2023 Colts Free Agents - a first look

[John Hammonds]

Since there's not much else to do but wait 120 minutes for the season to end, I thought I would take a look at the Sportrac free agent list, and give first impressions on whether we should sign or not sign each guy.  Here's the list:  https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/indianapolis-colts/

 

Yannick Ngakoue - DE - age 27.9 - 2022 AAV $13,000,000

KEEP -- Yes, he's not a complete DE.  But he will give you double digit sacks.  He's the Leo in this scheme, and as long as Gus is here, he should be too.

Matt Prior - OL - age 28.0 - 2022 AAV $5,545,000

RELEASE -- Nope, nope, nope.  He wasn't the answer.  At any of the OL spots.  Thank you for your services.  There's the door.

Brandon Facyson - CB - age 28.2 - 2022 AAV $3,840,000

RELEASE -- He was the weak point in our DB corps.  Keep Gilmore and Rodgers, and continue to draft the position.

Tyquan Lewis - DL - age 27.8 - 2022 AAV $2,545,000

RELEASE -- I hate to say it, because I love the guy.  But he played only 48 out of 82 games, and started 16 of them.  And with Odeyingbo developing, there's not much need for him.

Ashton Dulin - WR - age 25.6 - 2022 AAV $2,433,000

KEEP -- Absolutely!  No, he's not a starter.  Yes, he's WR4.  But he's a keeper.  He stays.

Rodney McLeod - FS - age 32.5 - 2022 AAV $1,770,000

KEEP -- Yes, he's not young.  And yes, he plays the same position as Nick Cross.  I want Cross to earn the position.  I don't just want to give it to him.  Take it from the guy in front of you.

Ben Banogu - DE - age 26.9 - 2022 AAV $1,486,127

RELEASE -- He's the centerpiece of the failed bustmobile that was the 2019 draft.  Wasted pick.

Dennis Kelly - OT - age 32.9 - 2022 AAV $1,272,500

KEEP -- I don't want him as a starter.  But he's a decent backup.  Good veteran depth.

Parris Campbell - WR - age 25.4 - 2022 AAV $1,193,984

KEEP -- After a devastating start with so many injuries, Campbell is gonna wind up with 600+ yards on the season.  Not bad for a WR3.  Give him a 2-year deal.

Armani Watts - S - age 26.8 - 2022 AAV $1,187,500

MEH -- Don't know much about him.  If he's cheap, and he's good depth and special teams, then sign him.

Matt Haak - P - age 28.4 - 2022 AAV $1,035,000

RELEASE -- As long as Rigoberto Sanchez can return from his achilles injury.

Tony Brown - CB - age 26.4 - 2022 AAV $965,000

MEH -- If he's cheap special teams work, then sign him.  Otherwise, meh.

Chase McLaughlin - K - age 26.7 - 2022 AAV $965,000

KEEP -- He may not be perfect, but he's certainly not a headache.  Give that boy money, and let him keep kicking.

Bobby Okereke - LB - age 26.4 - 2022 AAV $905,529

KEEP -- He's been patiently waiting, while starting nearly every game.  I think he's plateaued, and may never be a pro bowler.  But he's good enough, and dependable.  Pay him.

Khalid Kareem - DE - age 24.7 - 2022 AAV $895,000

MEH - Who?  Is he depth?  Special teams?  Replaceable?  Dunno.

Chris Williams - DT - age 24.5 - 2022 AAV $825,000

MEH - Again, who?  In the shadow of Buckner and Stewart, no DT is gonna shine much.

Byron Cowart - DT - age 26.6 - 2022 AAV $704,861

MEH - Don't know who this is, but is he necessary?

E.J. Speed - LB - age 27.5 - 2022 AAV $702,349

KEEP -- One of Ballard's best finds, from tiny Tarleton State.  Whether on the field or on special teams, this kid can play.  Give him some real money.

Deon Jackson - RB - age 23.8 - 2022 AAV $660,000

KEEP -- But not for a lot.  He's insurance, in case JT gets injured.  He's not a feature piece.

[Colt Overseas]

I just wonder where Bobby Okereke will fit in to the defense when Leonard returns to fitness. Bobby clearly showed that he is a better weakside than middle linebacker. For example, in the few games they were both fit this season, Leonard started alongside Zaire with Bobby Okereke on the bench. 
 

Big call to be made there this off-season imo. Okereke played really well and there are concerns over Leonard’s long term health, plus he is on huge money.

[Archer]

I agree on all the important ones except Okereke.  He’s gonna be paid a lot by someone, and we’ll be in great shape with Leonard, Franklin, and Speed.  Looking at the snap counts, we’re usually only playing two LBs at a time, anyway.

