Indianapolis Colts: Predicting In-House Free Agent Outcomes

The Indianapolis Colts are only a month away from the NFL Draft. With such a big occasion for their future approaching, some names are still unsigned on their roster. Forthcoming will be six remaining names and if they will or won’t be re-signed by the Colts.

DE Yannick Ngakoue

Last season, Ngakoue led the Colts in sacks with 9.5. However, despite that, the Colts may not be willing to pay what Ngakoue will ask.

His most recent contract was two years at $26 million ($13 million per year). While he’ll likely ask for the same type of money, I don’t foresee general manager Chris Ballard giving up that type of cash with Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwity Paye on the roster.

There are also multiple freak athlete types at the defensive end coming up in the NFL draft.

Mix in those facts with the recent signing of defensive end Samson Ebukam from the San Francisco 49ers, and it’s even less likely Ngakoue will be kept.

Prediction: Colts don’t re-sign

S Rodney McLeod

A veteran safety of 11 NFL seasons, McLeod came in to backup rookie Nick Cross for 2022. However, when it was apparent that Cross wasn’t quite ready, McLeod took the reigns and never looked back.

He had career highs in tackles (96) and pass deflections (8). He was also able to steal away 2 interceptions. Overall, he was a great addition to a good defense. Unfortunately, it was all for nothing, as the offense couldn’t complement McLeod & Co.’s performances.

Ultimately, the 32-year-old will decide whether to play for a contender, stay in Indy, or go into retirement. I believe he’ll try once more following a career season.

Prediction: Colts re-sign for a one-year, $5 million deal

OL Dennis Kelly

Kelly has been in the league for a decade and has played for multiple squads. Last season the Colts signed him to provide leadership and depth.

He’d find himself in the fray of a constantly changing offensive line, playing at left (191 snaps) and right tackle (48 snaps).

Kelly wasn’t the most pleased with the organization due to his lack of opportunities to start on the line. Pair this with the awful four-win season and drama surrounding the Colts; it makes sense. This one is likely not happening again.

Prediction: Colts don’t re-sign

P Matt Haack

With starting punter Rigoberto Sanchez out for 2022 with a season-ending Achilles injury, Haack was brought in for punting duties. Like the rest of the season for the Colts, what ensued wasn’t pretty.

Haack was forced to punt a lot, indeed. However, he often shanked punts toward the sideline or dropped them short with underwhelming distance.

With Sanchez on track to return from injury, look for the Colts to stick with their reliable punting option.

Prediction: Colts don’t re-sign

DE Ben Banogu

Drafted out of Texas Christian University in 2019 in the second round, the Colts had high hopes for Banogu.

In short, these hopes have fallen with no sound as Banogu has hardly seen the field. Through four seasons with Indianapolis, Banogu shows a line of 29 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.

This isn’t a reflection of a second-round selection. With Ngakoue likely not returning, there’s simply no way that Banogou will, either.

Prediction: Colts don’t re-sign

S Armani Watts

Watts came from the Kansas City Chiefs to Indianapolis in 2022. However, he didn’t play any snaps or record any numbers for the Colts due to a season-ending injury suffered in the preseason.

With the aforementioned McLeod commanding safety and Cross being next in line, it makes sense that Watts didn’t play.

He was on a one-year, $1.18 million contract, per Spotrac. This is a bit much for a player who didn’t contribute on defense or special teams. However, if this price is dropped a bit, the Colts may want depth for the secondary.

If Watts takes a slight drop in pay, Ballard may consider it.

Prediction: Colts re-sign to a one-year, $850k deal.

Outlook

The Colts are getting close to finishing up free agency, pre-NFL draft. Ballard likes to get his bargains closer to draft day, but will he sign any of the remaining six in-house players up for a contract?

We will see if anything gets inked up in the upcoming month.

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