3 Free Agents Colts Should Have Signed

Former Colts linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. has been in the NFL for six seasons and could've been a solid signing for a young defense. While Franklin and E.J. Speed are the clear starting linebackers, Walker is more suited to coverage. Fellow linebacker Segun Olubi had moments and handled coverage well in 2023, but he still needs competition around him. Walker would've been a perfect signing to set a reunion for the defender.

Instead, the Miami Dolphins added the 28-year-old to a one-year, $1.37 million deal ($917,500 guaranteed), per Spotrac. While he's struggled with injuries in recent seasons, he still played great in defensive coverage for the Cleveland Browns in 2023. In 12 games, Walker produced a 76.8 cover grade per Pro Football Focus in 245 coverage snaps. He also grabbed 44 tackles, four passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.

Given the bargain that Walker was for the Dolphins and how solid of a player he can be when overcoming injuries, the Colts should've brought him back as a depth linebacker to compete with Olubi. He could've also been a nice addition to the linebacking corps in passing situations and might have been the best overage cover linebacker on the roster.

The Colts need more talent in the defensive secondary. While the secondary for the Colts could use a cornerback, Indy also needs more at the safety as well. There are still some defensive backs who could be selected and that fit Gus Bradley's defense. Indianapolis also might be looking to add cornerback starters and depth through the draft. However, many of the talented safeties have joined other teams, and Alohi Gilman of the Los Angeles Chargers is perhaps the one that would've fit Indianapolis best. 

Strong safety isn't the issue for the Colts, as current free safety Julian Blackmon has that locked down if he's re-signed. If Indy retains Blackmon, they still need a sure thing at the free safety for better coverage. Rodney Thomas II and Nick Cross aren't at the level to give comfort to the coaches as the starters, there must be more reliable talent. Gilman is only 26 years old and has played better every year for the Chargers. 

In 2023, he was fantastic in coverage and set career highs in tackles (73), interceptions (2), passes defended (10), and fumbles forced (3). All the Chargers had to pay was $10.1 million over two years ($5.6 million guaranteed). It's possible that Blackmon would cost the same or around this amount. Perhaps Gilman wanted to stay in Los Angeles, but the Colts defensive could've used him, and he wouldn't have cost much. 

Marquise Brown started his career with the Baltimore Ravens but ended up with the Arizona Cardinals and former college teammate, quarterback Kyler Murray. However, this reunion didn't pan out for Brown, resulting in him finding a new suitor for the 2023 campaign in the Kansas City Chiefs. Initially, Brown's value was higher, but after falling further in free agency, the Chiefs only had to fork over $7 million on a one-year deal. 

The Colts should have made this move given how cheap Brown's contract would have been. Even though Brown only had 51 catches for 574 receiving yards and four touchdowns, he was also in a dysfunctional Arizona offense and hasn't changed as a big-play pass-catcher. Brown is a speedster/deep threat who would have meshed perfectly with Shane Steichen's philosophy on offense. It also would have given Anthony Richardson a solid weapon to throw to. 

Brown may have helped elevate the play of Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce since he has game breaking abilities. With the Colts wanting to be more explosive, this signing seemed to make sense but ultimately never materialized.