
PFF names the highs and lows of Colts free agency
Spielberger calls Ebukam “a solid replacement for Yannick Ngakoue,” and highlighted Ebukam’s career year in 2022. Samson Ebukam is largely considered Indy’s best signing of the offseason. He addresses an edge-rushing need, and has a ton of promise. His film is filled with impressive plays, and he should be prepared to take things to another level for the Colts this season.
As far as Parris Campbell being the least favorite move, Spielberger essentially said that Indy’s poor offense can’t really afford to lose productive weapons. While Campbell struggled to stay healthy in his first three seasons, he played all 17 games in 2022 and was Indy’s No. 2 receiver. Now, he’s a member of the New York Giants. The Colts did re-sign Ashton Dulin, and added Isaiah McKenzie, so it will be interesting to see if the receiver room will be more and less productive.
It’s fair to say losing Campbell was the least favorite move of the offseason. The other moves in the discussion are losing Bobby Okereke and Stephon Gilmore. However, the Colts can handle losing Okereke since Shaq Leonard, Zaire Franklin, and EJ Speed are still on the roster. The loss of Gilmore will be very impactful, but Indianapolis is confident in the young corners on the roster.
While the Colts are likely now focused on the draft and which quarterback they’re going to select in the first round, fans are hoping for some more free agency moves. With many areas still in need of help, Indy has room to make moves that may be even better than the signing of Ebukam.
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