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Indianapolis Colts: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp

By Samuel Teets

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Taylor Gabriel #18 catches a pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Taylor Gabriel #18 catches a pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedExField on September 23, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts, Justin Britt (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts, Justin Britt (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Indianapolis Colts could still help the roster with some free agent signings.

When Andrew Luck shocked the football world by retiring during the preseason last year, he left the Indianapolis Colts in a difficult situation.

A year later, the Colts still possess enough pieces to compete for a Super Bowl, but the team lacks depth and star power at several key positions entering the 2020 NFL season. With their $22.5-23.5 million in remaining cap space, the Colts can plug some holes on their roster.

Depending on how the current pandemic adjusted the market for various players and future projected salary caps, Indianapolis should sign a combination of the following five players, either as starters or for depth.

5. Justin Britt, C

The Colts might bring in Justin Britt for depth purposes. For the 2019 season, Indianapolis listed Josh Andrews as Ryan Kelly’s backup. Kelly, who the Colts drafted with the 18th overall pick in 2016, started all 16 games at center for Indianapolis last season. However, Kelly missed four games in 2018 and nine games in 2017.

Indianapolis got lucky in 2018. Backup center Evan Boehm filled in for Kelly and helped the Colts reach ten wins. As far as backup linemen go, Boehm is reliable and can take over for a few games. Indianapolis did re-sign Boehm heading into the 2019 season, but the team traded him to Miami in late August. Boehm recently signed a one-year, $1.035 million contract with the Buffalo Bills.

Andrews, who appeared six games this past season, is also no longer an option at center. The former undrafted free agent signed a one-year, $1.0475 million contract with the New York Jets in March. That leaves the Colts with a shortening list of candidates to backup Kelly.

Britt entered the NFL as a second-round pick for the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. He spent the first six years of his career in Seattle before the team cut him in April, saving $8.5 million in cap space. A tackle turned center, Britt earned a three-year, $27 million contract extension from the Seahawks in 2017. However, the Colts could probably get the 29-year-old on a cheap, short-term, prove-it deal because he tore his ACL last season.

At best, Britt would never take a starting snap. At worst, the Colts have a six-year starter taking over for the injured Kelly.

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