If all goes according to plan, the Indianapolis Colts will be entering free agency at the beginning of next week where they will target the defensive tackle position.
When looking at pure need, the defensive tackle position might be atop the list. Of course, the quarterback and wide receiver positions have their case as well. But the Colts rarely generated any consistent pressure from their interior defensive line, regardless of whether it was from the three-tech or the one-tech.
This leaves them with a massive need at what Chris Ballard believes is the engine of the defense. Here are six options the Colts should consider in free agency:
Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | Age: 25
This one is a no-brainer so we won’t spend too much time on it. Jones is likely to be franchise tagged by the Chiefs—the deadline is Monday at noon—so the Colts would have to trade for him. That’s unlikely to happen, but the NFL is unpredictable.
Jones would be a fantastic addition to the Colts defensive line and probably would be the perfect fit in their gap-shooting front. He has the size to line up at either interior spot and can win in several ways, both power and finesse. Unfortunately, the Colts are unlikely to get the chance to offer him.