The Indianapolis Colts are expected to have around $42 million in salary cap space this offseason. While teams typically use the draft to build the foundations of their roster, free agency has always been a source of additional talent to try and put a contending team over the top. The Colts, who advanced to the AFC Championship Game this year, are hoping to sign some quality defensive players to help them take the next step in their development.
"#Colts stockpiling ton of cap space. There's little doubt now they're gonna be active in free agency. All they have to do is...Get it right," Stephen Holder of Indystar.com tweeted earlier this week. So who will the Colts be interested in?
"Josh Chapman in his first season as a starter - not to mention the poor overall run defense displayed in two games against the New England Patriots - it stands to reason the defensive line would be a focus of the team's free-agent efforts," Holder wrote. "That could possibly put players like Denver's Terrance Knighton and Detroit's Nick Fairley in the Colts' sights."
Knighton, 28, recorded 30 tackles and two sacks in 16 games for the second-ranking rushing defense of the Denver Broncos. Fairley, 27, recorded 14 tackles and one sack before an injury ended his season after eight games. The Lions did rank No. 1 in rushing defense this past season though. Either player would be a welcomed addition to a Colts team that allowed 113.4 rushing yards per game last season and failed to generate pressure with their front four.
"Asked Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine whether the team advancing to the AFC Championship Game last season creates incentive to make aggressive free-agent moves, Grigson gave an unabashed response.
'Heck yeah!' he said. 'Heck yeah.'"
