Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Grade from CBS
The Indianapolis Colts re-signed each of their key free agents to multi-year contracts and found a replacement for quarterback Gardner Minshew. They added more depth on the defensive line with 6'7 and 320-pounds of Raekwon Davis.
They made all of these moves and remained more than $20 million under the salary cap.
For their good work in March, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell gave the Colts a 'B' as he graded the entire NFL.
"Retaining Pittman was a must for Colts general manager Chris Ballard, and he was able to get a deal done with his top wideout, huge-plus for Anthony Richardson's development," wrote Podell. "Pittman's breakout occurred in 2023: he went off for his first 100-catch season in his age-26 season with his 109 catches ranking as the fifth most in the NFL last season and tied for the fourth most in a single season in Colts history. They are the most by a player in Indy since current wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne's 111 back in the 2010 season.
"Returning the core of Colts defense was at reasonable rates was also solid work. The Flacco signing is odd. He gives the Colts depth, but it comes at a steep price ($8.7 million)."
Backup quarterbacks are coming at steep prices around the NFL. Minshew and Sam Darnold got north of $10-million with the Raiders and Vikings respectively. Both teams are in the quarterback market in the NFL Draft next month.
Even Marcus Mariota got $6 million from the Washington Commanders. The Broncos have a cap hit of $53 million for Russell Wilson to play with the Steelers.
$8.7 million for the reigning Comeback Player of the Year ($4.5 guaranteed) doesn't sound so odd by comparison.
With $23 million left in cap room, the Colts could still be players for several top free agents. They'll still need just over $9 million to sign their draft class according to Spotrac.
General manager Chris Ballard has done a good job this month of securing the Colts' top players while still having flexibility in the market.
'B' seems fair for the job the Colts have done with the NFL Draft coming up next month.
