Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Primer: Dayo Odeyingbo GONE, Daniel Jones The Perfect Fit?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Dio, Dengbo, and Will Fries leaving a free agency. Daniel Jones, the perfect competition for Anthony Richardson. We touch on this and much more on today's free agency primer on Locked On Colts. Let's get to it. You are Locked On Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day.

Starting point is 00:00:32 This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello everyone, my name is Zach Hakes, your resident film nerd of HorseshoeHuddle.com. And our credential crocs on the ground, Jake Arthur is not here today, but don't worry, we have a fun show planned for you. We're essentially going to be doing a Colts free agency primer on today's episode. And by that, I mean we're going to go through all the elements of free agency for the Colts. And I'm going to tell you guys what I'm hearing, what I'm guessing,

Starting point is 00:01:01 kind of, you know, what the overall vibes are, what Zach's gut feeling is when it comes to the Colts in free agency this off season. So to close out today's show, we're going to talk about what the Colts actual plan of attack might be when it comes to free agency this year. We're also going to touch on the quarterback carousel and really look at what the actual options are for the Colts in free agency. But first first we're going to talk about these internal free agents, maybe some potential cap casualties that we look at with the Colts, and what kind of moves they can make before Free Agency officially kicks off early next week. So let's start off with those internal free agents.

Starting point is 00:01:40 And I think a great place to start is obviously with the two biggest names hitting the market for the Coles's offseason in Wilfries and Dayo Adengbo. Kicking it off with Dayo Adengbo He has had a lot of love from national media guys of late I've seen Tom Palacero's report saying that Dayo might get upwards of 16 to 20 million dollars per year on the open market and yes, that is a little bit of a high price, but that's the nature of free agency. Players get overpaid when they hit the market. And yeah, it's an overpay for Dio, but he is a 25 year old pass rusher with outstanding

Starting point is 00:02:16 traits who has 11 sacks the last two seasons, who's led the defense in pass rush win rate the last two years. So yes, it's a bit of an overpay, but it would be a team really betting on the traits. I almost said it would be the Packers betting on the traits because that's where all the rumors are pointing that the Packers will be the team pursuing him. But I could see Packers, I could see the Chiefs being involved in that. I could see multiple teams being interested in Dio Adangbo. And as a result, I do think it seems increasingly unlikely

Starting point is 00:02:47 that Daiyao will be back with the Colts. I just don't know if the Colts are going to be willing to hit that 16 to 20 million dollar per year marker for him, especially when they're paying Quiddipay that fifth year option this next season. And yeah, I think O'Dangbo will likely be going to another team this offseason. Honestly, even if the Colts did get up to it with cash in this offseason like they didn't match What other whatever deal Dio were to get on the open market? I? Think he'd rather probably just go somewhere else and he's been a rotational player for his entire rookie contract with the Colts He probably wants to go somewhere where he's gonna be a no-doubt starter and maybe in this different system that he thinks will utilize his talents a little bit

Starting point is 00:03:28 better. So if I had to put a number on it, I'd say maybe a 5% chance Dio returns to the Colts. I think it's very likely that he is playing somewhere else next season. It was fun watching the Hurricane Dio these last couple seasons. Really great player and I hope he has a lot of success on his next contract. Will Fries I think is a slightly different situation but it could end up playing out the same way in a sense where Will Fries might be the top guard on the market this offseason and that might out price the Colts on where they're willing to go with him.

Starting point is 00:03:59 I do think they're more willing to get up to his price tag than they would be with Daiwa Dango's price tag this off season. But again, there is a situation where Save Fries gets up to like 16, 17 million dollars a year. I don't think the Colts go for that type of contract with Fries, especially considering where like, and I say this as the biggest Will Fries supporter out there, he's really just had five games of very high level plays, had a couple of like sporadic high level performances in the past, but it really wasn't until this past season that you were seeing the high play and then he

