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Having players like Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, and Darius Leonard on an NFL team likely makes you, at worst, a Wild Card team heading into the postseason – yet the Indianapolis Colts somehow managed to not get into the playoffs with that core, setting up for a crucial 2022 NFL offseason.
Many eyes are on what they decide to do at quarterback moving forward, as the one-year reunion of Carson Wentz and Frank Reich did not go to plan. With Wentz actually having produced a relatively-healthy season but one that was stocked full of inefficiencies and missed opportunities, the Colts are likely going to be moving on from someone that they just traded a first and a third-round pick for last offseason.
But this team has other shortcomings that need to be addressed if they want to get back to being the cream of the crop in the AFC South, a very winnable division with only the Tennessee Titans providing competition.
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Colts Offseason Predictions
4. Under the radar WR help comes via free agency
Outside of Michael Pittman and the occasionally-healthy T.Y. Hilton (if he returns), the Colts have a glaring hole in their wide receiver depth, and their pocketbook allows them to improve that this offseason. And who better than a WR that is desperately looking for a change of scenery?
Allen Robinson has struggled through a maligned coaching staff while with the Chicago Bears, and the QB play has been below par as well, making him a likely departure this offseason. Robinson will (potentially) be joining his third different team in his career this offseason, and the Colts have a perfect opportunity for him.
A guaranteed role for Robinson that also can help keep Hilton healthy by allowing him to run fewer routes can help make this offense even more efficient for whoever is going to be QB.
3. Free Safety earns a lot of attention
Tyrann Mathieu is the best player available this offseason from the safety group, and the former LSU Tiger will certainly entertain major-money offers from teams looking to upgrade their free safety spot. The Colts should be in these conversations with him but likely will not end up being the finalist for his services.
Instead, securing the talents of Marcus Maye on a multi-year deal is a better bet, especially since he is two years younger than Mathieu and has enjoyed a ton of success with the Jets.
Having only played six games on a franchise tag last season, Maye could be gotten for cheaper than what he would’ve gotten had he played a full season, a great way to secure young talent while still having money for other needs.
Maye is a member of Tier 2 in the FS group, and with Andrew Sendejo a free agent and Khari Willis needing a running mate, Maye would be a great fit.
2. You have seen the last of Hilton – at least in a uniform
After contemplating retirement last offseason, Hilton decided to rejoin the Colts on a one-year, $8 million deal to help bring some much-needed stability back to the WR room. All 10 years of his career have come in the blue and white, and while he certainly could decide to come back for his age-33 season, injuries have taken far too much of a toll on Hilton.
But have no fear Colts’ fans – Hilton will not be going far.
The Colts had Mike Groh, their former WR coach, leave for the New York Giants for the same position, opening up a nice little opportunity to have a fresh perspective in the building. Would Hilton want to make that quick jump over into the top role for the WR group? Not necessarily, so he could start out as an offensive quality assistant that heavily works with the WRs, but never say never.
1. Say goodbye to Wentz and hello to ___________
Rumors surrounding Wentz’s eventual departure are hard to ignore, especially after Reich has been extremely non-committal to the future of his starting QB with the Colts moving forward. But by not having a first-round selection to utilize for potentially a new QB, GM Chris Ballard is going to need to be very careful in his next moves.
First, a potential destination for Wentz to head to – the Washington Commanders.
Is it a fairy-tale ending to have Wentz wind back up in the NFC East division that he is so familiar with? No, but it certainly would give Ron Rivera a mobile QB that has enough left in the tank to justify making a move for. If the Colts are wanting to move on from Wentz, a trade makes the most sense.
Any sort of release would leave the team on the hook for $15 million for the ‘22 season in dead cap, but a trade (either before or after June 1st) would absolve them of any financial repercussions and allow them to push his cap number towards another dart throw at QB. For the Commanders to acquire him, they would be taking on the final two years and $53M in yearly cash, something that will be hard to swallow but necessary to become competitive.
In return, the Colts should expect a return that includes a few picks but nothing that will help recoup what they sent to the Eagles – a 2022 3rd round and a 2022 6th round selection should resemble some sort of reasonable, but sad, package for Wentz.
Now for the second part – his successor.
Adding a QB from a down-bad QB class like the ‘22 class is is going to be difficult for Ballard to justify, especially with the team not having a ton of draft picks to utilize. But, if the board falls just right, then they can pick up a really intriguing option with their first pick of the day at 47th overall – Desmond Ridder.
Out of Cincinnati, Ridder has some question marks that need to be corrected at the top level but has enough intangibles for any team to want to build around. Good arm strength, questionable ball placement, and athleticism that make him a plug-in option into the offense for the Colts is exactly what this team needs – continuity is going to be important, especially to the core that already supports this team.
Having enough of a buildable base is what makes Ridder’s potential one of the highest in the entire draft for QBs, and while the likes of Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis are going to be long gone before the Colts are on the clock (barring a trade), Ridder is a great option for Reich to mold into an above-average starting QB that has abilities in both the running and passing games.
