NFL · 1 year ago

Colts’ Shopping List: Top 5 Needs for 2024 Free Agency

John Canady

Host · Writer

Backup Quarterback
The Colts entered the season with a new era underway with their franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson. In his time on the field, he was fulfilling the hype. But an unfortunate injury in Week 5 ended the rookie's season. Fortunately for the team, the Colts had one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, with Gardner Minshew taking over for the team. Although Minshew wasn’t nearly as flashy, he did what he did best: manage ball games and almost led the team to the postseason. Nonetheless, the quarterback enters the offseason as a free agent, and there’s no telling where the next stop for Minshew Mania will be. Staying in Indianapolis could be in the cards. Still, if the game manager lands elsewhere, it will be an underrated yet significant need for the Colts to find their backup and help develop their future QB.

Potential FA Target(s): Gardner Minshew, Tyler Huntley
Colts' Shopping List: Top 5 Needs for 2024 Free Agency
The NFL offseason is officially upon us, and as teams look to prepare for next season, they’ll have the chance to add talent to their roster through free agency, which officially opens on March 11. As for the Colts, the team fell one game short of a playoff appearance and a division title in the first year of the Shane Steichen era. Fortunately, they’ll have plenty of cap space, largely thanks to their starting quarterback, Anthony Richardson, being on a rookie contract. Here are the top five needs for Indianapolis heading into free agency.

NFL Super Bowl Odds: Indianapolis Colts: +5000
Offensive Playmakers
The Colts entered last season with a rookie quarterback and few experienced playmakers on offense aside from Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor. Within Shane Steichen’s new offensive scheme, Pittman Jr. put together a dominant season, hauling in 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. Entering the offseason as a free agent, the Colts will prioritize returning their starting receiver. But until they ink the 26-year-old to a long-term deal, offensive playmakers will remain a significant need for the team. Even then, as GM Chris Ballard emphasized during his end-of-year presser, Indy will still be looking to add explosive players on offense.

Potential FA Target(s): Marquise Brown, DJ Chark
Safety
The Colts secondary had many up-and-down moments throughout the previous season. At times, their play from the safety position looked to have potential. Other times, it was hard to watch as opposing offenses picked Gus Bradley’s defense apart. With Julian Blackmon going down to injury in a contract year, it’ll be interesting to see how the two sides place value on a future contract to bring the young safety back to Indianapolis. However, aside from Blackmon, the Colts are incredibly inexperienced at the safety position, with Rodney Thomas II and Nick Cross as the only other playable options. Cross has lots of potential, and Thomas II has had his moments, but by no means are the Colts in an excellent position to roll out the same secondary in 2024.

Potential FA Target(s): CJ Gardner-Johnson, Antoine Winfield Jr.
Cornerback
Indianapolis entered last season with a reasonably young cornerback room outside Kenny Moore II. With first-time starter Dallis Flowers's season ending early due to injury, the Colts played with rookie seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones and former undrafted corner Darrell Baker Jr. lining up alongside Moore for most of the season. While rookie JuJu Brents showed plenty of bright moments as the starter, the physical cornerback missed eight games with injuries. Nonetheless, with Brents and Jones showing potential for the future, Ballard must add talent to the team's cornerback room to avoid being in the same situation next year.

Potential FA Target(s): Rock Ya-Sin, Jeff Okudah
Defensive Line
Indianapolis started the year off strong with their defensive line play. The Colts even finished in the top five in sacks with 51 throughout the season. But when Grover Stewart was suspended, it was evident that the team's depth behind their starting defensive tackle was in rough shape. Indy couldn’t stop the run game and struggled to pressure the quarterback, especially when their edge rushers, Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam, began to struggle. Besides DeForest Buckner, the Colts will need more contributions from their defensive line moving forward. If the team can re-sign Stewart and add talent to help their defensive tackles out, Indianapolis could be a dangerous team in the trenches moving forward. Adding an edge rusher or a defensive tackle through free agency could be a massive get for the AFC South team.

Potential FA Target(s): Chase Young, Javon Kinlaw
Backup Quarterback
The Colts entered the season with a new era underway with their franchise quarterback, Anthony Richardson. In his time on the field, he was fulfilling the hype. But an unfortunate injury in Week 5 ended the rookie's season. Fortunately for the team, the Colts had one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, with Gardner Minshew taking over for the team. Although Minshew wasn’t nearly as flashy, he did what he did best: manage ball games and almost led the team to the postseason. Nonetheless, the quarterback enters the offseason as a free agent, and there’s no telling where the next stop for Minshew Mania will be. Staying in Indianapolis could be in the cards. Still, if the game manager lands elsewhere, it will be an underrated yet significant need for the Colts to find their backup and help develop their future QB.

Potential FA Target(s): Gardner Minshew, Tyler Huntley
Colts' Shopping List: Top 5 Needs for 2024 Free Agency
The NFL offseason is officially upon us, and as teams look to prepare for next season, they’ll have the chance to add talent to their roster through free agency, which officially opens on March 11. As for the Colts, the team fell one game short of a playoff appearance and a division title in the first year of the Shane Steichen era. Fortunately, they’ll have plenty of cap space, largely thanks to their starting quarterback, Anthony Richardson, being on a rookie contract. Here are the top five needs for Indianapolis heading into free agency.

NFL Super Bowl Odds: Indianapolis Colts: +5000