Category: Latest Colts News

Colts not close enough to contention to make big trade this offseason

There are a number of big name players potentially available for trade but the Colts aren’t close enough after an 8-9 season to make a move.

There appear to be a number of top tier players who could be available this offseason for trade. However, the Indianapolis Colts are not in a position currently to be acquiring those players.

So far this offseason, star pass rusher Myles Garrett has requested a trade from Cleveland. On Sunday, it was reported by Adam Schefter that 49ers’ receiver Deebo Samuel has been granted permission to find a trade partner.

Also on Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that the “long-term futures” of pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons are also up in the air at this time.

Would any of those players just mentioned make the Colts better? Of course they would. But also, the Colts aren’t one player away from being a contender either.

Following an 8-9 season in 2024, which was the fourth straight year that the Colts missed the playoffs and it also became the 10th consecutive year that Indianapolis didn’t win the AFC South, GM Chris Ballard was honest in his assessment of the team during his end of season press conference.

“Right now, we’re not close,”  Ballard said. “I’m going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close. No, I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get to the start of [next] season. But right now, sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team. We’ve got to own that.”

Ballard would admit that how he constructed the roster in 2024 was a “mistake.” While he banked on continuity being a catalyst for the Colts to take a big step forward following a 9-8 season in 2023, the team would instead regress.

DeForest Buckner would mention “ego” as one of the issues on the defensive side of the ball. Ballard would use the word “complacent” when discussing the roster.

To overcome that, the emphasis this offseason will be on competition and infusing that element throughout the team. As you look at this Colts roster, just about every position group could use an addition or two in that regard with the hope that it elevates the floor and play of each unit.

So for a Colts team that has work to do, parting with premium draft capital doesn’t make much sense when this team needs more than just one position addressed–even if it is with a really good player.

In addition to that, not only would the Colts be sending away a top flight draft pick or two to make an addition, but there is the salary cap impact as well of bringing on a hefty contract that would likely require an extension.

That is then going to limit what the Colts can do elsewhere in free agency. As of now, the Colts have a modest amount of cap spacing, ranking 18th with just over $28 million in salary cap room, according to Over the Cap.

While it’s a fun thought, the Colts are not close enough to contending where a trade of that magnitude would put them over the top and losing out on high draft picks and cap space would limit their ability to address other position groups when there is a need throughout most of the roster.

Top 3 free agent safety targets for Colts in 2025

With help from PFF, here are the top three free agent safeties for the Colts to look into adding to their roster.

Among the biggest positional needs that the Indianapolis Colts have to address this offseason is at safety.

The need for the Colts at this position is two-fold. For one, they just need more depth with only Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo under contract for the 2025 season.

But in addition to that, improved play is very much needed as well, which GM Chris Ballard pointed out during his season-ending press conference–again.

“We’ve got to get better,” said general manager Chris Ballard about the Colts’ secondary as a whole during his end of season press conference.

While we did see Nick Cross take a step forward as the team’s strong safety in 2024, the overall production from the secondary just wasn’t there for the Colts. Indianapolis would rank in the bottom third of the NFL in completion rate, yards per pass attempt, passer rating, and pass deflections.

Lou Anarumo’s disguise-heavy defensive scheme can hopefully lead to improved play on the back end, but Ballard needs to infuse competition and added talent on to the roster as well this offseason.

From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.

With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are the top available options at safety:

Jevon Holland, Dolphins

Playing alongside of Cross, Holland could fill the free safety role. Throughout his career, he’s been a reliable tackler and run defender, and has had solid ball production with six interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his first three NFL seasons from 2021-2023.

PFF’s projected contract: 4 years, $98 million

Talanoa Hufanga, 49ers

Injuries have limited Hufanga to just 17 games over the last two seasons. Over his career, Hufanga has been stout against the run and has limited pass catchers to only 10.1 yards per reception. He would total seven interceptions between the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well.

