Indianapolis Colts, Jerraud Powers have mutual interest

The Indianapolis Colts are striving to re-sign 25-year-old cornerback Jerraud Powers before he hits the free agent market, mainly because they can’t afford to lose a quality CB with the amount of needs they have at  the position. Even if they are able to keep Powers (which should happen), the Colts are still expected to go after another CB- Cary Williams is a possibility.

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Chuck Pagano stated last month that he wants the Colts to keep Powers, and it sounds like the Colts are indeed doing as much as possible in order to keep the Auburn product. Powers’s agent, Cliff LaBoy, said this to the Indianapolis Star, “They are making a concerted effort to get something done. They’ve made it clear they want him and Jerraud has made it clear he wants to stay. We’re also aware there will be a market for him.”

It’s good to hear that Powers wants to stay in Indianapolis, and he is recovered from an injury that costed him a large chunk of the 2012 season after having surgery on his right toe to repair a damaged ligament. Powers, in those nine games last season, didn’t have his best season in coverage and missed a whopping 11 tackles (per the Pro Football Focus). He has never been great in coverage, but Powers was about average in that regard in 2011 and was much better in run defense. Overall, he is a decent corner and not somebody the Colts want to lose given their issues at CB.

If the Colts are not able to keep Powers despite the mutual interest between both parties, then the team will definitely go hard after a corner like Williams. I actually think Powers is about as good as Williams, and he is a much better value financially. Either way, the Colts should still go after another corner to pair with Vontae Davis (whether it be in the draft or in free agency) even if they do indeed keep Jerraud Powers.

The San Diego Chargers are also rumored to be interested, and Chuck’s brother John Pagano is San Diego’s defensive coordinator. Powers would be a good catch for the Chargers at the right price, and the fact that he is coming off of an injury will make him an affordable player. I guess that’s why the Colts want to sign him, but I would also like to note that the injury most likely won’t affect him next season.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe.