Expect Colts To Pursue Starting Safety in Free Agency

The Indianapolis Colts are in need of another safety this offseason and free agency appears to be the perfect place to get one.

The Indianapolis Colts put together a solid bounce back campaign in 2023, narrowly missing out on the playoffs with a 9-8 record. The biggest goal this offseason is to identify the areas of weakness on the roster and fill them out with the massive amount of resources available to the team (two top 50 draft picks and 60+ million in cap space).

One of the more pressing needs that the Colts have is at the safety position. Veteran Julian Blackmon put together a strong season, but the 25 year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent next week. Former third round pick Nick Cross finally saw playing time in 2023, but he still appears to be a work in progress and former seventh round pick Rodney Thomas II took a major step back with his play last season as well.

Luckily for the Colts, this free agent crop appears to be stacked at the safety position, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the Colts to grab another starter (or two) on the open market. I spoke to a few people at the NFL Combine that shared the same sentiment regarding the Colts, expecting GM Chris Ballard to be active in finding a veteran or two to round out the group.

The assumption is that Cross and Thomas II will battle it out for the starting free safety role in Training Camp with a free agent signing (and/or Julian Blackmon) at the strong safety spot. So, with that in mind, let's look at a few strong safeties that fit the Colts in free agency this offseason.

1.) Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers

The most obvious strong safety to connect to the Colts this offseason is Jeremy Chinn. Chinn, 26, is a versatile playmaker that has spent time in the NFL at free safety, strong safety, and weak side linebacker with the Panthers. He had a fantastic start to his career with over 100 tackles, an interception, and five pass deflections in each of his first two seasons in the league. His playing time waned with coaching changes over the years, but there is still a good player there with Chinn.

Chinn is a young safety that has produced in the NFL and is a perfect fit for the Kam Chancellor role in this defense. To continue adding to the list of reasons why this is a perfect match, Chinn is from Fishers, Indiana. He has a chance to revive his career in his home state this free agency period, so I expect there to be mutual interest between him and the Colts in the next week or so.

2.) Kamren Curl,Washington Commanders

The Commanders were an abject disaster on defense a year ago, but that doesn't mean that they didn't have talent on the roster. Safety Kamren Curl may be coming off of a down season, but he had a blistering start to his young career. The 24 year old safety exploded for three interceptions two sacks as a rookie day three pick back in 2020. While he hasn't come away with any interceptions since that season, he has still maintained his steady play and tackling ability around the line of scrimmage.

Curl is a player that was built for Gus Bradley's defensive scheme. He thrives around the line of scrimmage and has a propensity for making big plays. His price tag may be a little bit out of the range that Ballard typically likes to pay, but Curl is the type of player that this defense absolutely needs this offseason.

3.) Rayshawn Jenkins, Jacksonville Jaguars

If the Colts want to go the more experienced route, they could look at a player like Rayshawn Jenkins. Jenkins was recently released by the Jaguars, and he seems like a player that could fit the Colts on paper. In fact, Jenkins spent the early part of his career playing under Colts' DC Gus Bradley in Los Angeles before signing with the Jaguars in 2021.

Jenkins would be a signing that wouldn't move the needle by any means, but it would bring an experienced player into the room that has familiarity with Bradley's scheme. We've seen what that kind of player can do for the Colts' secondary in the past (Mike Mitchell in 2018, Rodney McLeod in 2022), so I wouldn't rule out a move like this in free agency.

4.) Jordan Whitehead, New York Jets

One of the schemes around the league that closely resembles the Colts is the New York Jets. So, it could make some sense to poach a safety out of their secondary this offseason with Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead, 26, is coming off of a phenomenal two year stint with the Jets, hauling in six interceptions in 34 starts with the team. He has two way safety ability, but his best role could be in the box in a scheme like the Colts'.

Whitehead is an aggressive player with a tendency to make big plays. If the Colts can get him on the market at a moderate price tag, that would be a big win this offseason. His skill set and experience would slide in perfectly alongside Nick Cross in the Colts' secondary.

5.) Xavier McKinney, New York Giants

The Colts attempted to sign a star safety from the Giants before, but came up just short when Landon Collins signed a massive deal with the Commanders. Could they succeed their second time around in landing a Giants' safety? Xavier McKinney is likely to be the top safety on the market this year with Antoine Winfield heading back to Tampa Bay, and this could be the big splash move that we've always wanted from Chris Ballard.

It is certainly unlikely that Ballard will participate in the top safeties' market this offseason, but I wouldn't rule it out completely. He will certainly inquire about the price tag, and who knows... maybe a player of McKinney's caliber is the guy he finally takes a swing on. McKinney is a fantastic safety that can play single high or in the box, and adding him would certainly make the Colts' defense a lot better in 2024.

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