PFF’s projected contract: 2 years, $25 million

Camryn Bynum, Vikings

Bynum could slide right into that deep safety role with the Colts. During his first four seasons in Minnesota, Bynum has produced eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups. He’s also routinely graded out as a very good run defender and tackler as well. Opposing quarterbacks have a below-average passer rating when targeting him.

PFF’s projected contract: 3 years – $42.75 million

Colts 2025 free agency predictions: Will DT Taven Bryan return?

Up next in our Colts’ free agency predictions is defensive tackle Taven Bryan. Will he return for the 2025 season?

In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.

Up next, let’s take a look at defensive tackle Taven Bryan. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.

Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin
Mark Glowinski

Bryan has spent the last two seasons with the Colts in a rotational role along the defensive front behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner.

In 159 pass rush snaps, Bryan would total just eight pressures last season. Out of 124 eligible interior defenders, Bryan ranked 96th in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric.

Against the run, he ranked 120th out of 149 defensive tackles in run-stop rate.

While there are a lot of position groups that GM Chris Ballard could add to this offseason, improving the depth behind Stewart and Buckner has to be on the to-do list. Offenses would routinely take advantage of the Colts’ interior front when those two weren’t on the field.

To a degree, Bryan’s role within Gus Bradley’s defense was always a bit head-scratching. The strength of his game in his career has been as a pass rusher and his most productive years have come where he’s seen more snaps away from the interior.

However, even so, after two underwhelming seasons it feels like Bryan’s time in Indianapolis has run its course and if Ballard is truly going to emphasize competition this offseason, then it’s time to go in a different direction when it comes to the interior defensive line depth.

Prediction: Taven Bryan signs elsewhere.

Colts named a top landing spot for former first-round pick at QB

The Colts were named a landing spot for this former first-round pick and current free agent quarterback.

General manager Chris Ballard mentioned that the Indianapolis Colts need to bring in competition for Anthony Richardson this offseason. Could free agent Justin Fields be an option for the Colts?

Tyler Brooke of the 33rd Football Team recently selected four top landing spots for Fields if he doesn’t return to Pittsburgh, which according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, is still in play.

Among the teams that Brooke mentioned with the Colts were the Ravens, Raiders, and Rams.

“Fields could come to Indianapolis and bring a similar skill set to Richardson, utilizing his legs and arm talent to run the scheme that Shane Steichen has been building out during the last couple of seasons,” wrote Brooke. “It also might be Fields’ best chance of playing as a preferred backup, either due to injury or performance.”

Fields was the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the first six games of the 2024 season while Russell Wilson was injured.

Compared to his time in Chicago, Fields was much more efficient, completing 65% of his passes at a modest 6.8 yards per attempt with five touchdowns to one interception in Pittsburgh’s run first offense. Fields would rank 25th in average depth of target out of 44 eligible quarterbacks in 2024.

With Richardson navigating injuries during his first two seasons along with inconsistent play when on the field, Ballard said during his season-ending press conference that bringing in competition would be on the Colts’ to-do list this offseason.

“We knew when we took him it was going to be a roller coaster,” Ballard said of Richardson. “The number one thing we have to figure out and have to work through is he’s got to stay healthy. That, to me, is the biggest question.

“We have to have competition at the position because competition makes you better and because he’s not proven he can stay healthy for 17 games.”

Now, how the Colts plan to go about doing that we don’t have that answer. Will they look to free agency? Would Ballard spend an early or mid-round pick on a quarterback?

This is a massive decision, not only because the need to win now for the Colts and Ballard is extremely high and improved quarterback play is required to do that, but if Richardson loses the competition and is the backup, that’s a sign that his time with Indianapolis could be winding down.

3 Former Colts playing in Eagles vs Chiefs Super Bowl 59 matchup

Three former Indianapolis Colts players will be playing in the Eagles vs. Chiefs’ Super Bowl 59 matchup.

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, and in the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, there are three former Indianapolis Colts players who will be competing in the big game.

This will be the second time in three seasons that the Chiefs and Eagles have met in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are looking to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three championships in a row.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are looking to win their second Super Bowl title since 2017.