Starting point is 00:04:33 got hurt in the middle of this breakout campaign. So I think the Colts would be comfortable paying him, you know, anywhere in that like 10 to 12, maybe $13 million per year range, but we'll see if another team goes above and beyond if the Colts are willing to match that contract. I do think Will Fries returning to the team is more 50-50 than Adayo Adengbo. But again, it is still up in the air if Will Fries will be back because that contract could get out of hand. And the Colts currently just don't have a ton of money to play with. I know they can move some things around. But again, I do think Fries is a little bit more 50-50, but we'll see if that

Starting point is 00:05:09 ends up and that ultimately ends up with him coming back to the team. Speaking with the offensive line, going into free agency, the Colts have three starters up in the air when it comes to Ryan Kelly at center, he's hitting the market, Will Fry, as we just just mentioned and right tackle Braden Smith who Left the team for personal reasons in the last month of the season We don't really know the timeline on when he'll be back with the team We don't know if the Colts will retain him at his current price tag or if they're real if the way if they will Restructure his contract gosh that was a mouthful for me

Starting point is 00:05:41 So we don't know what's really going on with that Braden Smith situation If I had to guess what the Colts are doing with offensive line this offseason not full for me. So we don't know what's really going on with that Braden Smith situation. If I had to guess what the Colts are doing with offensive line this offseason, they know that they have two starters in the wings in Mackensalvis and Tanner Bordellini. So I'm guessing the Colts are going to try to bring back one of those three offensive linemen in Kelly, Fries or Smith. And I think their plans go Fries is plan A, we want Fries or Smith and I think their plans go Fries is plan A we want Fries back if we can't get Fries back then Restructuring Braden Smith is plan B and then the ultimate fallback is Ryan Kelly at plan C and

Starting point is 00:06:13 Obviously Gonsalves and Bordellini move around a little bit depending on who comes back like if Fries comes back Gonsalves at right tackle Bordellini at center if Smith comes back Gonsalves at right guard Bordellini at center if Smith comes back and solve is that right guard? borderline at center and then if Kelly's the one who comes back then borderline yet right guard and solve is that right tackle So I do think we'll see one of those three offensive linemen come back for the Colts But I'd be shocked if we see more than one I do think that's the way the Colts are playing it with the offensive linemen this offseason So we'll have to keep an eye on that again. Whatever happens with Will Fries will have a trickle down effect on Braden Smith and

Starting point is 00:06:48 Ryan Kelly in their futures with the team. Going to some other internal free agents the Colts have here, I'd be very shocked if Julian Blackman returned to the team. He came back on a one year deal last offseason, had a pretty decent year all things considered when it comes to, you know, he's playing with a torn labrum all season the missed tackles were certainly up but he still managed to come away with a couple of interceptions I do think it's just time for a breakup between the Colts and Julian Blackman so Blackman will likely be playing elsewhere next season I think the same could be said

Starting point is 00:07:20 for EJ Speed but maybe to a lesser degree I think the Colts will make him an initial offer and he will touch the market, see what he can get out there. And I could see a situation where he comes back to the Colts. I just don't think it's very likely. I think I'd put that below 50% as well. I don't think EJ Speed will be back with the Colts, but I'm not going to close the door on that one. I think the door is still slightly open on that where with guys like Julian Blackman and Dai Wodangbo I think the door is practically closed on those two guys returning to the Colts. So yeah a lot of changes coming to this Colts team especially on the Colts defense. Another change that

Starting point is 00:07:58 we'll probably see is I do fully expect defensive tackle Rayquan Davis to be a cap casualty. We know Chris Ballard is sentimental with his guys and he typically does not like to cut players and which hence we're seeing with Maybe Braden Smith and maybe with Samson Ebucom, but Rayquan Davis I I highly doubt that he we kept at his current cap hit the Colts are likely to release him I actually wouldn't be shocked if we saw him get cut while I'm recording this or in the next couple of days before free agency starts Which will lead to the Colts being a little bit more active in the defensive tackle market Aside from that though all the minor free agents, I mean the Colts have 18 unrestricted free agents this offseason Which is quite a good bit

