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INDIANAPOLIS — While the NFL exploded with free agency news at the beginning of the new league year over the past couple weeks, the Indianapolis Colts mostly stood pat in terms of dishing out large deals.
They have, however, brought back several of their own in-house free agents, added young, talented receiver Devin Funchess and then made some big waves on Thursday by signing former Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro edge rusher Justin Houston.
The Colts' priority has been developing and rewarding their own players. Here is a look at the Colts’ own free agents accompanied by what type of free agent they are (unrestricted, restricted, exclusive rights):
- UFA — LB Najee Goode, WR Ryan Grant, DE Geneo Grissom, TE Ryan Hewitt, WR Dontrelle Inman, S Mike Mitchell, OT J'Marcus Webb, S J.J. Wilcox, DT Al Woods
- RFA — C/G Evan Boehm, S Matthias Farley, S Corey Moore, WR Chester Rogers
- ERFA — WR Marcus Johnson
Free agency is a 365-day process, so there will always be fish out there to reel in. Although many of the higher-quality players are off the board, there are still plenty who can contribute.
Today, we present our second Colts.com 2019 Free Agency Big Board. Rather than a typical big board in which players are ranked, we present you our top 20 available free agents for the Colts, broken up into positions and then listed alphabetically.
OFFENSE
| PLAYER | POSITION | 2019 AGE | 2018 TEAM | BREAKDOWN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Ajayi | Running Back | 25 | Philadelphia Eagles | Reports had Ajayi visiting the Colts this week, and for good reason. Colts head coach Frank Reich knows Ajayi from their time together in Philadelphia. If recovered from his 2018 ACL tear, Ajayi could bring attitude and physical running to whatever backfield he winds up in. |
| Alfred Blue | Running Back | 27 | Houston Texans | Blue has been a thorn in the Colts' side for awhile, pushing piles forward between the tackles, moving the chains and scoring touchdowns. |
| Isaiah Crowell | Running Back | 26 | New York Jets | Like Ajayi and Blue, Crowell runs with plenty of "umph" behind his shoulder pads and could help the Colts in short-yardage situations. |
| Justin Hunter | Wide Receiver | 27 | Pittsburgh Steelers | At 6-4, Hunter is a tall, long red-zone threat that the Colts tend to take a chance on. |
| Brett Jones | Offensive Lineman | 27 | Minnesota Vikings | You can never have too much depth along the offensive line, and Jones would bring just that. The veteran has been serviceable in limited action over the last few years. |
| T.J. Jones | Wide Receiver | 26 | Detroit Lions | Jones has the ability to play outside and in the slot. With Colts slot receiver Chester Rogers remaining a free agent for now, Jones could potentially help in that department. |
| Rod Smith | Running Back | 27 | Dallas Cowboys | Smith is an underrated, intriguing option. It seems like he's answered the call for Dallas anytime he's been needed, both as a runner and pass catcher. |
| Jared Veldheer | Offensive Tackle | 31 | Denver Broncos | The Colts could use reinforcements at tackle for depth. Veldheer is a capable starter (if needed) and would be in the vein of the J'Marcus Webb and Austin Howard signings that the Colts made in 2018. |
DEFENSE
| PLAYER | POSITION | 2019 AGE | 2018 TEAM | BREAKDOWN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jahleel Addae | Safety | 29 | Los Angeles Chargers | Not to be confused with former Colts running back Joseph Addai, safety Jahleel Addae has been a quality player throughout his career and can play both the run and pass. |
| Ezekiel Ansah | Defensive End | 29 | Detroit Lions | Ansah hasn't been able to stay on the field consistently due to injury in recent years, but when he's healthy he's among he league's best pass rushers. |
| Tre Boston | Safety | 26 | Arizona Cardinals | Boston has bounced around the league in the past few years, but he's a playmaker wherever he goes, totaling 10 interceptions since 2016. |
| Josh Bynes | Linebacker | 29 | Arizona Cardinals | A late bloomer, Bynes began to play at a high level for Arizona last year before landing on Injured Reserve with a thumb injury. |
| Jamie Collins | Linebacker | 29 | Cleveland Browns | The Colts brought in a veteran linebacker last year who acted as a mentor to the team's young linebacking corps in Najee Goode. If he doesn't return, we could see something similar with Collins. |
| Rodney Gunter | Defensive Tackle | 27 | Arizona Cardinals | Gunter has been an under-the-radar name from the defensive tackle position, putting up 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2018. |
| George Iloka | Safety | 29 | Minnesota Vikings | Iloka was a surprise name to hit the market last year when the Bengals let him go and the Vikings picked him up. He's back and available again and can offer solid play and veteran dependability. |
| Timmy Jernigan | Defensive Tackle | 26 | Philadelphia Eagles | Jernigan would fit in well in a scheme like Matt Eberflus'. The 295-pounder would be turned loose to wreak havoc in the backfield. |
| Dion Jordan | Defensive End | 29 | Seattle Seahawks | The player that many hoped Jordan to be as a top-five draft pick may never come, but it doesn't mean he can't contribute to a team. If he can stay healthy, he's got plenty of juice and athleticism to be disruptive. |
| Aaron Lynch | Defensive Lineman | 26 | Chicago Bears | Lynch has also been reported to have visited the Colts recently. He has the size and frame that the Colts covet to play guys outside and inside in certain packages. He's shown to be a productive rusher during his career. |
| Cassius Marsh | Defensive End | 26 | San Francisco 49ers | Marsh has bounced around the league, but he's been a productive pass rusher in spurts. He was a quality player for San Francisco, but acquiring Dee Ford made Marsh a casualty. |
| Shane Ray | Defensive End | 25 | Denver Broncos | Reports say that Ray visited the Colts this week, so if that's the case then there is obviously interest there. The former first-round pick hasn't quite flourished so far, but it's not too late. |
