The Indianapolis Colts were so close to making the playoffs in 2023. They were 16 yards and a Tyler Goodson drop away from making the postseason despite being ravaged by injuries. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson missed 13 games and Jonathan Taylor was absent for seven. But Indianapolis should be better this year, especially if they can make a few more moves to add to their team.

Acquiring targets like Miles Sanders and Caleb Farley in a trade would help the Colts round out their roster for the 2024 season.

Colts reunite Shane Steichen with Miles Sanders

2023 was a very bad year for Miles Sanders on the gridiron. He did just fine financially, though. Sanders was offered and accepted a four-year, $25.6 million contract by the Carolina Panthers that included $13 million guaranteed. He earned that contract with his play beforehand, but Sanders did not come anywhere close to living up that deal in his first season with Carolina.

After averaging just over five yards per carry for his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Sanders' average plateaued to 3.3 in 2023. He didn't only struggle in that department. He had the fifth-worst rushing yards over expectation average per attempt among running backs according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Only Jamaal Williams, Kareem Hunt, Dameon Pierce, and Alvin Kamara were worse in that department.

Sanders was replaced in the starting lineup by Chuba Hubbard, who outperformed the former Penn State back in nearly every statistical category. The Panthers also used a second-round pick on Texas' Jonathon Brooks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sanders seems completely out of their plans going forward, so it would make sense for each side to move on.

If that were to happen, the Colts would be a great spot. Their backfield depth behind Jonathan Taylor is not very strong, with Goodson, Evan Hull, and Trey Sermon competing for the backup spot. Sanders also has a lot of familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen. Stechein was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia form 2021 to 2022. Coincidentally, those were arguably Sanders' two best years as a pro.

Sanders' contract could be a deterrent regarding a potential move. He has a cap hit of just under $7.7 million this year. But if they could work out the financials, Sanders could really help out Indianapolis' offense. He'd be a nice trade target for the Colts.

Colts target Caleb Farley in trade

Indianapolis could really use some help in the secondary. They were middle of the pack in EPA allowed per dropback and passing yards allowed per game in 2023. That was despite relying on a largely young and inexperience cornerback room. Kenny Moore is a solid pro out of the slot, but other than him, it was rookies like JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones who the Colts trotted out there.

The Colts got away with that for most of the season, but they were burnt in their season finale. They began their win-and-in tilt with the Houston Texans by giving up a 75-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud to Nico Collins.

Stroud was 20-of-26 for 264 yards and two touchdowns in that game, with 195 of those yards going to Collins. One would think that the Colts would heavily emphasize adding to their cornerback room this offseason, but they haven't. The only marquee move they've made there was drafting former Marshall corner Micah Abraham in the sixth round.

The Colts still could make an addition there by making a trade for Caleb Farley of the Tennessee Titans. Farley was a former first-round pick who has played sparingly in the NFL because of injuries. He's only appeared in 12 games in three seasons.

The Titans appear ready to move on from Farley. Tennessee declined Farley's fifth-year option for the 2025 season. They also acquired L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie in the offseason, which further dropped him down the depth chart. He might have to play special teams just to be active on game day.

Farley needs a fresh start elsewhere. Indianapolis could stand to add depth at corner. A trade with the Colts for Farley makes sense for all parties.