INDIANAPOLIS – The countdown clock is officially ticking at less than 24 hours.
Free agency is just hours away from beginning.
Players that are still unsigned come 4:00 on Thursday p.m. EST will be free to sign wherever they choose.
Teams all over the NFL have some final-minute decisions to make regarding their own free agents.
The Colts are one of those.
We've already had some Colts news this week:
-The Colts moved on from safety Mike Adams.
-Versatile offensive lineman Joe Reitz retired, which freed up a couple of million in cap space.
-The important re-signing of tight end Jack Doyle.
-And a reported trade of Dwayne Allen to New England.
Chris Ballard must also decide on what to do with the following names (both unrestricted and restricted free agents):
The 2017 UFAs left for the Colts
- S/CB-Darius Butler:The move to safety seems to be **a very realistic possibility for Butler**, no matter where he plays next season. Despite being north of 30 years old, Butler's new-found flexibility in the secondary will be attractive going into free agency. Of the seven remaining UFAs, Butler might be the most likely re-sign guy based on his play last season/and a at need safety.
- OLB-Chris Carter:Carter is one of three free agent outside linebackers for the Colts. He hardly played **any defensive snaps for the Colts last year**.
- OLB-Trent Cole:Like Adams, **Cole talks like a guy who definitely wants to keep on playing**. Cole, 34, returned from a September back injury to record two sacks in the final month of the season.
- OG-Hugh Thornton: is the lone offensive line free agent for the Colts in 2017. A third-round pick in 2013, **Thornton is the last remaining player** from that draft class still in Indy.
- RB-Jordan Todman:When [Quan Bray
went on injured reserve in early October, **Todman filled in nicely at kick returner**. Two of [Frank Gore
's three backups from this past season are free agents.
- RB-Robert Turbin:Turbin has expressed a desire to compete for a starting running back job, but also has stated **he wants to come back to the Colts for a second season**. Those two things (probably) don't match up in Indy this coming fall. Turbin was very solid in playing right behind Gore in 2017. If the Colts don't bring Turbin back, the backup running back position is a definite need this offseason.
- OLB-[Erik Walden
: The money signs should be gleaming from Walden's eyes. Last week, several of the NFL's top pass rushers were nabbed with the franchise tag. **If Walden tests the open market**, he will be one of the top free agent sack guys in 2017.
Not to be forgotten, the Colts also must make some moves with three other free agents.
The Colts have three restricted free agents in 2017: C-[Jonotthan Harrison, DL-[Zach Kerr
and ILB-[Josh McNary
.
None of those players have received tenders yet, which would allow the Colts to match another team's offer.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
