Tag: Indinapolis Colts

Another free agent safety signed: John Johnson lands with Rams

Whether the Colts are going to add a safety is unknown, but the free agent options have dwindled with John Johnson re-signing with the Rams.

Whether or not the Indianapolis Colts are going to make an addition at safety remains to be seen, but the free agent options at that position dwindled on Thursday with John Johnson re-signing with the Los Angeles Rams.

If there is one position where it still makes sense for the Colts to add to it is at safety. In addition to providing additional competition for Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas for that starting free safety role, depth is a need as well with Daniel Scott out for the season with an Achilles injury.

Over Johnson’s seven-year career, he has been a fairly sound tackler and recorded 15 interceptions and 32 pass breakups. He also has a career passer rating when targeted of 87.1. The 2020 season was Johnson’s best, where he ranked sixth in PFF’s run defense grade and third in coverage grade among all safeties.

Still available in free agency at the safety position are Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, and Quandre Diggs, among others. To see the full list of the top remaining free agent safeties–and cornerbacks–click here.

As I already highlighted, we don’t know if the Colts are actively trying to make an addition at safety or any position for that matter. But what we do know is a need exists at safety, and the Colts have the salary cap flexibility to make a signing with nearly $26 million in available cap space.

On top of that, as any GM should be doing, Chris Ballard mentioned after the draft that they would do their due diligence and look into if there are any potential free agent fits still out there.

“Between now and the start of the season – there are still some good players out there,” Ballard said after the draft. “There’s some veterans out there that can still play. We’ll dig and investigate all of them and then make a decision if we think they are the right fit for us as we go along.”

In addition to the Rams signing Johnson, it was also reported by Adam Schefter this week that free agent safety Tashaun Gipson will serve a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.

Colts got themselves a ‘bonafide No. 1’ WR in Adonai Mitchell

Emory Hunt believes that the Indianapolis Colts have found themselves a ‘bonafide No. 1’ wide receiver in Adonai Mitchell.

Emory Hunt of Football Gameplan and CBS Sports was recently on the Ross Tucker Podcast to discuss the incoming draft classes for the Indianapolis Colts and each of the AFC South teams.

Once Hunt began diving into the Colts’ draft class, he mentioned that he believes the Colts found a “bonafide No. 1” target at the receiver position in Adonai Mitchell, who he would compare to CeeDee Lamb:

“I had an 82 grade on him,” said Hunt about his pre-draft evaluation of Mitchell, “so that’s a high grade. They got themselves a bonafide No. 1. To me, he’s very much like CeeDee Lamb. He’s a catch-and-run threat, he can win on the outside, he can win on the inside. This was an excellent addition for the Indianapolis Colts.”

Mitchell possesses 4.34 speed and is a relatively polished route runner, which allows him to win at all levels of the field. Last season with Texas, Mitchell totaled 845 yards at 15.4 yards per catch with 11 scores. He comes to the NFL with plenty of big-game experience, having played in the College Football Playoffs all three collegiate seasons.

From the very early onset of the offseason, GM Chris Ballard made it known that adding more playmaking around quarterback Anthony Richardson was going to be a top priority. The Colts believe Mitchell can be that player and he’s already showcased that ability in OTAs and minicamp, seemingly making a play or two each day.

“The explosiveness that he comes off the ball and wins one-on-ones,” said Steichen during OTAs. “I mean he’s been making a ton of plays out here the last couple of days. He’s going to bring an element to our offense that we’re really excited about.”

Mitchell’s potential impact goes beyond just his own production. His ability to win as a route runner in a variety of ways can take some of that playmaking burden off of Richardson’s shoulders and also help open up other opportunities for Michael Pittman and Josh Downs with the attention he draws.

Lamb was an integral part of the Dallas offense immediately. During his rookie season, Lamb caught 74 of his 109 targets for 935 yards and five scores. He has since become one of the top receivers in football, totaling 1,123 yards in 2021, 1,544 yards in 2022, and 1,859 yards last season.

Hunt’s comparison between Mitchell and Lamb doesn’t mean that Mitchell will be totaling almost 1,900 receiving yards in a few seasons, but my guess is that more so, he was referring to thier play styles and ways they can impact the game. However, if Mitchell reaches the ceiling that Hunt believes he has, then the production will certainly follow.

“I’ve seen him do a lot of things I’ve never seen a receiver do,” said Richardson about Mitchell. “He gets open a lot. He has a lot of wiggle to him. He’s fast. He’s a big receiver, so it’s like, alright, just throw the ball to him and he gonna go get it. I’m excited to work with him this season.”

NFL Draft: Colts have met with Virginia Tech IDL Norell Pollard

The Colts have reportedly met with Virginia Tech interior defensive lineman Norell Pollard. Here is what you need to know.

The Colts have met with Virginia Tech interior defensive lineman Norell Pollard, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network. In what capacity the Colts met with Pollard was not specified, but it did happen around his Pro Day.

Pollard is undersized, listed at 6-0 – 285 pounds. In his interview with Melo, he mentioned that his Pro Day performance grabbed the attention of several teams. Pollard ran a 4.8-second 40, jumped 9-foot-5 on the broad, and did 29 reps on the bench press.

Pollard is a very experienced player with 2,340 career snaps and will line up at 3-tech in the NFL. He’s had decent production the last two years, recording 30 pressures in 2022 and 2023, along with five total sacks.

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His 30 pressures this past year were tied for the 18th-most among interior defenders. Pollard has also graded out okay as a run defender by PFF’s metrics.

“I’m going to make the best impact I can make,” said Pollard. “I’m going to be a great pass rusher at the next level. I can do that at a high level. I’m planning on being a great player. I’m somebody you want to have on your team.”

Pollard is projected to be taken either late on Day 3 or signing somewhere as an undrafted rookie. The Colts’ meeting with Pollard could have been an opportunity to build a bit of a relationship in case he does go undrafted.

After how this offseason has played out for the Colts, the interior defensive line is the furthest thing from a need, but with only six defensive tackles on the current roster, they could still be looking to add to that position group – and will likely do so through undrafted free agency – in order to have enough bodies for the summer and potentially a developmental prospect or two for the practice squad.