With several free agents remaining, two former Indianapolis Colts find themselves atop the list of best players that are still available to be signed.
Monday was the first day that the Indianapolis Colts could return to the facility to start their offseason program. While Indy and its new players are getting things started, several players are still looking for teams to sign with. Amongst those players are some former Colts.
Matt Bowen, in a piece for ESPN, recently ranked the best remaining free agents. Atop the list was defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who’s coming off a season with Indianapolis. Immediately after Ngakoue at No. 2 was cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, the corner that was drafted by the Colts and spent three years in Indianapolis.
Yannick Ngakoue and Rock Ya-Sin ranked as top remaining free agents
It’s interesting that these two are atop the list, considering their connection to each other. Just last offseason, the Colts traded Rock Ya-Sin to the Las Vegas Raiders for Yannick Ngakoue. Now, a year later, both players are available and searching for a new team.
Bowen named Ngakoue the top available free agent because he’s a consistent pass rusher. Bowen did acknowledge that Ngakoue has “subpar tape as a run defender” but ultimately believes several teams are willing to sign Yannick Ngakoue because of the value of edge rushers in today’s NFL.
Unless Ngakoue isn’t in a rush, it’s a bit shocking that he hasn’t signed somewhere already. Ngakoue and potential suitors could be waiting to see how things unfold in the draft.
As far as Rock Ya-Sin, Bowen highlighted how Ya-Sin doesn’t get many interceptions but explained that “with press-man traits, zone awareness and a competitive playing style, he is a physical corner who can disrupt at the line of scrimmage and tackle.” Many Colts fans are well aware of Ya-Sin’s abilities, after watching him grow as a corner for three seasons.
Rock Ya-Sin flashed his potential at times over his first two seasons, but he was really starting to live up to that potential during his thrid season. That’s why Indianapolis was sad to see Ya-Sin traded last offseason. However, fans are now hoping that he can return to Indianapolis.
After trading Stephon Gilmore and losing Brandon Facyson in free agency, the Colts are currently lacking depth at the cornerback position. Bringing back Ya-Sin would certainly address that problem.
It’s unlikely that Indy would bring back Yannick Ngakoue, since the team signed Samson Ebukam, but it’ll be interesting to see where both of these former Colts end up.