The Indianapolis Colts are in an enviable position heading into the NFL’s off-season. With approximately $71 million dollars in salary cap space, they can be as aggressive as they would like to be when it comes to signing free agents. Whether or not the team chooses to change its past approach regarding big additions from the outside still remains to be seen. One thing that seems likely, however, is that the team will place a premium on keeping its own key players.
The Colts are an organization that likes to draft and develop their own talent, traditionally, rewarding those players who demonstrate their willingness to commit to the craft of football and elevate the team to success. This particular year, 20 players on the current roster are eligible for free agency. Five of those players have gone above and beyond to prove they’re worth the money, and should be priorities for the Colts to retain.
Michael Pittman Jr
Whether it’s running flawless routes or making that tough catch over the middle, Pittman is the top target in head coach Shane Steichen’s offense. What he lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for in all other attributes that make for a quality possession receiver. It seems unlikely that the Colts win many of the games that they did–especially the overtime win against the Titans–without Pittman in the lineup. As the Colts continue to prepare quarterback Anthony Richardson to take the reins of the team, having a dependable target that will convert the tough first downs through the air is an absolute necessity.
Kenny Moore II
Although defensive coordinator Gus Bradley traditionally plays a zone coverage-heavy scheme, he’s adapted it since arriving in Indianapolis in order to accommodate Moore’s unique talents. A dependable blitzer from the slot who can also move around in order to shadow elite receivers, Moore is truly a jack of all trades, a player whose skill set is difficult to replicate. The best reason to retain him, though, is his leadership. Most of Indy’s corners are younger players, and having an established vet in the room to help them learn is golden. More to the point, with the departure of Shaquille Leonard from the linebacker group, Moore is showing himself to be a steadying voice for the defense in high pressure situations. What Moore lacks in size, he makes up for in talent and heart.
Grover Stewart
Stewart has proven since signing his last contract with the Colts that he’s more than just a big man. He’s also good against the run because he knows where to line up and what gaps to attack, as though he can sense the presence of doubt and fear in opposing offensive linemen. He’s rarely deployed in passing situations, but when he is, he commands double teams and lets the Colts’ stable of edge rushers feast on one-on-one match-ups. It may not seem like the sensible thing to do at first to prioritize a nose tackle in free agency, but Stewart is a rare example of a player exceeding the limits of the position and providing extra value.
Julian Blackmon
Players who can make flashy, explosive plays on both sides of the ball are worth every penny, and Blackmon may be the best the Colts have in that department. He’s a heavy hitter who also jumps routes with ease, turning fumbles and interceptions into big yardage almost every time. He’s the safety equivalent of what so many Colts fans are seeking in a wide receiver. As previously mentioned, the Colts are lacking in experience in the secondary, so Blackmon provides aid there as well. Many expect the Colts to go heavy on defense in the upcoming NFL Draft, but players like Blackmon are likely the type of talent they would be looking for, so it makes just as much sense to pay to keep players who are already established. And although Blackmon’s aggressive style of play does make him an injury risk, that risk is mitigated by his ability to seek and destroy explosive plays while creating ones of his own.
Gardner Minshew
Should a backup quarterback really be a priority target in free agency, especially with such a rich Draft class at the position coming down the pipe? Yes, in this particular case. Minshew may simply a backup when it comes to talent, but there’s value in that alone. The thing is, he provides more value than just his talent on the field. His knowledge of the way Steichen operates and the plays he likes to call will continue to expedite Richardson’s development. His toughness and resiliency are a great example for players like Richardson to look up to. Lastly, re-signing him would send a clear message to the locker room that stepping up when the situation calls for it will be handsomely rewarded. Minshew steered a ship that could easily have veered off course into a game against Houston that came within a single play of the postseason. He demonstrated through his combination of talent and leadership just how far this roster has come in a short amount of time, and the sheer volume of potential it still has.
Be sure to check out more great Colts content from Sports Media Pass, including in-depth looks at potential prospects Indianapolis could be targeting in the 2024 NFL Draft!