[Matabix]

21 hours ago, John Hammonds said:

Since there's not much else to do but wait 120 minutes for the season to end, I thought I would take a look at the Sportrac free agent list, and give first impressions on whether we should sign or not sign each guy.  Here's the list:  https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/indianapolis-colts/

 

Yannick Ngakoue - DE - age 27.9 - 2022 AAV $13,000,000

KEEP -- Yes, he's not a complete DE.  But he will give you double digit sacks.  He's the Leo in this scheme, and as long as Gus is here, he should be too.

Matt Prior - OL - age 28.0 - 2022 AAV $5,545,000

RELEASE -- Nope, nope, nope.  He wasn't the answer.  At any of the OL spots.  Thank you for your services.  There's the door.

Brandon Facyson - CB - age 28.2 - 2022 AAV $3,840,000

RELEASE -- He was the weak point in our DB corps.  Keep Gilmore and Rodgers, and continue to draft the position.

Tyquan Lewis - DL - age 27.8 - 2022 AAV $2,545,000

RELEASE -- I hate to say it, because I love the guy.  But he played only 48 out of 82 games, and started 16 of them.  And with Odeyingbo developing, there's not much need for him.

Ashton Dulin - WR - age 25.6 - 2022 AAV $2,433,000

KEEP -- Absolutely!  No, he's not a starter.  Yes, he's WR4.  But he's a keeper.  He stays.

Rodney McLeod - FS - age 32.5 - 2022 AAV $1,770,000

KEEP -- Yes, he's not young.  And yes, he plays the same position as Nick Cross.  I want Cross to earn the position.  I don't just want to give it to him.  Take it from the guy in front of you.

Ben Banogu - DE - age 26.9 - 2022 AAV $1,486,127

RELEASE -- He's the centerpiece of the failed bustmobile that was the 2019 draft.  Wasted pick.

Dennis Kelly - OT - age 32.9 - 2022 AAV $1,272,500

KEEP -- I don't want him as a starter.  But he's a decent backup.  Good veteran depth.

Parris Campbell - WR - age 25.4 - 2022 AAV $1,193,984

KEEP -- After a devastating start with so many injuries, Campbell is gonna wind up with 600+ yards on the season.  Not bad for a WR3.  Give him a 2-year deal.

Armani Watts - S - age 26.8 - 2022 AAV $1,187,500

MEH -- Don't know much about him.  If he's cheap, and he's good depth and special teams, then sign him.

Matt Haak - P - age 28.4 - 2022 AAV $1,035,000

RELEASE -- As long as Rigoberto Sanchez can return from his achilles injury.

Tony Brown - CB - age 26.4 - 2022 AAV $965,000

MEH -- If he's cheap special teams work, then sign him.  Otherwise, meh.

Chase McLaughlin - K - age 26.7 - 2022 AAV $965,000

KEEP -- He may not be perfect, but he's certainly not a headache.  Give that boy money, and let him keep kicking.

Bobby Okereke - LB - age 26.4 - 2022 AAV $905,529

KEEP -- He's been patiently waiting, while starting nearly every game.  I think he's plateaued, and may never be a pro bowler.  But he's good enough, and dependable.  Pay him.

Khalid Kareem - DE - age 24.7 - 2022 AAV $895,000

MEH - Who?  Is he depth?  Special teams?  Replaceable?  Dunno.

Chris Williams - DT - age 24.5 - 2022 AAV $825,000

MEH - Again, who?  In the shadow of Buckner and Stewart, no DT is gonna shine much.

Byron Cowart - DT - age 26.6 - 2022 AAV $704,861

MEH - Don't know who this is, but is he necessary?

E.J. Speed - LB - age 27.5 - 2022 AAV $702,349

KEEP -- One of Ballard's best finds, from tiny Tarleton State.  Whether on the field or on special teams, this kid can play.  Give him some real money.

Deon Jackson - RB - age 23.8 - 2022 AAV $660,000

KEEP -- But not for a lot.  He's insurance, in case JT gets injured.  He's not a feature piece.

Would let Paris, Okereke, and Jackson walk. You want to let Lewis walk for the same reason your keeping, Paris. Would keep Speed, and Dulin. Dulin over Paris cause he can do special teams as well. Plus if Paris and Okereke do great for someone else we get compensatory picks. I would bring Mack back over Jackson.

[John Hammonds]

On 12/30/2022 at 1:42 PM, Archer said:

I agree on all the important ones except Okereke.  He’s gonna be paid a lot by someone, and we’ll be in great shape with Leonard, Franklin, and Speed.  Looking at the snap counts, we’re usually only playing two LBs at a time, anyway.

You make a good point.  Just because we want to sign him doesn't mean that other teams might make an offer that we don't want to match or beat.  I wouldn't over-pay him.  This could be Pierre Garcon 2.0.  If Washington wants to over-pay him, then we'll let them.