Top 3 Free Agents Colts Should Target

I disagree that edge is the team’s most pressing necessity, despite what the majority of supporters believe. You shouldn’t take a lot of snaps from the Colts’ group of guys with contracts, such as Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Kwati Paye. Josh Uche, however, provides the precise kind of edge that this group lacks.

Uche may bend at the top of his rush to get to the quarterback since he is a quick rusher. He had an unusual experience with the New England Patriots last season, as they traded for him before deciding to keep him. Uche’s output dipped as a result, but he rebounded well in 2022, finishing with 11.5 sacks, 14 QB hits, and nine tackles for loss in his breakout season with the Patriots.

Uche would almost exclusively be a designated pass rusher, and due to his dip in production last season, his price tag shouldn’t be too high. Uche is likely going to sign somewhere for an annual average value of $7-10 million, which is right in Ballard’s price range.

There are actually a handful of guys I wouldn’t mind seeing the Colts sign in this spot. A few of those guys are Kendall Fuller, Chidobe Awuzie, and Donte Jackson to name a few. I also wouldn’t mind seeing a reunion with Rock Ya-Sin.

The reason I landed on Darious Williams is due to how well he played last season. At 30 years old (31 by the time the season starts), he would obviously be a short-term option. But one could argue he’s playing the best football of his career.

He finished the season with 4 interceptions (one of those he ran back for a touchdown) and had an amazing 19 passes defended, which is important when you look at a Colts secondary that couldn’t get their hands on enough footballs.

Williams is a guy that can come in and start immediately while you give guys like Jaylon Jones a chance to develop and Dallis Flowers a chance to fully recover from his season-ending injury.

The veteran safety market this free agency is really good. While there are a bunch of good options available for the Colts, one name sticks out above the rest and that’s Quandre Diggs.

Diggs is a smart, rangy free safety with the ability to track the ball at an elite level. The last five seasons, he has proven to be a playmaker in the secondary, grabbing 18 interceptions over that time. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and the exact type of leader you want in your secondary.

Whether Julian Blackmon is brought back or not, Diggs should be a top priority for the Colts as he has the potential to transform that back end and bring stability to a position that needs it in the worst way.