2 Indianapolis Colts players who shouldn't be back in 2024, and 3 that should
How do the Colts choose to sort through their own free agents?
By Ryan Heckman
This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts will look to build on a relatively successful 2023 campaign, all things considered.
After watching their rookie quarterback go down with a season-ending injury, the Colts were able to remain competitive. Going from a team that held the no. 4 overall pick last year to now owning the no. 15 selection this year, Indianapolis showed remarkable improvement.
Now, they'll look to add more talent this offseason through the draft and their roughly $70 million in cap space.
How will they spend all that cap space? There are a couple of free agents Indianapolis shouldn't pay this offseason, but three in particular that they must bring back. Let's start with the two guys that should be allowed to leave.
1. Darrell Baker Jr., CB
The first player Indianapolis could stand to let go is former undrafted free agent Darrell Baker Jr., who was originally signed by the Cardinals in 2022. This last season, Baker played a total of 469 defensive snaps for the Colts, including 306 in coverage.
He was targeted 50 times, giving up 29 receptions for 460 yards, two touchdowns and an opposing quarterback rating of 102.1. His missed tackle percentage was also a whopping 28.3 percent.
Also, I don't care how you do it but there is absolutely no way that you give Darrell Baker Jr. anymore snaps on your defense. He is an absolute liability.
— Cody Felger (@CPFelger55) October 22, 2023
About seven weeks into the season, you could see the frustration hit a record-high among fans and Colts media. He simply cannot be allowed back on this roster, and if he is, then Baker should be a practice squad candidate at best.
The Colts need to upgrade their cornerback depth in a big way this offseason, so that they aren't in a position where a guy like Baker plays a few hundred meaningful snaps.