Before Super Bowl 59 kicks off, let’s take a look at which former Colts players are playing:

QB Carson Wentz, Chiefs: With the Colts for the 2021 season, Wentz had Indianapolis on the cusp of the playoffs. That season, he completed 62% of his passes at 6.9 yards per attempt with 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions.

Unfortunately, need a win in their final two games that year, the Colts would lose in each of those contests, with Wentz struggling down the stretch that year. Wentz was then traded in the offseason.

This is Wentz’s first season with the Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes’ backup.

WR Parris Campbell, Eagles: Campbell was a second-round pick by the Colts in the 2019 NFL draft.

In his four seasons with the team, Campbell would appear in only 32 games. He totaled 938 receiving yards with five touchdowns during that span. His most productive season came in 2022 when he caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three scores.

With the Eagles this season, Campbell has appeared in five games and has six receptions for 30 yards.

CB Isaiah Rodgers, Eagles: Rodgers was a sixth-round pick by the Colts in 2020. He was suspended for the 2023 season for violating the NFL’s gambling policy and was then released by Indianapolis.

In his three years with the Colts, Rodgers played in 45 games, totaling three interceptions and six pass breakups. with the Eagles this season, Rodgers played in 15 regular season games.

Also of note, kicker Spencer Shrader is on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted rookie last offseason and spent training camp with the team before being on and off the Indianapolis practice squad for much of the season before landing in Kansas City.

Here is a first look at Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 NFL draft hat

During Super Bowl week we got our first look at the Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 NFL draft hat.

During Super Bowl week, we got our first look at what the Indianapolis Colts’ 2025 NFL draft hat will look like.

These are the hats that draft picks will put on when selected as they walk across the big stage.

The Fantasy Life account on X recently posted pictures of each team’s 2025 NFL draft hat. Below is a look at the Colts:

The embroidery that you see on the brim is the same for every team. Then under each team’s logo is the team’s location printed out and a nice touch is the team specific pin next to the logo.

For the Colts, the pin is an anvil, representative of the ‘Colts forged’ theme, which includes an honorary guest prior to each home game banging on the anvil at Lucas Oil Stadium prior to kickoff.

The Colts will enter the 2025 NFL draft with the 14th overall pick and have seven selections in total.

A few of the biggest needs that general manager Chris Ballard will have to address this offseason are tight end, safety, and cornerback.

However, if the emphasis this offseason is truly on adding competition throughout the roster–which Ballard spoke about at his end of season press conference–than just about every position on this roster could be added to in some capacity after an 8-9 season.

You can follow the links below to preview each position on the Colts’ roster heading into the offseason:

Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Interior offensive line
Offensive tackle
Defensive tackle
Defensive end
Linebacker
Cornerback
Safety

Colts 2025 free agency predictions: Will OL Mark Glowinski return?

Up next in our Colts’ 2025 free agency predictions is offensive lineman Mark Glowinski. Will he return for the upcoming season?

In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.

Up next, let’s take a look at offensive lineman Mark Glowinski. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.

Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin

Glowinski was a late addition to the Colts’ 2024 roster, joining the team in Week 13 just before the bye and taking over as the starting right guard with Will Fries on injured reserve and rookie Dalton Tucker struggling.

The addition of Glowinski to the starting lineup did help provide some needed stability up front for the Colts, particularly in the run game. From Weeks 9-12, if we take out Jonathan Taylor’s 58 yard run against the Bills, he averaged just 2.9 yards per rush during that span.

But from Week 13 on, Taylor rushed for 96 yards, 107 yards, 218 yards, 125 yards, and 177 yards at over 5.0 yards per attempt. That isn’t to say Glowinski was the sole reason for that production, but the numbers show he was a factor.

As a pass protector, however, Glowinski was much more up-and-down, allowing 13 pressures and three sacks in five games.

Also a free agent this offseason is Fries and whether or not he returns will dictate how big of a need the offensive line is for the Colts. If Fries were to end up elsewhere, finding a right guard becomes one of Indianapolis’ top priorities with Tucker being the only viable option currently under contract for the 2025 season.