Starting point is 00:08:38 I put the over under on bringing back maybe like six or seven of them this offseason I don't think it's going to be a heavy resign our guys like I think guys like Ashton Doolin, Grant Stewart, maybe Mo Ali Cox could be in play to come back to the team. But aside from that, I don't think we see too many guys come back from last year's team. They have a whole new defensive system coming in here. Chris Ballard has openly said that he made a mistake last offseason in terms of Resigning everybody so I do think we see a good amount of these guys hit the market and potentially leave Yeah, I mean, I think Ashton Doolin is probably the one that you feel safe as betting to come back But aside from that, I do think a lot of these guys hit the market and ultimately end up in different places

Starting point is 00:09:23 So again to kind of just put all that together real quick, I do think that Fry's and Odango are just going to get some pretty massive contracts. I think Fry's has a decent chance of coming back. Odango's likely gone. Blackman and Speed probably gone. And then when it comes to the offensive line, I think one of the three guys returns with Will Fry's being the top option and Brain Smith being the secondary option. So that's what the Colts are dealing with internally here. They have a little over $30 million in cap space. They can get up to around $60 million in cap space. They make some moves and then obviously restructures could happen as well. So we'll see what they can play with going into free agency. But one of the big moves they have to make in free agency is bringing in that competition

Starting point is 00:10:06 at quarterback to compete with Anthony Richardson. So coming up, we're going to talk about those quarterback options. We're not going to go too crazy into the darn old stuff like Jake went into yesterday, but we're going to talk about some of those quarterback options and what I've heard around what the Colts are going to do at quarterback in free agency. But first, you've probably heard of Chewy. They really do have everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. Whether you're shopping for food, treats,

Starting point is 00:10:35 or even pet healthcare, Chewy makes it fast, easy, and affordable with over 100,000 products from all your favorite brands. Chewy has everything your pet needs from food and treats to toys, beds, and grooming. It's not just for dogs and cats, they've got supplies for birds, fish, reptiles, and small pets as well. Chewy also makes it easy to manage your pet's health with prescriptions, telehealth vet visits, and even in-person vet clinics rolling out nationwide.

Starting point is 00:11:04 Autoship is a game changer as well. You can set up automatic deliveries for food, treats and any essentials that you need so you never run out. You can easily change or cancel it at any time. I feel like at least half of the toys I have sitting around my house, just the pile of toys sitting around my house from my dog has come from Chewy. He loves it, which means I love it. And that means that you guys will love it.

Starting point is 00:11:27 So definitely check out Chewy. Chewy is everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewy.com or clicking the link in the description. Say $20 on your first order with free shipping by clicking the link in the description. Minimum purchase required. New customers only. Terms and conditions apply. See site for complete details.

Starting point is 00:11:55 All righty, locked on Colts everydayers. My favorite little everydayers out there. We're here talking Colts free agency in segment one. We talked all about the internal free agents and what the Colts might do with some of those internal guys Now we had to get to the next step of offseason and that is that quarterback competition or that backup quarterback? However, you really want to view it. The Colts have been very adamant this offseason about Adding another quarterback to the room I mean obviously there just has to be another playable option in that room because

Starting point is 00:12:26 quarterback Anthony Richardson has not been healthy through his two seasons So at the bare minimum there does need to be somebody in that room capable of playing football For the Colts next season in the case that Richardson goes down in the likely case that Richardson goes down with an injury But Chris Ballard has been very adamant on it being more of a competition, more of bringing a guy in here to compete and start. I do think a little bit of that is lip service to push Anthony Richardson to be blah blah blah, you know, work hard and all these things and all that stuff there. But I do think part of it is also, you know, you want to attract some of these free agents. You want to get one of these like fringe starter guys to come in here and fully believe in the competition and get a chance to play.

Starting point is 00:13:11 So let's look at some of the options the Colts have been connected to and I'll tell you if I buy or sell on the Colts rumors with those options. The first big one is Sam Darnold. Sam Darnold, the big quarterback option on the market this all season, should get upwards of 40 plus million dollars per year, which is kind of the going rate for quarterbacks right now. And I just cannot see the Colts doing this. This is not competition. And that's really what it comes down to at the end of the day.

