It was a disappointing 2022 for the Indianapolis Colts, but safety Rodney McLeod turned out to be one of the NFL's biggest free-agent bargains.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) tabbed McLeod as the Colts player who improved the most from 2021 to 2022. It was McLeod's first season in Indianapolis after signing a one-year $1.8-million contract.
McLeod has always been a more-than-serviceable safety in the NFL, but his first season with the Colts, his 11th overall, wound up as his best ever in terms of PFF grade (80.1). He missed just 7.4% of the tackles he attempted, another career best, and made a career-high 28 tackles resulting in a defensive stop. -- Gordon McGuinness, PFF
McLeod finished as PFF's seventh-ranked safety in the NFL when all was said and done. His pass-coverage grade of 85.3 was actually second in the league behind Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints who finished at 87.9.
McLeod turns 33-years old in June and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent on March 15th when free agency opens for 2023.
He's more than likely earned himself a raise even at 33-years old, and he should still be considered a favorite to be brought back on another one-year deal. His presence should continue to help the development of first-year safety Rodney Thomas II who became a surprise starter for the Colts after being drafted in the seventh round.
The Colts may be willing to trust the starting safety positions to Thomas and 24-year old Julian Blackmon who had 50 tackles and an interception in 2022. But McLeod played at a higher level than both of them despite his age, and it would appear to be a smart piece of business to re-sign him for 2023.
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