Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Roundup

ADDITIONS

Kicker Matt Gay

Indianapolis kicked off their free agency signing with a Pro Bowl kicker. While this probably was not what the fans wanted right off the bat, it was very necessary. While the price was steep, it has been an area of inconsistency with this team.

Adam Vinateri missed some big kicks towards the end of his tenure and the Colts cut last seasons starting kicker Rodrigo Blankenship early in the season. They brought in Chase McLaughlin to replace him and he did well last season. The coaching staff is hopeful that they will have Gay kicking in high pressure situations in the near future.

Edge Rusher Samson Ebukam

Edge rusher is always a point of emphasis with every NFL team but with allowing last season’s starter Yannick Ngakoue to walk, Ebukam fills a huge void. The former Eastern Washington standout has started 56 games in his career, accruing 22 sacks.

While never a huge sack total player, he is a disruptor and Indianapolis feels he is ready to get to the next level. Still young (27) Ebukam should be the Day 1 starter next to Kwity Paye.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew

Out with Matt Ryan and in with Gardner Minshew. If there is a player that has studied and understands Shane Steichens offensive philosophy, its Minshew. The one year $3.5 million dollar contract (with potential for $5 Million) shows they see him as the backup but don’t be surprised if Minshew sees some game action early in the season if the drafted Quarterback is not quite ready on day one.

Minshew will be a great voice in the QB room this season, regardless of his role.

Defensive Tackle Taven Bryan

The former 2018 1^st round pick hopes to find some footing here in Indianapolis. Drafted by Jacksonville in 2018, he only started 17 games in 4 years and Jacksonville did not pick up his 5^th year option. He started 16 games for Cleveland last season while picking up 3 sacks.

Ballard loves to sign former first round talent to 1 year "prove it" deals and see if a change of scenery (and coaching) can change the trajectory of a career. Bryan will be a great rotational player behind Pro Bowlers DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, respectively.

Wide Receiver Isiah McKenzie

With Parris Campbell choosing to sign with the NY Giants, enter former Bills WR Isiah McKenzie. He can be best described as a smaller version of Parris Campbell at 5 foot 8. McKenzie will bring speed, experience, and the ability to play the "slot receiver role."

He will also open up the playbook for Steichen with his experience in screens and gadget plays. He is coming off his best season of his career in Buffalo where he made 8 starts in 15 games. He racked up 423 yards with 42 receptions and 4 TDs.

Browns TE Pharaoh Brown

This signing gives the Colts some more depth in the TE room. They have 4 very capable TEs on the roster. However, since the retirement of former Colts TE Jack Doyle the Colts have missed the "blocking TE" ability that he brought them for so many years.

The Colts OL struggled immensely last season as well without a strong blocking TE. With last season’s injury to Drew Ogletree, he will need another season of development. And with current starter Mo Alie-Cox the subject of trade talks, this signing might seal his fate for the coming season.

Bears RB Darrynton Evans

We continue to repeat the same narrative this offseason…depth and competition. The Colts running back is full but Evans will bring some great competition to backups Deon Jackson and Jake Funk.

Johnathon Taylor and Zack Moss will get the majority of the snaps, but that 3^rd string RB spot just got interesting with the addition of Evans.

Returning

Edge Rusher Tyquan Lewis

No surprise here to see Lewis back in Colts Blue. While he is coming off two major knee injuries (both season-ending) when he has played, he has been a productive rotational player. He can also play both the interior and exterior of the defensive line.

This might be his last chance to stay healthy but as always, Ballard loves having depth in the trenches of both lines of scrimmage.

Linebacker EJ Speed

Speed signs a well-deserved extension with Indianapolis. While Speed is known for his strong special teams acumen, he has grown into a reliable rotational player for the LB room. With Okereke signing with the NY Giants and the unknown status of starting Pro Bowl LB Shaquille Leonard, many expect Speed to have a career year and prove he is worth the second NFL contract.

In 4 seasons with the Colts, Speed has appeared in 61 games (six starts) and now has 110 tackles.

Wide Receiver Ashton Dulin

More wide receiver depth returns as Dulin will be used as a 4^th receiver and special teams ace. He has been used as the "gunner" position in return coverages. He has been used sparingly as a returner early in his career as well.

Don’t expect much change in his role this upcoming season. He played 12 games this season after suffering a foot injury earlier in the season. He finished with 15 catches for 207 yards and 1 touchdown. The deal is worth up to $7.2 Million over 2 years.

Cornerback Tony Brown

The special team’s signings continue with Tony Brown agreeing to terms on a one year deal worth $1.2 Million with 500 thousand guaranteed. As mentioned, he is primarily a special teams contributor as he played 303 snaps on that side of the ball.

With a new special teams coordinator in place, Brown will be relied on upon to lead this talented group in the upcoming season.

Offensive Tackle Carter O’Donnell

O’Donnell gets another opportunity to keep developing in a new system under Shane Steichen. The former CFL draftee has yet to see any appearance in an NFL game while in the Colts system for 3 seasons now. He was on the practice squad for this first two seasons and was on injured reserve last season.

With the loss of OT Matt Pryor, the door is open for him to make the team in training camp this season, he just needs to find a way to stay healthy and show his talent. Terms of his deal were not disclosed.

Defensive End Khalid Kareem

The late season addition gets another opportunity in Indianapolis. He was signed off the Cincinnati practice squad in December appearing in the final 4 games. With as much depth and competition that Ballard will sign in the coming months leading up to training camp, it appears that Kareem is not a lock for the roster.

He is young and still has plenty of time to get better but he will need to make the most of his upcoming opportunities this offseason.

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