Indianapolis Colts upgrade pass rush with Justin Houston: Grading the signing
The Indianapolis Colts had remained quiet for much of free agency, but made a big splash in the second wave by landing Justin Houston. Grading the signing.
Coming into the offseason and 2019 NFL free agency, many thought that the Indianapolis Colts could be big spenders. After all, per Over the Cap, general manager Chris Ballard and his team entered the free agency period with north of $100 million in cap space to work with. And yet, they largely stood pat — that is until the second wave kicked into high gear on Thursday as the Colts signed Justin Houston.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Houston is heading to Indianapolis on a two-year, $24 million deal. Houston, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason after being unwilling to take a pay-cut, addresses a big need for the Colts this offseason at pass-rusher. While he was partially cut also due to the Chiefs’ worry that he wouldn’t fit as an edge-rusher in a 4-3 defense, that’s where he’ll play with Indianapolis.
This is a splash signing with Ballard and Indianapolis going after one of the biggest names on the market following him being cut. It will obviously be an upgrade for the pass rush in Indianapolis, but what grade does this signing deserve?
Indianapolis Colts. JUSTIN HOUSTON. A+. . EDGE
Chris Ballard continues to impress with every move that he makes. Last offseason, the GM used the draft to add critical pieces to the offensive line while finding a gem in Darius Leonard. He’ll no doubt add more talent in the 2019 draft, as well, but seeing him be patient in free agency and use his cap space wisely is tremendous in this regard.
The Colts were in the bottom-half of the NFL last season in terms of sacks, but Houston can change that. While he has struggled a bit to play a full season in recent years with the Chiefs, he’s not lost an ounce of effectiveness when he’s been on the field. Thus, if Indianapolis is able to let him anchor the rotation off the edge while adding more young pieces in the draft (or even in free agency still), they tremendously improve one of their greatest weaknesses.
Next. 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency first wave. dark
After a 1-5 start last season, the Colts reeled off an impressive winning streak to make the postseason as an AFC Wild Card team. It was clear then that Ballard and the new regime are turning this franchise around, and signing Houston to a relatively cheap deal at $12 million per year is another win for them moving forward.