Starting point is 00:13:43 The Colts have been so adamant about getting competition in for Richardson, if you're signing Darnold, he's not signing for comp- he's signing to start after what he just did last season with the Minnesota Vikings. And I just don't think this is the way the Colts are going to go. There have been many prominent voices like Adam Schefter and Daniel Jeremiah trying to link Darnold to the Colts, but I just can't buy it. I really can't buy it. This to me seems like agency speak trying to link a team with a quarterback need to a free agent guy just to kind of

Starting point is 00:14:14 drive that price up a little bit. But I just don't see it happening for the Colts this all season. So yeah, Darnold had a good season last year. He has his warts. I don't think he's more I don't think he's much of a franchise quarterback, but he's probably an upgrade over Richardson But is he enough of an upgrade to give up on the project completely probably not So yeah, I just don't see the Colts going that route and honestly I could say the same thing kind of applies to Justin Fields a quarterback who Look, I know he hasn't had the best run of it in the NFL at this point. We've shown some flashes

Starting point is 00:14:47 He's a former first-round pick He's only 25 years old and that's gonna get him 20 plus million dollars per year on the open market From a team like the Steelers from a team like the Jets those teams really want him and they're gonna pay him like a starter So again going after Justin Fields, you're giving up on Richardson, which is fine. Like if you guys want to give up on Richardson, that's fine. Go sign one of these guys here, but we can't sell it like a competition if you do sign these guys. Like if you do sign adjusting fields to a three-year contract, then you've probably got to trade Richardson and just give up on that whole competition

Starting point is 00:15:23 thing. It's more so just Fields' job. So I just don't see the Colts going that route. I think they truly want that competition slash backup here this offseason rather than a bona fide starter. So guys like Fields and Darnold, I just don't see being in play for the Colts. Now the one rumor I am kind of buying when it comes to the Colts, unfortunately very much buying this one is The Daniel Jones rumor for the Colts. I do think Daniel Jones is very much in play for the Colts I have a question about how expensive you'll be

Starting point is 00:15:55 I don't like that you'll probably be in that eight to twelve million dollar per year range Which kind of limits what the Colts can do and other free agency, especially if they do resign Wilfries I mean that's like combined like a good 28 million dollars off off your books right there if you sign those two guys, but Yeah, I think Daniel Jones is certainly a guy that they would target. He's a guy who's had success in the NFL He's a guy where you can certainly sell this competition Idea to the fan base and who knows maybe you get that reclamation project thing like Sam Darnold where he comes in lights it up and you can squeak into the playoffs and keep your job for a couple years. Like I do think Daniel Jones kind of fits a lot of what they're going for

Starting point is 00:16:36 with this this lip service of a competition this offseason. So Daniel Jones I fully buy that rumor. I think there will be some competition for him, namely from Minnesota. I think he likes Minnesota a lot. He might go back to Minnesota if Darnold leaves. So Minnesota doesn't play Cleveland. I think he's in play. He might be guaranteed to start a good eight to 10 games there in Cleveland, which he might not be guaranteed in Indy.

Starting point is 00:17:01 So I think Daniel Jones will have some options and we'll see if the Colts are ultimately able to lure him in The other names I have heard the Colts kind of connected to Justin again I'm not some super connected guy But just from conversations of a hat I've had with people around the league and and people who know a little bit about some of these Quarterbacks, I've heard Jacoby Brissette a little bit. I've heard Trey Lance. I've heard James Winston Those are kind of the names I think the Colts are looking at if they can't get Daniel Jones. Now can you sell anybody on those guys being competition for Richardson? Probably not, but aside from Daniel Jones, there's not really anybody out there that

Starting point is 00:17:37 is competition outside of maybe taking a guy in the draft. So yeah, we might see them go the draft route if they can't get a Daniel Jones, but I do think we'll also see them bring in a guy like a Brissette, like a Winston, like a Trey Lance that can kind of operate the offense, maybe have a little bit of fun with this team. Maybe, you know, in like Trey Lance's case be like a Bylow guy that maybe can become something. But I think those are more of the realistic options if they can't get Daniel Jones. I've heard Trey Lance is really interesting because it lets them keep that QB running game going. If Richardson were to miss time, and I think that's something

Starting point is 00:18:12 they're very much intrigued by, that was one of their better aspects of their playbook last season. So, you know, if Richardson were to miss time, you have a guy like Lance who can do similar things there. Now, he is kind of a similar passer to Richardson without even the flash that Richardson gives you, but again, more of a buy low option there as your backup. Berset, definitely a team guy that everybody loves and Winston has had some good flashes in the past. So nothing really to get excited about with those three guys, but those are the three names I've heard the Colts connected to if Daniel Jones doesn't work out. So to kind of summarize all that

Starting point is 00:18:46 I think Daniel Jones is likely in terms of the cults will pursue him I don't know if they'll land him But I do think they'll be interested in him and then if they can't land him I do think Jacoba Berset, Trey Lance, Jamis Winston Those are names that make sense for what the cults are looking for Whereas a guy like Justin Fields, Sam Darnarnold even like a Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers I don't think those names necessarily makes sense for the cults And I just don't see those ones happening those guys are coming to places to start the cults aren't looking for a starter

Starting point is 00:19:18 They're looking for competition slash backup. So that's kind of my read on the situation Maybe they just absolutely fall in love with Sam Darnold and think he can be some superstar savior and they just line up to give him the money, but I would be very, very, very shocked if they did that. I mean, they didn't want to give Philip Rivers enough money to come back after that 2020 season. I'd be shocked if they're lining up to give Sam Darnold after one Good season that ended terribly with the Vikings some big-time contracts. So yeah, I just don't see it this Colts team They pass through quarterbacks quite quickly and I just don't see them viewing Darnold as some next-level savior for them But coming up guys, we have other free agency to talk about that was the quarterback carousel The Colts are trying to jump back on again

Starting point is 00:20:04 But the Colts have more to jump back on again, but the Colts have more free agency to look at here. Will Chris Ballard finally break out of his shell and utilize free agency? Maybe I'm crazy, but I think he might. We're going to talk about that here in just a second. And we are back. Locked on Colts everyers. Thank you for tuning into today's show. We are talking all about free agency in this Indianapolis Colts free agency primer. We talked about internal free agents. We talked about the crazy quarterback situation. If you guys want more of a listen into that full quarterback situation, go check out Jake's episode from yesterday.

Starting point is 00:20:41 He touched on it in more detail than I did in that segment there. So definitely check that one out from yesterday if you missed it. But yeah, now we're talking about the Colts overall plan in free agency aside from quarterback. And I do kind of want to go off on a little bit of a joke tangent here before we dive into this free agency thing where, you know, when it comes to Chris Ballard, this is what year nine of Chris Ballard, year 10, whatever it is, every single off season we get excited about the cap space he has or about like, oh, this is the year that he changes and he finally uses free agency. And I heard this joke recently on TikTok or Reels or whatever the heck,

Starting point is 00:21:16 the one that I was on, I can't remember which one, where this stand-up comedian had this excellent bit about fool me once, fool me twice, fool me three times. And it eventually got back around to about fool me once, fool me twice, fool me three times. And it eventually got back around to like fool me like four times and it's back on me because at this point I need some help. How do I keep getting fooled by this guy here? And it made me kind of think about the Chris Ballard situation where this is year nine. If I get fooled in year nine by Chris Ballard, then yeah, somebody needs to help me at this point. I can't be falling for Chris Ballard's end of the season presser speak that he gives

Starting point is 00:21:52 us in terms of changing in free agency. But I will say this, he's never put his back against the wall like he did in that presser at the end of the season like he did this past season. He openly admitted to last offseason being a mistake, openly admitted to some changes being like needed and that he needs to finish some deals and free agency that he hasn't finished in the past. And they have a lot of space coming up in terms of just bodies needed on the roster. So when I say I think the Colts are going to be more active this free agent, I don't expect them to be, you know, Jacksonville Jaguars of the last

