Indianapolis Colts' Bargain Guide to the 2015 Offseason
The Indianapolis Colts have a large amount of cap space to use in free agency this offseason for the third year in a row.
They will need that cap space in order to help fill out holes on a flawed roster, including bringing in one or two top talents, ideally. With this much cap space, the team will be looking to capitalize on Andrew Luck's final year under his cheap rookie deal.
But no matter if the team is able to lock down one of the top free agents or not, it will have plenty of holes to fill with cheaper players as well. Honestly, that's the best thing about free agency: The bargains.
As bad as some of the Colts' free-agency moves have been over the last few years, they've also gotten key production from cheaper signings as well. Think Mike Adams, Cory Redding or Ahmad Bradshaw, for example.
Who will that player, or players, be this season?
That's our target today: Finding some key, cheaper free-agent targets that could pay big dividends. These aren't necessarily all players the Colts should target first in March, but they are ones that could be relatively cheap with high upside.
Running Back
1 of 5
Target: C.J. Spiller
Sure, Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller may be the most expensive name on this list. That's because, quite simply, he's the biggest name on this list.
Spiller was an electrifying back two years ago, making the Pro Bowl after rushing for over 1,200 yards on 6.0 yards per carry. But with a more inconsistent season in 2013 and a broken collar bone in 2014 that caused him to miss seven games, Spiller has fallen into the "injury-prone scatback" realm of perception.
But looking at Spiller's actual injury history tells another story. Sure, Spiller missed seven games this year, but over the first four years of his career, Spiller missed just three total games. Sure, he never was a full-time starter, but his label as a huge injury risk is an unfair stigma. Of course, that could work in the Colts' favor as teams shy away from giving him a big contract.
As a team that needs both a veteran running back and a back who can contribute on the ground and through the air, Spiller would be a perfect fit for the Colts. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton loves using his running backs in the passing game, and Spiller has the hands and open-field ability to do so. Spiller would also bring a big-play ability back to the running game, something that was sorely missed in 2013.
If Spiller's former coach Chan Gailey doesn't run up the price trying to lure him to the New York Jets, the Colts might just get a back with stellar ability for less-than-stellar money.
Other Bargains: Jacquizz Rodgers, Stevan Ridley, Ahmad Bradshaw
Wide Receiver
2 of 5
Target: Cecil Shorts
There are plenty of receivers scheduled for free agency this season, but the big names that actually do hit the open market are likely to be worth more than the Colts are willing to spend. While the team might be able to land a mid-tier receiver like Torrey Smith, even that seems unlikely. Don't be surprised, however, if the Colts sign an overlooked veteran receiver for the fourth consecutive offseason.
If the Colts do want to bring a veteran in, I'd expect them to look for a possession receiver, one to fill the Reggie Wayne role. This could be a slot receiver, but not necessarily. With T.Y. Hilton in the mix, the Colts are more than happy to move him inside in three-WR sets.
Enter Cecil Shorts, whose price will be driven way, way down due to injury struggles over the last four years.
Shorts has shown talent in Jacksonville, but has never been able to produce huge numbers with the Jaguars' quarterback situation. He struggled greatly in 2014 as the Jaguars' young, explosive receivers carved out bigger roles, but he could bounce back in the right situation.
He won't command a contract anywhere near what Hakeem Nicks did last year, but he has similar bounce-back potential—if he can stay healthy.
Other Bargains: Jarrett Boykin, Denarius Moore, Hakeem Nicks
Offensive Line
3 of 5
Target: James Carpenter
I don't see the Colts targeting starter-level talent on the offensive line in free agency, despite Colts fans' burning lust for Mike Iupati. The Colts have Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort etched into the left side, a high-priced right tackle in Gosder Cherilus and a trio of young interior linemen who they think have potential (Hugh Thornton, Khaled Holmes, Jonotthan Harrison).
Depth and versatility is the key in free agency. Even if the Colts re-sign Joe Reitz and/or A.Q. Shipley, they need more reliable depth, especially depth that can fill in at both guard and tackle.
James Carpenter, the former Alabama left tackle, has disappointed while in Seattle after being drafted 25th overall in 2011. Though he started nine games for Seattle at left tackle as a rookie, his season ended with an ACL tear and he was forced to injured reserve. Since then he's played guard for the Seahawks, and he's been mediocre at best.
Carpenter isn't the kind of signing fans would be celebrating, but he'd be cheap and he'd give you the versatile depth that the Colts need with Cherilus' unreliable knees. He's struggled in Seattle's power run-blocking schemes, but as a pass protector, Carpenter has held his own. And that's what the Colts are looking for as they try to protect Andrew Luck.
Other Bargains: Joe Reitz, A.Q. Shipley, Brian de la Puente
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Defensive Line
4 of 5
Target: B.J. Raji
Staying with the "never lived up to expectations" theme, Green Bay Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji should be another former first-round pick that struggles to get paid this offseason.
Raji hit free agency last year, but didn't receive the offers he'd hoped for and settled for a one-year, $4 million contract in Green Bay. The former No. 9 overall pick in 2009, Raji hoped to turn that one-year contract into a bigger, more lucrative deal after a big season in 2014. You see, Raji was moving back to nose tackle after moving to defensive end from 2011-2013.
Not so coincidentally, Raji's best season as a Packer came in 2010, when he played nose tackle and accumulated a plus-5.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. At 6'1", 337 pounds, Raji has the build to play nose in the Colts scheme. He can play end, as he has in Green Bay at times, but it's neither his ideal place to play or the Colts' biggest need. The Colts need a big man in the middle, as Josh Chapman hasn't developed quite as much as they'd like.
Bringing in Raji would give the Colts a big body with huge potential to rotate with Chapman, and at a cheap asking price. Though his bicep tear should be something he can recover from relatively easily, missing an entire season will drop that price way down from his $4 million 2014 contract.
Other Targets: Kenrick Ellis, Leger Douzable, Terrence Cody*
Cornerback
5 of 5
Target: Walter Thurmond
The Colts' group of cornerbacks is built much like the Seattle Seahawks'. Get a couple corners who can play press-man, let them play sides and prosper. Unfortunately, the Colts don't have the safeties or the front seven that Seattle does, and so the Colts cornerbacks don't look nearly as good as Seattle's.
Nevertheless, the blueprint is there.
So, if the Colts don't re-sign Darius Butler this offseason, New York Giants cornerback Walter Thurmond should be a prime target. In case it's already slipped your mind, Thurmond was an original member of Seattle's "Legion of Boom" in 2013, playing the slot corner role and occasionally rotating outside.
In other words, he's a perfect fit for the Colts.
Thurmond signed with the Giants on a one-year, $3 million contract, something he hoped to parlay into a bigger deal as a starter in New York. But, like Raji, Thurmond's plans went down the drain as he tore his pectoral in September. That will drive down his asking price, and hopefully into the Colts' hands. With Thurmond's physicality and ability to play inside and out, the Colts could fill the slot role rather seamlessly.
Other Bargains: Perrish Cox, Darius Butler, Carlos Rogers
All cap information taken from Spotrac.com. All snap count information comes from Pro Football Focus.
Kyle Rodriguez is Bleacher Report's lead featured columnist for the Indianapolis Colts. He is also the editor-in-chief of Colts Authority and Colts Academy and a PFWA Dick Connor Writing Award recipient. Follow him on Twitter for year-round Colts and NFL analysis.
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