INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier today, we brought your attention to NFL.com's Top 101 Available Free Agents list, which includes three Indianapolis Colts players.
Well, that article had only been published for a few minutes before ProFootballTalk decided to get in on the fun, releasing its annual list of the top pending free agents in the 2017 offseason.
And, as you might imagine, the Colts contingent is quite the same across the two lists — with one exception.
Although tight end Jack Doyle and outside linebacker Erik Walden appear on both lists, it's veteran safety Mike Adams — and not defensive back Darius Butler, who appears on the NFL.com list — that is the third Colts representative on "PFT's Free Agent Hot 100," which you can see in its entirety by clicking here.
Interestingly, Doyle, Walden and Butler/Adams are each ranked pretty close to each other on both lists. Doyle, who was ranked as the 66th-best free agent on NFL.com's list, is ranked at No. 65 on PFT's; Walden was ranked as No. 87 on NFL.com, and is No. 79 on PFT; while Butler was No. 101 on NFL.com's and Adams is No. 99 on PFT's.
Now, PFT's list includes players set to become unrestricted and restricted free agents when the league's free agency period begins at 4 p.m. March 9, while NFL.com's list just appears to include the unrestricted free agents-to-be. So to still have three players on the PFT list despite having a larger pool of players from which to choose shows the Colts have a good chunk of wanted assets that will assuredly draw plenty of attention come next Thursday afternoon.
When looking at Adams specifically, teams across the league will find a well-seasoned safety entering his 14th season in the league in 2017, but one that remains extremely productive.
In 2016, he was second on the Colts with 80 total tackles, while also adding two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits and a tackle for a loss.
He is just two seasons removed from consecutive Pro Bowl seasons in 2014 and 2015. He was named to his first career Pro Bowl following the 2014 season after tying for the NFL lead in takeaways with seven (five interceptions, two fumble recoveries). It was his highest takeaway output in his 11 NFL seasons. Adams also posted a single-season career-high with 93 tackles and tied a career-best with 11 passes defensed.
In 2015, Adams ranked fourth on the team with 76 tackles and contributed with five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), despite playing in 13 games. His five interceptions tied a career-high (2014) and ranked tied for sixth in the NFL. Adams' three forced fumbles also set a new career-best.
While this perhaps might be the final free agent contract in a long career for Adams, he's still considered a major team leader and playmaker heading into his age 36 season. The Colts have many options at the safety position heading into 2017, but one could imagine seeing No. 29 back in the blue and white would be a popular decision among those in the locker room, as well as those in the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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.