Starting point is 00:22:30 10 years in terms of we're going to assign every top free agent on the market. But I do fully expect them to make a couple signings this offseason. I certainly expect there to be a couple new starters coming in. And you know off season they signed zero new starters to come in. You know the only new starters they had on the team from 2023 to 2024 were draft picks. I think this year we see at least two new starters coming in in free agency and I think it could get up to like four or five even. But I think two at the very minimum are certainly coming in in free agency this offseason. So yeah, let's talk about kind of what their plan of attack might be when it comes to free inch and I think they're going to hit defensive back pretty hard. I think especially at outside

Starting point is 00:23:17 cornerback, we have not heard many glowing remarks about the outside quarterback room from Chris Ballard or even Luana Rummo since the offseason has started. Now we haven't heard many negative things about the players out there, but we certainly haven't heard Anarumo or Ballard come out here and say like, oh yeah, Jalen Jones is a perfect fit for this new system because that would be lying. I mean, I've done a lot of work at this point on what Anarumo likes at their cornerback position and he likes big, physical, and fast corners. The Colts don't have a big physical and fast outside corner on the roster. Jones is big and physical, he's not fast. Womack is physical and fast, he's not big. Juju Brentz is big

Starting point is 00:23:57 and physical but not fast and not healthy at the same time. So they really need someone who fits their mold of corner, and I do think free agency is the big place where they're going to attack that I fully expect San Francisco 49ers corner Charvarius Ward to be their biggest target and free agency We'll see if they can cross that finish line as Ballard says and get him to come to Indy But I fully expect that to be a guy that they're in on from from minute one of free agency and until he signs with Either the Colts or someone else. I do think they're gonna be in on that conversation He's just a guy who fits every single thing they're looking at and look when it comes to outside corner Chris Ballard has thrown resources at this position the past he spent what three second round picks in his career at outside corner

Starting point is 00:24:45 He's also given out big contracts to Xavier Rhodes, Stephane Gilmore, Pierre de Cier gave out a big contract too. So he does commit resources to outside corner, which leads me to believe that he will be trying to add an outside corner this off season. If they strike out in Charvarius Ward, maybe for whatever reason, you know, they can't make it work and he wants to go somewhere else. I could fully see him going after Paulson Adibo from the Saints. I think he fits a lot of what they're looking for. Maybe if you want to go for some more familiarity, they go after Brandon Stevens

Starting point is 00:25:19 from the Ravens just to get a big athletic guy in here. I could see Christian Fulton just to get, again, an experienced guy in here. Shaquille Griffin could make some sense. I do expect them, though, like, if Traveris Ward's their guy, I think that might be the only outside corner signing they make. But if they aren't able to land him, I could see them bringing in a Stevens and a Fulton,

Starting point is 00:25:41 or a Stevens and, you know Stokes from from Green Bay just to add competition in big fast physical corners to the room I do think they're gonna be quite active and adding an outside corner in free agency on the same coin is that I do think we're gonna see them pretty active at the safety market as well now do they go for the big fish at safety do they swing big for Javon Holland or Trayvon Morrig? I haven't really heard them connected to those two names and the limited sources that I do have, but you know, it would make a ton of sense for them to bring one of those guys in. I just

Starting point is 00:26:17 haven't heard it yet. I do think just off of vibes that I'm getting, they might go a little bit smaller at safety, which kind of leaves it open to where they could still address it in the draft. But if they can't get that guy in the draft, they could still find a starter in free agency. So I mean, if you're going like really low end for a guy that grew up kind of local to here, I think like a Jeremy Chin can make some sense. Just bring in a guy who even if you draft, say a Malachi Starks, Chin can still have a role on your team and a role on your defense Regardless, so that's kind of like the lowest end guy that could go for I think if you're looking for more like middle tier guys

Starting point is 00:26:52 I mean Andre Cisco could make some sense I know that he think you have like an ejection penalty against the Colts in the past But Cisco is kind of a free safety that could be interesting to go after there You know, you can look at Justin Reed from the Chiefs. I think another one could be Cam Bynum from the Vikings. Could make some sense. I do think they go more to that middle tier of safety. And look, if we compare it to corner, Chris Ballard has spent a lot of assets on corner in the past at safety. The highest pick was Malik Hooker, but aside from that, it's been like some

Starting point is 00:27:24 third round picks. And then in free and C, he's never really spent the past at safety. The highest pick was Malik Hooker, but aside from that, it's been like some third round picks. And then in frequency, he's never really spent big on that position. So I'm more inclined to think that he'll spend a little bit less on safety, but I do think they'll go pretty active at corner. Outside of corner and safety though, like I think those are gonna be their big targets.

