Free agent targets will be evaluated by all 32 teams as free agency approaches. Fans are looking forward to another crazy offseason, potentially the most drama-filled one in a long time.
The Colts have the cap space and will look to be the most active. So who should be the top 5 Free Agent targets for the Colts?
FREE AGENT TARGET 1: KENNY GOLLADAY (WIDE RECEIVER)
With T.Y. Hilton set to leave Indianapolis via free agency, the Colts need a new number one wideout. Michael Pittman showed his potential down the stretch but needs more time to prove he is a true number one.
With Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin now being franchise-tagged, this leaves Golladay as the best receiver available. During his time in Detroit, Golloday has recorded 21 receiving touchdowns and 3,068 receiving yards. The Lions will want to keep him but repeated mediocre seasons will make it hard for them to keep him.
New Colts quarterback Carson Wentz will be licking his lips at the prospect of being able to throw to Golladay. This will give the Colts another offensive weapon alongside the aforementioned Pittman along with Hilton if he stays as well as running backs, Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines.
FREE AGENT TARGET 2: JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER (WIDE RECEIVER)
The Steelers receiver is another option for Indianapolis, whether this is in addition to or instead of Golladay. If the Colts can afford it, they should try and acquire both players to boost their offense. Smith-Schuster is someone they should look at.
His TikTok videos were the talking point of his 2020 season but he still managed to rack up 831 yards and 9 touchdown receptions. Smith-Schuster struggled in 2019 in his first season as the number one wideout but saw an improvement in 2020.
As a number two he excelled, with 1,426 passing yards in 2018. This can be where he succeeds in Indianapolis should both he and Golladay end up in Indianapolis. If Indy only go for Juju, he has shown in 2020 that he can become the go-to-guy for a franchise.
FREE AGENT TARGET 3: TRENT WILLIAMS (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)
The Colts already have one of the league’s best lineman in guard Quenton Nelson but would love the chance to boost their line with another stud.
Trent Williams is the best lineman available in 2021 Free Agency, with a 91.9 ranking from PFF putting him as the highest graded tackle. He allowed just four sacks in 2020.
He will be looking for some stability once again in his NFL career, with his one year stint in San Francisco coming after ten seasons with Washington. The Colts organisation would love to take on the 32-year-old, who probably has another three to four seasons in him.
FREE AGENT TARGET 4: DALVIN TOMLINSON (DEFENSIVE TACKLE)
There is not a great selection when it comes to defensive tackles available in 2021 Free Agency. However, the Colts need another defensive tackle alongside DeForest Buckner.
Buckner recorded 9.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, 58 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery in 2020. On the edge, Justin Houston recorded 8 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries.
However, teams will often try to double team Buckner in the interior defensive line. Other defensive tackle Grover Stewart only recorded 0.5 sacks in 2020. They need another defensive tackle to be able to stop offenses when Buckner is double-teamed.
Tomlinson is the best free-agent available in the position. In 2020, Tomlinson recorded 3.5 sacks along with 49 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and 4 passes deflected.
Having both Tomlinson and Buckner at the defensive tackle position in the Colts’ usual 4-3 formation would stop teams running one side over the other. The Indianapolis interior would be a hard stop in 2021.
FREE AGENT TARGET 5: SHAQ BARRETT (LINEBACKER)
This is a player that should be a priority of any NFL franchise. The Buccaneers have extended the contracts of Tom Brady and Lavonte David and have franchise tagged Chris Godwin. So why have they not sorted out the situation with Barrett?
Allowing Barrett to leave the franchise would be a massive loss for this Tampa Bay team that has every capability to run it back next season.
Barrett would be one of the most sought after free agents and with the cap space available to Indianapolis, this is something they could look to inject into the defense.
This would be an excellent addition to the linebacker core at Indianapolis which includes Darius Leonard.
Leonard recorded 132 regular-season tackles in 2020 but despite this, he only recorded 3 sacks. Meanwhile, Barrett recorded 8 regular-season sacks and 4 postseason sacks in 2020 but just 55 tackles in the regular season.
Having both Leonard and Barrett in the linebacker positions in 2021 would give Indianapolis a great duo that could compliment each other.
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