The Colts now have a rare second chance to sign a free agent that would be a good fit to fill a need on their roster

A player that would be a good fit to fill a position of need for the Colts on paper is surprisingly back on the market.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer

Mar 30, 2026 6:27 PM EDT

Many expected the Indianapolis Colts to make a move in free agency to upgrade their pass rush, but they weren’t able to get a deal across the finish line with a projected starter.

The team made a run at Trey Hendrickson, but he chose to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, and the only moves at edge rusher they’ve made have been for rotational players Arden Key and Micheal Clemons.

The team still needs another starter added to the room to play opposite Laiatu Latu. The free agency market has mostly dried up at this point, limiting their options. However, a player who, on paper, looks like a strong fit just unexpectedly got sent back to free agency after his deal with another team fell through.

Browns’ deal with free agent edge rusher A.J. Epenesa falls through, giving the Colts a second chance to pursue him

Earlier this offseason, the Cleveland Browns announced they were signing former Buffalo Bills second-round pick A.J. Epenesa. Epenesa was a player I believed to be a solid option for the Colts to target to replace Kwity Paye. Thanks to his ability against the run, he can easily slot in as a three-down starter if needed, but also isn’t a high-profile enough name to deter the team from also trying to make a bigger move via trade if something comes together.

During his six years with the Bills, he appeared in 91 games and logged 19 starts. He recorded 24 sacks, 19 of which came in the best three-year stint of his career, 2022-2025. He is still only 27 years old and won’t turn 28 until September.
The Browns elected to back out of the deal due to something they saw on his medicals, which will likely be a big deal for whoever decides to step up and sign him now. It will also likely lower the price tag, though. He originally signed with the Browns on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. And now I’d expect he lands a deal worth even less as a result.

To me, this move would be perfect for the Colts. He would technically upgrade their projected starter at the position, but is going to be on such a team-friendly deal that they can continue to make moves to find a better upgrade and then use Epenesa as an upgraded depth piece, which, in my opinion, is the best role for him anyway.