Indianapolis Colts Not Ruling Out Signing Older Veterans
By Kyle Nishida
Despite trying to get younger, the Indianapolis Colts are still open to signing a veteran free agent if the right one becomes available.
Most of the Colts’ 90-man current roster consists of players who are 26 years old or younger, and a good portion of their players only have two years of NFL experience or less. As a result, they have questionable depth behind their starters at some positions.
The Indianapolis Colts currently need a bit more depth at some positions like wide receiver or cornerback. They could understandably sign a veteran or two to give themselves a little more depth in those areas. However, it needs to be under the right circumstances.
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Colts’ general manager Ryan Grigson is always looking for ways he can tweak the roster and make it better. On the final day of minicamp, Grigson indicated he will entertain signing a veteran if it helps the team.
"“We’re going to look and see if anyone comes on the wire and is someone coach [Chuck Pagano] and I feel can help us, but they have to meet certain parameters. Age, money and things like that. We got Mike Adams. He was still able to participate in mandatory minicamp.”"
It is interesting to hear Grigson say this because NFL teams do cut players after minicamps conclude, and some of those roster cuts could be veterans.
Also, the Colts have had success with signing veterans late in the free agent process. As Grigson mentioned, Adams was a late free agent addition for the Colts in 2014. At the time, Adams was 32 years old but coming off a solid season with the Denver Broncos. Since joining the Colts, Adams has made two Pro Bowls.
Clearly, the Colts were extremely lucky Adams turned into one of their top defensive players. However, this example does show there are always a few veterans who are still capable of being contributors.
There are still some available veterans who could play in limited roles. With the Colts only having three experienced receivers right now, veterans like Anquan Boldin or Brian Hartline could be a serviceable fourth receiver for them. Meanwhile, veterans like Nolan Carroll or Jerraud Powers could give the Colts’ better depth at cornerback.
Obviously, none of these guys are options unless they fit the Colts’ specific “parameters,” but these few names illustrate what kind of talent is still out there.
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The Indianapolis Colts like the 90 players they currently have on their roster, but Grigson is always looking to improve it. Training camp does not begin until August so a lot can happen during that. It is not crazy to think the Colts will make a move or two before it begins.