Hoose

Chloe, you need to calm way down. Sneed was definitely an upgrade but there is a lot of time left in FA and some good players out there who can improve the team. Let’s see how the rest of the FA period plays out before going jihad on Ballard.

Cam Hart comes to mind. Max Melton too, just to name a couple.

Agree. He’d be a great developmental player. He has promise.

This is a good take of the social media landscape out there. But there is no question that the Colts are still in need at their biggest weaknesses: DB, pass rush and WR. The draft will help, over time, but not immediately. For ex., Ballard cannot just sit out the rest of FA and not deal with the safety mess. The Colts FS situation is abysmal. So I expect him to make a move there. But the rest of the division has improved while the Colts are treading water, so Yardbarker isn’t woofing up the wrong tree. Fingers crossed that there are some good moves to come pre draft.

Amen brother.

I have to agree with keeping Kelly. Don’t mess with a good thing. They DO need a center fielder though. Simmons would be my choice.

Thought I’d take a shot at this. The Colts make one trade after several targets go off the board before pick 15. They deal with Arizona, trading Picks 15 and 151 for picks 27, 66 and 90, giving them three 3rd round picks( incl. their own). Gives them 5 picks in the top 90. Pick 27: Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa Pick 46: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan Pick 66: Cam Hart, CB, N. Dame Pick 82: Marshawn Kneeland, DE, W. Mich. Pick 90: Mason McCormick, G, S. Dak. St. RD 4 : James Williams, LB, Miami RD 6 : Kristian Boyd, DT, N. Iowa RD 7 : Isaiah Davis, RB, S. Dak. St. Thoughts: 1. I think Cooper D. will be a stud, likely moving to FS and giving the Colts a solid future at the position. Just a pure, uber-talented football player. 2. Roman Wilson is probably a first round pick in any normal NFL draft. This one just happens to be amazingly stacked at WR. 3. Hart, Kneeland and McCormick can contribute their first year and are future starters, as is Williams. 4. Boyd and Davis are solid depth. 5. I can certainly see the Colts grabbing a block first TE later in the draft as a replacement for MAC.

Because his sack and QB hit rate is off the charts. Sign him and you don’t sign Lewis? Let’s not kid ourselves. The Colts’ pass rush late in games was non existent. They need more talent there and will have to address it one way or another. This was a rare opportunity to nab a rising talent while still affordable.

I would not include Huff in your group of “shiny new toys”. His stats show a special player who was underutilized by the Jets. I think he’d have made the Colts’ pass rush special, and will prove to be a bargain at $17m.

I suspect you’re right. Nobody can blame Simmons for trying to get a big payday. After all, he made, what, $13m last year? But the market is the true reality, he’s 31 yrs old, and he’ll have to settle for less. Not sure what that will be… maybe 2 yrs, $20m, $12m guaranteed? I do think he’d be an excellent pickup for the Colts. I hope they sign him.

I doubt he gets more than 3-4. He’s always injured, and hasn’t got the track record yet. Honestly, he’d be smart to sign a one year prove it deal and try again in ‘25.

I agree with you that having to wait for Sneed before making a move for a FS is frustrating. But the fact that the market has calmed down for the remaining FS’s does play into the Colts’ hands. Simmons would be an awesome get and hopefully is the Colts’ top target given the need for a talented, experienced center fielder. I’m not clear what his prospective salary is supposed to be but every day he remains unsigned should improve the Colts’ chances of getting him for a bargain. Sneed and Simmons would instantly turn the Colts’ secondary into a force, and make this off season a major success.

I don’t see two outsider safeties being signed but getting Blackmon back and signing Simmons seems like a real possibility.

They should re-sign him, and also sign Simmons. And they are perfectly capable of making room for Sneed’s salary while also fixing the safety room. Restructures; cut MAC, for example.

Uh….. no.

This makes far more sense than the rumors about pick 15.

I keep reading that this draft is very weak after Round 4. If true, the value in accumulating more Day 3 picks won’t be there this year.

Good trade for both teams.

Well said. I agree that the pass rush and d-backs have to improve. I still have hope for a difference making FS in free agency. There’s a few out there that can help. I’m discouraged about the failure to improve the pass rush but a better secondary might loosen the reins on the blitz, and that would improve things. So I’m still hopeful. Appreciate the dialogue between you and NCF.

Given what was left out there, this is the best backup for AR they could have signed.

Simmons makes so much sense. Fingers crossed.

I expect Penix to go possibly late first/ more likely early second round. He’s not ready to start but he’d be an excellent developmental piece for the right team. New England and Washington are QB needy and have early 2nd round picks. Both feel like good fits.

Getting back to Colts needs, their greatest gap in talent, Without question, is free safety. There’s a few out there still. I’m looking for a signing today.

Just too expensive. I’d rather grab Brian Thomas with pick 15, or if he’s taken, trade back a little and grab one of the other WRs. JJ is the best but the cap space he will demand is just not feasible.

I think the Colts will make a move for a free safety this week. It’s a major weakness and there is still talent out there in free agent land. Patience.