Indianapolis Colts: 5 Big-name free agents to target in 2020
By Samuel Teets
With a solid infrastructure and over $86 million in cap space, the Indianapolis Colts will be a prime free-agent destination this spring.
Before the 2019 season, many analysts favored the Indianapolis Colts as Super Bowl contenders and Andrew Luck as an MVP candidate. Then, Luck announced his retirement before the start of the regular season. Jacoby Brissett assumed the starting role, but his play and Indianapolis’ playoff hopes collapsed during the second half of the season.
After a disappointing 7-9 season, the Colts and head coach Frank Reich can make a strong rebound in 2020. Over the Cap lists Indianapolis with $86,162,964 to spend, the second-most cap space of any team this spring. A year removed from their Super Bowl expectations, the Colts can regain their contender status this offseason.
Of course, Indianapolis needs some splashy moves if they want to stand toe-to-toe with teams like Kansas City. The offense lacks depth, specifically at wide receiver, and the quarterback position remains in question. If the opportunity presents itself, Indianapolis might even snag a tight end.
Defensively, the Colts lack pass rushers and skilled cover corners. The defense finished in the middle of the pack last season, allowing the 16th-most yards per game (346.8). Indianapolis also finished tied for 15th in sacks (41) and allowed the seventh-highest passer rating (98.0). The defense needs a lot of help.
However, Indianapolis’s first splash signing should be a re-signing. The team’s strength comes from its offensive line, meaning they cannot allow Anthony Castonzo to walk away in free agency.
5. Anthony Castonzo, LT
The Colts drafted Castonzo with the 22nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Castonzo disappointed for his first few seasons, but now he looks like a borderline Pro Bowler. Remember how Nate Solder played when he was with the New England Patriots? That’s the class Castonzo sits in at the moment.
Castonzo stands alone as the best tackle and certainly the best left tackle in the 2020 free agency class. Trent Williams could become available via trade, but he represents the only other prime left tackle on the board. With their current situation, Indianapolis will not pass over Castonzo in favor of Williams or declining veterans like Jason Peters or Andrew Whitworth.
Castonzo made his intentions quite clear in late February when he announced his intention to return to Indianapolis. Now, the two sides just need to get a deal done.