Starting point is 00:27:38 In frequency, I do think we could keep an eye on some Bengals players as well that just love Luan Arumbo want to come and help relay that system to the colts so Guys, I would keep an eye on our bj hill sheldon rank ins akeem davis gather Von bell I think those are names to really keep an eye on for the colts in frenzy in terms of just kind of lower end deal I mean hill and rankings would get like decent contracts But davis gather and von bell like some lower end deals, come in here, help the system, be special teamers, and be some

Starting point is 00:28:09 solid players for the Colts. So I keep an eye there. And then outside of that, I think we could see them be pretty active when it comes to the trenches in terms of adding depth to this team. On the offensive line, if they do bring back only one of the three veterans, then you really are looking at like five guys that they feel comfortable playing with nobody else on the roster behind them. I don't think they really believe much in Blake Freeland as the swing tackle. So we could see them go target like a Matt Pert from the Broncos that can come in here

Starting point is 00:28:37 or Truma Adoga from the Cowboys just to be that swing tackle and add a veteran presence to the team and maybe even add insurance to if Matt Consolves struggles at right tackle next season. I think the defensive line we could still see some upgrades. I would never count Ballard out from a big swing at defensive end, so maybe he gets a little frisky and goes after Josh Sweat. I don't see that happening, but it is something worth noting that Sweat is just everything he's been looking for for a long time. But in terms of more depth guys like again like a Hill or a Rankins or just the defensive tackle market in general I think they're looking for a better backup behind

Starting point is 00:29:16 Grover and DeForest Buckner so we could see them be quite active there but I think this is setting up to where they're going to throw a lot of resources at defense I think they'll address the the trenches a little bit and then they'll go into the draft with some gaping hole at tight end With with not many solutions there which will kind of lead us to who the obvious pick will be at 14 But I think that's how they approach free into this year I don't think it's gonna be some massive massive display of wealth and and signing everybody But I do think like their perfect free agency would be nabbing a guy like Charvarius Ward

Starting point is 00:29:49 grabbing a mid-level safety to start as well and then shoring up some depth at defensive tackle and offensive line and yeah that's not again that's not the biggest free agency ever but it's more so than what Ballard's ever done and it really would help this defense quite a bit I mean if you can get a guy like Travarious Ward like if they can land him this defense is so much better than what they were last season and I think it you know it only Accentuates what Luan Arumo can do so again

Starting point is 00:30:17 I'm not predicting Ballard to be this big-time spender But I'm predicting I'm predicting a more active free agency period for the Colts Maybe they even make a signing on day one of free agency or day one of the tampering period. So let me know what you guys think. Am I a fool for being, you know, tricked by Ballard for the ninth time? Are you guys kind of buying that the Colts will be at least a little bit more active in free agency? I do want to thank you guys though for making Locked on Culture first listen today. Now for your second listen check out Locked on NFL Draft with Damian Parson and Keith Sanchez.

Starting point is 00:30:47 Now that the season is over, get the latest draft rankings, rumors, and news every single day. Find Locked On NFL Draft on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. And if you guys want to become a Locked On Colts insider and chat with us directly and get that insider scoop, follow the link in our show notes. And if you guys don't already, make sure you're following at Locked On Col Jake Arthur NFL and at Zach Hicks to all on Twitter. Also subscribe to us on YouTube or every list of your podcasts. We love you guys. Regs views. I will catch you guys back here tomorrow afternoon.

Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Primer: Dayo Odeyingbo GONE, Daniel Jones The Perfect Fit?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.