With almost the most salary-cap space in the NFL, the Indianapolis Colts could easily splurge in free agency on a player like Yannick Nagakoue. But that cost might be too high for general manager Chris Ballard.
With the franchise tag still on the table for the Jacksonville Jaguars to use on the best defensive end in the market, it seems Ngakoue and his party want him to become the highest-paid defensive end in the league in terms of average annual value.
Per Mike DiRocco of ESPN, Ngakoue is seeking $22 million annually on the market.
Ngakoue wants a long-term deal and is seeking about $22 million annually. He also indicated late last season that he would be unlikely to show up until the Aug. 11 reporting deadline for players under contract if he had to play on the franchise tag.
At 25 years old, Ngakoue is hitting the market at the right time. He has age, production and durability on his side in negotiations. But if he is truly seeking that much per season in salary, it would likely be enough to keep the Colts from being serious bidders for him.
If Ngakoue got his $22 million per season, he would be the second-highest paid edge rusher in the NFL—just behind Khalil Mack ($23 million) and just ahead of DeMarcus Lawrence ($21 million) and Frank Clark ($20 million).
If we know Ballard from the last three offseasons, then we know he’s not privy to giving up that kind of money. Not including draft picks, Ballard has signed just five players to contracts worth more than $22 million total—let alone having that be an average annual salary.
This isn’t to say Ngakoue wouldn’t be worth it. Maybe $22 million is a little too expensive, but he checks all of the boxes. He’s young (25 years old), productive (37.5 sacks and 85 quarterback hits) and reliable (has played in 63 of a possible 64 games).
Ngakoue is going to get paid this offseason. There is no denying it. But if he truly is looking to get $22 million annually, it is tough to see the Colts giving out that much money what with Ballard’s history of frugal spending in free agency.