3 Remaining Free Agents Who Fit the Colts

The Indianapolis Colts still need to boost areas of their roster, and these three free agents can help.

The Indianapolis Colts haven’t made many outside moves thus far in free agency, with most of the action coming from retaining notable players like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore II, and Zaire Franklin.

While the free agency period still has plenty of time, the talent available will undoubtedly dwindle as the weeks pass with no action from general manager Chris Ballard. Currently, the Colts sit 12th in the NFL in available cap space at $23,011,848, per SpoTrac.

With the budget on display and multiple spots on the roster that could use free-agent signings, there is still enough skill out there on the open market to acquire. Indianapolis should look toward these three players if they want to make an impact for 2024 and beyond.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (44) celebrates an interception.

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CB Ahkello Witherspoon

NFL veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is coming off a solid 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams. In 17 starts, he notched 14 passes defended, 52 tackles, and three interceptions.

Witherspoon isn’t the type of cornerback who will compete for the NFL’s best. But, given the situation that Gus Bradley’s secondary is in ahead of the draft, Witherspoon fits what the Colts need at defensive back.

Witherspoon is still 29 years old and has the style at cornerback to fit in a scheme with Moore, JuJu Brents, and Dallis Flowers. The Colts are also likely selecting a rookie defensive back in the draft at some point, so Witherspoon’s veteran label could help that young talent develop quicker.

Look for Witherspoon to average around $8-$10 million annually on a contract. We’ll see if Ballard looks at the former third-round pick’s direction to add to a secondary that needs help.

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Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6), safety Jamal Adams (33), and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) celebrate after the defense made a play against the Arizona Cardinals.

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S Quandre Diggs

The Colts desperately need an answer at safety. Strong safety Julian Blackmon is visiting other teams and testing free agency while Indy has no solution in his ambiguous absence. Minus Blackmon, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II would be next up as a starting tandem.

Unfortunately, this is a bad way to solve the problem. While the simplest move is re-signing Blackmon, there's also veteran safety Quandre Diggs available. If Diggs were acquired, he would immediately fit the free safety role for the Colts.

Through nine years, Diggs has been impressive, logging 112 starts (137 total games), 580 tackles, 24 interceptions, 56 passes defended, and two defensive touchdowns. However, Diggs has shined the most over the last four years (2020-2023).

After grabbing three straight Pro Bowls (2020-2022), Diggs missed the nomination in 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks and had what he would consider a down season, marking it with a Pro Football Focus overall defensive grade of 55.1. But he still grabbed a career-high 95 tackles and showed there is gas left in the tank overall.

If Indy wants to solidify free safety with a veteran, this is one of the best paths. The 31-year-old may command around $10 million, but it is too soon to tell.

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) reacts to a turnover in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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S Justin Simmons

The other path of shoring up free safety is going for the two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Second-Team All-Pro team selection, Justin Simmons. Simmons, unlike Diggs, is not coming off a down season. In 2023 with the Denver Broncos, Simmons had three interceptions, eight passes defended, two fumbles forced, and 70 total tackles.

Simmons, while an eight-year pro, isn’t showing signs of slowing down. Also, his market value is likely around what Diggs’ is. Currently, Spotrac has Simmons’ value at $11.1 million annually. If this is accurate, or a bit lower, the Colts should make this signing a reality.

Simmons might be 30 years old, but he isn’t playing like it. Such a talented player would immediately elevate the defensive secondary and put opposing quarterbacks on notice.

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