However, even if Fries is back, bolstering the interior offensive line depth will be on the to-do list. In addition to Glowinski being a free agent, so are Danny Pinter and Ryan Kelly.

Glowinski showed that he can still step in if needed and he’s not a player that is going to break the salary cap bank by any means.

So my prediction is that he returns to provide some experienced depth on the offensive line and does so on what will be a relatively inexpensive deal. This is a low risk move for the Colts that can help raise the floor of this unit.

Prediction: Mark Glowinski is re-signed.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin makes his pitch to free agents

On an appearance on the Jim Rome Show, LB Zaire Franklin made his pitch for why free agents should join the Colts.

On an appearance recently on the Jim Rome Show, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was asked this question:

Why is Indianapolis a destination where other guys should want to be?

Franklin then provided a few reasons why free agents should be looking to join the Colts.

“First of all, Lou is a well-respected DC in this league. From the Pro Bowl, every single player that I met that played against him, was on the same team as him, even offensive guys from (Joe) Mixon to Ja’Marr (Chase), to all those guys, had extreme respect for Lou and talked about his defensive mind and his ability to put players in positions to succeed.

Anarumo comes to Indianapolis after six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator, where he was dubbed the “Mad Scientist.”

Anarumo earned that nickname for operating a versatile and quick to adapt defensive scheme that emphasizes disguising coverages to keep offenses and quarterbacks guessing.

The next point that Franklin made was that each level of the Colts defense, they have Pro Bowl caliber players.

“And then we got Pro Bowlers at this point, playmakers at all three levels,” added Franklin. “You got myself, DeForest (Buckner), and Kenny Moore. So adding another dynamic playmaker to that mix, whether it’s secondary, D-line or linebacker room, it’s only going to add to that and help make this an all-time unit.”

There were stretches last season where this Colts’ defense played at a pretty high level. The defense’s performance in their must-win game against Denver is one example of that and there are others.

However, the season-long issue was a lack of consistency with many of the same problems, like missed tackles and explosive plays, plaguing this unit for much of the year.

Pressure-wise, the Colts didn’t get after quarterbacks often enough. Several opposing running backs had big days against Indianapolis and as GM Chris Ballard said after the season, the play in the secondary wasn’t good enough.

Lastly, Franklin brought up the offense, specifically Shane Steichen’s scheme, which included three Colts receivers all eclipsing the 800-yard receiving mark in 2024.

“Offensively, Shane, everybody that is going to play for him offensively loves his scheme, loves how he gets guys the ball,” Franklin said. “We got a lot of things going and JT of course.”

Anarumo’s more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme can hopefully help with some of the heavy lifting when it comes to the Colts defense improving. But Ballard is going to have to make additions as well, which from the sounds of it, he will be more willing to do as he attempts to bolster the competition on the roster this offseason.

As eluded to, the secondary play has to improve. At linebacker, the Colts need a stronger presence against the pass, which perhaps Jaylon Carlies can provide, and the depth behind Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve.

On offense, meanwhile, running back depth, a greater presence in the passing game, and competition for Anthony Richardson are all items that could be on Ballard’s to-do list.

The Colts will enter the offseason with just over $28 million in available cap space. From a spending power standpoint, that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL at 18th–however, Indianapolis does have the means to create quite a bit more cap space for free agency if needed.

Top 3 free agent targets for Colts at tight end

With the tight end position being a big need for the Colts, who are the top free agent options this offseason?

Who are some of the top free agent options available at the tight end position for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason?

As general manager Chris Ballard said after the season, the Colts need a much greater presence in the passing game from the tight end position.

The Colts’ tight end unit as a whole in 2024 would total just 467 receiving yards. Believe it or not, there were actually 25 individual tight ends last season who had more receiving yards than the Colts entire tight end room.

There is also something to be said for having a tight end who can impact both the running and passing games. When that element is present in an offense, there’s a layer of unpredictability that comes with that, and can help keep defenses off-balanced because there are a variety or roles that player can have on any given play.

