What Could This Offseason Look Like in Indy?
By: Trenton Roberts (Twitter: @TRobertsNFL)
The Indianapolis Colts could be a big player this off-season.
After trading for Carson Wentz recently, the team now has their quarterback for the future and a lot of young talent. The team is also sitting on just over $50 million in cap space, which is the fourth highest total in the league, according to Spotrac.
It’s the perfect recipe for a team primed to thrust themselves into Super Bowl contention, and thus the team may be very aggressive suitors to help push them over the edge.
That leads to the point of this article: With the team primed for a big and vital off-season, what might the Colts be looking to do in free agency and the draft?
You read that right. It’s Mock Off-Season Time!
Beginning of the Off-Season Period
Starting Cap Room: $50.3 Million
Restructures:
Ryan Kelly (Savings: $6.5 million)
Re-Signings:
CB Xavier Rhodes ”“ 2 years, $8.5 million per year
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad ”“ 1 year, $2 million
CB T.J. Carrie ”“ 1 year, $1.2 million
S George Odum ”“ 1 year, $1.2 million
RFA’s:
WR Zach Pascal – $2.2 million
TE Mo Alie-Cox – $2.2 million
Cap Space after Re-Sign period: $39.5 Million
Period Thoughts:
- Xavier Rhodes and T.J. Carrie return after excellent seasons on the perimeter.
- Pascal and Alie-Cox are exciting young pass catchers, returning for cheap.
- Odum and Muhammad are excellent depth pieces for the Colts defense.
- T.Y. Hilton and Justin Houston are the big losses, but they are replaced through free agency and the draft.
Free Agency Period
LB Lavonte David ”“ 3 years, $13 million per year
DE Deatrich Wise Jr. ”“ 1 year, $3.5 million
CB Chidobe Awuzie ”“ 3 years, $9 million per year
WR Curtis Samuel ”“ 3 years, $6 million per year
Cap Space after Free Agency period: $8 Million
Period Thoughts:
- David is the big signing and will pair up with Darius Leonard to form the most formidable linebacking room the league has ever seen.
- Wise Jr. is a new starting end, bringing a dominant run-stuffing presence to the team.
- Awuzie joins the re-signed Rhodes and Carrie to shore up the cornerback position.
- Samuel is brought in to replace Hilton as a younger dynamic presence.
The NFL Draft*
(*Draft Order via Tankathon)
Round 1, Pick 21: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Round 2, Pick 54: Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
Round 4, Pick 118: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
Round 5, Pick 149: Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forrest
Round 6, Pick 182: Bobby Brown III, DT, Texas A&M
Round 7, Pick 213: Justin Hilliard, LB, Ohio State
Period Thoughts:
- Mayfield immediately slots in to replace the recently retired Anthony Castonzo at left tackle.
- Jones II slots in immediately as a starter along-side the newly acquired Deatrich Wise Jr.
- Long and Surratt bring new big-bodied targets to the team for Carson Wentz.
- Brown III and Hilliard fill depth roles on the team, with upside to do more.
Closing Thoughts:
The Indianapolis Colts have many directions that they could move in this off-season. The team could make some big changes throughout free agency and the draft, and many new faces could be filling big roles for a potential 2021-22 playoff team. One thing is for certain, though, and that is that this Indy team is one to watch out for when the new league year opens on March 17th.
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