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Indianapolis Colts: Three Free Agents to Consider Signing

By Garrett Hagan

Jul 27, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; ndianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger/Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2016; Anderson, IN, USA; ndianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano during training camp at Anderson University. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger/Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indianapolis Colts‘ 2016 season is quickly approaching. With some questions remaining as to the depth of the team or quality of some positions, we take a look at three free agents that the Colts should consider.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback is back and healthy to go as both he and the Colts look to have a bounce-back year in 2016.

2015 didn’t go as planned for the Colts, as they finished the season 8-8 and ultimately missing out on the postseason — all while Luck appeared in only 7 games due to multiple injuries.

The Colts head into day six of training camp on Tuesday. While there are some positions that the team should be excited about, there are some that have questions concerning depth.

Of course, training camp means dozens of players have an opportunity to showcase their abilities and ‘wow’ their coaches and veteran teammates as they work to make the final cuts.

As Duron Carter showed us last year, however, just because a player has a spectacular showing throughout camp doesn’t always mean things will go smoothly come in-game action.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three players who are currently free agents that General Manager Ryan Grigson and the Colts should take a serious look at.

Cortez Allen – Cornerback

With Vontae Davis and Patrick Robinson likely being the Colts’ two starting cornerbacks this year, the addition of Allen wouldn’t hurt to experiment with. Since entering the NFL in 2011, Allen had played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2011 up until the conclusion of 2015 — when the Steelers cut Allen. His release from Pittsburgh can be due to a knee injury that cost him 15 games in 2015. Beforehand, however, Allen had a successful career with the Steelers. Perhaps his best year came in 2013, when he totaled two interceptions, 13 passes defended and 44 tackles.

Donte Whitner – Safety

The Colts had some early health concerns at safety with T.J. Green early on in camp. While Green is now back in pads and participating in team activities, it still wouldn’t necessarily hurt to add another safety to the team from the viewpoint of a depth move. On the other hand of the argument, Green is a rookie and it’s unsure if he will be a starting safety for the Colts by the start of the season. The scary thing about Green is that he has been viewed by experts as a “project player.” Pro Football Focus ranked the drafting of Green as the 12th-worst selection of the 2016 NFL Draft.

"Some evaluators see Green as a cornerback, but we’re not sure his coverage skills are even good enough for safety in the NFL. Green didn’t just grade negatively, he had the seventh-lowest coverage grade in the FBS last year. He gave up 25 catches and 479 yards on 39 targets and didn’t get his hand on a single pass all season. If there is a silver lining, it’s that Green had the 28th-highest grade nationally against the run."

Bringing in a veteran safety to help resolve any concerns regarding the safety position may not be a bad idea. With Mike Adams looking to be the Colts’ starting free-safety in 2016, it’s not set-in-stone yet as to what the strong-safety position will look like.

Louis Vasquez – Guard

The left side of the offensive line is set for the Colts, but what about the right side? The situation regarding the battle for the starting right guard spot has been one of the hottest takes thus far. With Hugh Thornton, Denzelle Good and Jonotthan Harrison being the leading candidates for the starting role, injury can happen at any time and none of these three players are as experienced at right guard than Vasquez. Vasquez was drafted in the third round of the 2009 draft by the San Diego Chargers, and has played for both the Chargers and Denver Broncos. He has proven to be a durable and quality guard in the NFL, as he has appeared in every regular season game for both teams since 2012 — something the Colts could use.

Next: Colts Starters to Play in First Preseason Game

There is still plenty of time for the Colts to find a ‘diamond in the rough’ in this year’s training camp, but it surely wouldn’t hurt to explore other options if things do not go as planned.

The Colts continue their 2016 training camp at Anderson University on Tuesday afternoon

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