However, when it comes to addressing this need, the draft may end being the Colts best avenue for doing so. This year’s free agent class at the tight end position isn’t very strong, which and either lead to contracts increasing or not finding the desired impact that’s needed.

But on the flip side of that, adding some sort of help in free agency can reduce the feeling of ‘we have to address this position’ in the draft. No team wants to feel like drafting a certain position group is a must because it can limit flexibility. And while everyone is fixated on the Colts landing Tyler Warren, that’s not a given either.

From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.

With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are three of the top available options at tight end:

Juwan Johnson, Saints

Johnson had his most productive year as a pass-catcher in 2024, totaling 50 receptions on 64 targets (78%) for 548 yards with three scores. In two of the last three seasons, he’s eclipsed the 500 yard receiving mark.

For what it’s worth–and while not the be-all-end-all by any means–as a run-blocker in PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as average to below-average in that category.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

According to PFF’s metrics, Gesicki greatly improved as a run-blocker in 2024 compared to his grades in previous seasons–although his bread-and-butter is as a receiving threat. As a pass-catcher, he totaled 665 yards in 2024 with two touchdowns.

Of note, Gesicki was rarely asked to line up in-line, and instead spent his time in the slot or on the boundary. During the 2020 and 2021 season with Miami, Gesicki surpassed 700 receiving yards in each of those seasons.

Tyler Conklin, Jets

Conklin’s production has been steady in the passing game over the last four seasons. He totaled 449 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2024, while from 2021-2023, he totaled at least 550 receiving yards in each of those seasons.

Conklin lines up primarily in-line, although he can play from the slot, and by PFF’s grading system, he’s graded out as a so-so run-blocker.

Reacting to Colts selections in 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft

Let’s break down the Indianapolis Colts’ selections in this seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft.

Who did the Indianapolis Colts end up selecting in this seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft?

It’s not often that at this early stage of the pre-draft process do we see a full seven-round NFL mock draft. So when one does pop up, we’ve got to break down and react to each of the Colts’ selections.

Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network recently made each pick for all 32 teams over the full seven rounds of the draft. Here is who he had the Colts taking and what you need to know:

Pick 14: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks would be a “perfect fit” for Lou Anarumo’s defense, wrote Cummings. His versatility and ability to play both the run and the pass would mesh well with Anarumo’s disguise-heavy scheme. And if you’re wondering, Cummings had the Colts making this pick with Tyler Warren still on the board.

Pick 45: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Morrison’s 2024 season was ended in October after he underwent hip surgery. However, through six games, he allowed a completion rate of just 44% and 10.4 yards per catch. His career completion rate when targeted is 46% and includes nine interceptions and 12 pass breakups over three seasons.

Pick 80: Harold Fanin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

We know the Colts need an added presence in the passing game at the tight end position–well, here you go. Fanin is undersized at 238 pounds but led all of college football in receiving yards at the tight end position with 1,555 in 2024. Fanin has ample experience lining up from the slot and out wide.

Pick 116: Ty Robinson, IDL, Nebraska

The Colts depth along the interior behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner has to improve. Robinson would total 42 pressures, six sacks, and graded out well against the run, according to PFF’s metrics.

Pick 152: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Jonathan Taylor is still under contract, but improved depth behind him could help to reduce his workload over the course of a long NFL season. The Colts could also benefit from having a passing game threat out of the backfield as well. Tuten rushed for over 1,100 yards in two of the last three seasons and has 118 targets in the passing game in his four college seasons.

Pick 191: Brian Stevens, C, Virginia

The extent to which the Colts have to address the offensive line will be dependent upon whether Will Fries returns. But even if he’s re-signed, interior depth is still needed with Ryan Kelly, Mark Glowinski and Danny Pinter free agents as well. Stevens has been very good in pass-protection throughout his career and has been graded as an above average run-blocker as well.

Pick 234: Daniel Jackson, WR, Minnesota

Wide receiver is probably the last position the Colts have to address, but in the latter portion of the draft, team needs take a back seat. Primarily a boundary receiver, Jackson has totaled nearly 1,700 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns the last two seasons combined.