2024 Safety Free agents that fit the Indianapolis Colts
Well, everyone, we made it through the quietest part of the offseason. The start of NFL free agency is upon us, with the league's legal tampering period set to begin Monday, March 11th, at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. So, I decided to share which players at each position of need are the best fits […]
Well, everyone, we made it through the quietest part of the offseason.
The start of NFL free agency is upon us, with the league's legal tampering period set to begin Monday, March 11th, at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
So, I decided to share which players at each position of need are the best fits for the Indianapolis Colts.
One of the largest needs on the current Colts roster is safety, both at FS and SS. Luckily for the Colts, this year's safety group in free agency is as deep as we've ever seen it. The Colts have multiple options to start at both spots and below are the two players at both positions that I think are the best fits for them to target.
Best FS fits for the Colts:
Colts GM Chris Ballard had a pretty clear takeaway following last season, and that was they have to get more consistent and better play out of the FS positon.
Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
You rarely see a player like Xavier McKinney hit free agency. McKinney is viewed as a top 10 FS in the NFL and is only 24 years old. He is coming off a great season in 2023, where he had three interceptions and a career-high 11 pass deflections. He had the second-most total tackles on the Giants with 116.
McKinney is a player the Colts can trust in single-high situations, a formation that Gus Bradley utilizes more than most teams in the NFL today. And with McKinney only being 24 years old, he could be a long-term solution at a vital position on the Colts' defense. I think McKinney is the single best fit at FS and of any free agent in this year's class for what I believe the Colts are looking to add.
Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks
Quandre Diggs, like multiple other talented veteran safeties, was surprisingly released this offseason. Before this release, Diggs played with two teams during his ten-year career, the Detroit Lions and the Seattle Seahawks, and had 24 interceptions. His time with the Seahawks has been significantly impressive, with 18 of his 24 interceptions coming during his five years with the Seahawks.
Diggs turned 30 in January, so he would be a shorter-term option than McKinney. But he has proven himself to still be a reliable FS and would provide the Colts a needed veteran in their young secondary. And would likely come on a significantly cheaper deal than McKinney.
Best SS fits for the Colts:
The Colts got solid play at SS last season, with Julian Blackmon having a career season in his first year at the position. But with him set to hit free agency, they have no clear option on their roster to start at the position, which makes it a big need for this offseason.
Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts saw a career year from Julian Blackmon, but sadly, it ended on IR after 15 games. He still set career highs in interceptions (4), pass deflections (8), total tackles (88), and tackles for loss (5). But him suffering another injury, after having multiple throughout his four-year career to date, will likely caution teams from handing out a huge contract to the 25-year-old safety.
With the safety free agency market full of talent, Blackmon could rejoin the Colts at a lower salary than his play warranted this past season. Bringing him back would give the Colts' secondary their best player from a year ago, ready to hit the road running with his familiarity in the system.
Jeremy Chinn, Carolina Panthers
If the Colts chose not to retain Blackmon, I think Jeremy Chinn would be a high-upside option. Chinn fell out of good grace in Carolina, where his role was minimized over time. And it seems both sides are ready for a fresh start away from the other. Chinn has a connection to the Colts by being an Indiana native, with him being from Fishers, Indiana.
Chinn is a fantastic athlete and has great instincts as a tackler. Some have even floated the idea of moving him to LB due to his coverage skills not being great. I think Chinn would be a unique talent who could play multiple different positions in Gus Bradley's defense. He's the riskiest option included in this article but may have the highest ceiling if his next team can figure out how to unlock his full skill set.
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