Colts Need to be Cautious About Giving T.J. Green Starting Safety Spot

The Indianapolis Colts have plenty of issues to address on the defensive side of the ball. One of those issue involves finding more help in the secondary because safety T.J. Green may not be the answer as a starting safety.

Green was a second round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was a guy general manager Ryan Grigson locked on to throughout the draft process. At the same time, Chuck Pagano and the coaching staff heavily pushed Grigson to draft Green; think he would be a future starting safety.

Well, Green did not live up to those expectations in his rookie season. In fact, most would be terrified if he were a starter in 2017. According to Pro Football Focus, Green was the worst safety in the NFL in pass coverage and overall. PFF ranked Green 91st out of 91 eligible safeties.

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To be fair to Green, the Colts asked more of him than they probably should have. Starting safety Clayton Geathers was hurt to start the season, and Green started in his place when he probably was not ready to. Also, he battled through knee injuries all year.

Still, Green’s ranking is not a good look for Grgison or Pagano especially when they spent a second round pick on him. His rough rookie season is not a full indicator of his pro potential, but it is troubling; especially when considering the team’s recent history with defensive backs.

Under the Pagano and Grigson regime, the Colts have never had a strong secondary. Often times, it has been scrapped together with aging veterans and undrafted players.

They also whiffed on draftable defensive backs, like D’Joun Smith, who they drafted in the third round in 2015. After his rookie season, Green could be set to join Smith as another draftable bust.

Understandably, his rough rookie season could influence what Indianapolis does this offseason. With Green’s less than stellar play, the Colts could add another quality safety just in case Green continues to struggle.

Remember, Mike Adams is set to become a free agent this summer. He will be 36 years old in March, and the Colts will probably not bring him back since they need to get younger defensively. Meanwhile, Clayton Geathers has distinguished himself as a starting safety.

Fortunately for Green, it is still early to definitively declare him a bust. However, he needs to significant improve his technique, durability and on-field awareness this offseason.

Ultimately, this is why the Colts should not rush Green into the starting role. He has not earned in. Indianapolis needs to find a safety who can challenge, mentor and possible start over Green.

Another scenario that could occur this offseason is the Colts do not add another safety. Veteran Darius Butler played some safety this past season, and the team plans to play him their full-time in 2017. The Colts may be satisfied with Butler serving as Green’s insurance at safety.

This year, the Colts’ inability to build and develop a secondary completely backfired on them. PFF listed Indianapolis as the second worst defense in the NFL. The team could drastic improve next year if T.J. Green improves his level of play.

Next: Colts: Should They Take an Pass Rusher with Their 1st Pick?

Green has the physical attributes to play the game at a high level. However, he needs his technique and his football IQ to match his physical gifts. Until that happens, the Colts may be better off having a veteran start alongside Geathers.

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