Colts make bold move to reset roster
A big, but maybe necessary, decision.
The Indianapolis Colts have a big move in the early stages of free agency. But it comes in the form of a bold subtraction rather than a significant addition.
Indianapolis is sending five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a fifth-round compensatory pick. Gilmore is on a new team looking to contend in the NFC, while the Colts are re-setting their roster.
While it's never exciting to move on from a player like Gilmore, the move does make some level of sense for the Colts. Gilmore does not fit the Colts' timeline and the trade opens up cap space for Indianapolis.
In fact, the move will save the Colts nearly $10 million. That could give Indianapolis some options to target players on the free agent roster and fill a need or two before the 2023 NFL Draft.
With Gilmore out of the building, it is a bigger priority to add defensive back talent to the roster. Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is tasked with stepping up and filling the void that is now created because of the trade.
Outside of Rodgers, the Colts have Kenny Moore in the nickel and Julian Blackmon at strong safety – two talented building blocs in the secondary. Injecting more talent into the defensive backfield, likely through the draft, must be a priorty.
Fortunately, there is a lot of talent at cornerback in this year's draft class. The Colts even met with Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo at the NFL Scouting Combine. Ringo could be a top target early in the second-round.
Overall, the decision to trade away Stephon Gilmore opens up cap space and re-sets the roster for the Indianapolis Colts.
