Indianapolis Colts' Top Free-Agency Targets at Running Back
The Indianapolis Colts have countless areas to improve this offseason.
After a 45-7 loss in the AFC Championship Game, the Colts are left with a multitude of questions for the third straight offseason. The answers to those questions are yet to be found, but one thing is certain: Next year's team will include many new faces.
The Colts have 20 unrestricted and restricted free agents, and could see more than a third of the active roster turned over by next September. While many of those empty spots will be filled with draft picks or re-signings, free agency will play a big role in Ryan Grigson's offseason activity.
One position that could be a wide focus for Grigson is running back. With Trent Richardson's time seemingly done and Vick Ballard's severe injury history, Zurlon Tipton may be the only back currently on the roster that has a good chance of making next year's team.
Re-signing Ahmad Bradshaw (UFA) and/or Dan "Boom" Herron (RFA) are very feasible options, but today we'll be looking outside the organization. The Colts' main running back splits have changed dramatically in each of the last three years (Ballard/Donald Brown, Richardson/Brown, Bradshaw/Richardson/Herron), and there is a high chance that a change occurs again in 2015.
We'll also be ignoring names like DeMarco Murray, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch for now. While fans would love to see that kind of name in Indianapolis, numerous factors, including wear and tear, age and potential multiyear contracts, give me too much pause for any speculation on those fronts. Lynch and Peterson aren't even free agents yet, although each are possible.
While Ryan Grigson did make the trade for Trent Richardson in 2013, showing his willingness to pay for running backs, that was for a 22-year-old back on a rookie contract that Grigson thought could be a long-term workhorse back. With Andrew Luck and other young stars having contract negotiations coming in the next two years, I'm not so sure the Colts are willing to spend premium dollars on a running back right now.
Mark Ingram
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While fans may be hesitant to cheer for another Alabama running back after the Richardson debacle, Mark Ingram may be the Colts' best option at finding a true feature back in free agency without paying an arm and a leg.
Ingram started his career slowly, but has come on strong over the last two seasons, especially after taking a starting role in 2014. In 304 carries over the last two seasons, Ingram has ran for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ingram was a Pro Bowl replacement after his 2014 season.
Unfortunately, there's an injury downside to Ingram. Part of the reason he only started 12 games over the last two years was due to numerous injuries. He suffered a broken hand in 2014 which forced him to miss three games.
But after his return, he still averaged over four yards per carry and nearly 75 rushing yards per game, and that injury history will mean a smaller contract for Ingram.
Rumors
Ingram was expected to test free agency, but according to Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com, Ingram thinks that the Saints "definitely want him back."
Does Ingram want to be back in New Orleans? Will the two be able to settle on terms? Who knows?
But Ingram has to hit free agency before the Colts even have a chance, and they wouldn't be the only interested team.
C.J. Spiller
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While C.J. Spiller hasn't played a feature role in Buffalo since Chan Gailey left, he's shown plenty of ability in his five-year career. Remember, Spiller is just two years removed from a season in which he produced over 1,700 yards from scrimmage, ran for six yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns.
Spiller is exactly the kind of back the Colts need with Andrew Luck and the pass-heavy offense. The former Clemson Tiger is one of the biggest threats in the league in the open field and would be a home run threat the Colts have missed since Donald Brown left for San Diego.
Like Ingram, Spiller has had his share of injuries in his career. He missed seven games this season and had his worst statistical season since his rookie year. But Spiller's broken collarbone should be fine for the 2015 season, and he could be a big-time infusion for Indianapolis.
Rumors
Spiller will have his fair share of suitors this offseason, starting with the Bills. According to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com, the franchise absolutely wants to re-sign Spiller, despite his 2014 struggles.
If Spiller wants out, other teams will be lobbying for his services.
Spiller has expressed interest in playing for the New York Jets, who recently hired Gailey as their offensive coordinator, per the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta. According to Fox Sports Arizona's Mike Jurecki, the Arizona Cardinals were interested in Spiller before the trade deadline, and they could use another big-play back to take the load off of Andre Ellington.
Frank Gore
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The never-aging Frank Gore is the oldest back on this list, and for good reason: The man is dependable.
Gore has been the definition of a workhorse in San Francisco over the last decade. Gore has rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of the last nine seasons and has missed just 10 games since taking over the starting role in 2006.
Sure, Gore is 31, but the man ran for over 1,100 yards at 4.3 yards per carry in 2014, and that is what many people considered a down year for the veteran. Other backs would kill for that kind of production, but Gore has done it steadily for nearly a decade.
On the other hand, Gore has had the benefit of playing behind the San Francisco 49ers offensive line during that time, and in a very run-heavy offense. Can he make the transition to an offense with a mediocre line, one with one of the most pass-heavy game plans in the league? Given his strong ability to pick up blitzes in pass protection, I'd bet that he'd still be one heck of an asset.
Rumors
The Colts haven't been linked to Gore, but he did mention that he was "curious" about playing for Indianapolis, according to The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows. Of course, that same article said that staying in San Francisco was still Gore's first option, but the success of Carlos Hyde in 2014 may keep the club from ponying up the money that Gore desires.
Another potential landing spot for Gore may be the Washington Redskins, who recently hired Scot McCloughan as general manager. McCloughan was the general manager in San Francisco from 2008-2010, and Gore was one of his first draft picks when he was hired as the vice president of player personnel in 2005. According to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, the two are still close.
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Ryan Mathews
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Another former feature back whose career has been marred by injuries, huh? Can you tell I took some hints from the Colts' signing of Ahmad Bradshaw last year?
Grigson likes to look for deals, players who he thinks have talent but won't get top-dollar contracts for whatever reason.
Mathews certainly fits that role, but he's a bit more of a risk than the other guys on this list. Mathews has played 16 games in a season just once in his five-year career, although he's flashed plenty of talent while on the field. Mathews finished in the top 10 in Football Outsiders' DVOA or DYAR in three of the last four seasons.
Do the Colts really want somebody that's that big of an injury risk? Having Ahmad Bradshaw miss over half of each of the last two seasons has to give Grigson pause. But he's an extremely versatile weapon when healthy (he caught 50 passes in 2011) and would be a huge upgrade over the current backs.
Rumors
In early December, U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee was fairly sure Mathews wouldn't be a Charger in 2015:
"Ryan Mathews could run for 400 yards and six touchdowns over the next three games, carrying the Chargers into the postseason the way he did in 2013.
It doesn't matter.
No matter what Mathews does from this point, it’s what has already happened that makes this decision simple, even if it is difficult.
Mathews’ time in San Diego has to be measured in weeks.
"
No other rumors have surfaced regarding Mathews, but it would be a surprise if he didn't hit the open market.
Change-of-Pace Backs
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Outside of DeMarco Murray (see intro slide) and Justin Forsett (likely to stay in Baltimore), most of the other backs available in free agency are change-of-pace backs. The Colts do need a third-down back to catch passes out of the backfield and pick up blitzes, but they may not look to sign one in free agency if they give a tender to Dan Herron.
If they do test the waters on that front, there could be a few options this spring.
Shane Vereen
While only 25, he's missed 22 games over the last four years, which may make teams wary of signing him. To me, he seems like a Kevin Faulk guy, someone who would be great in Indianapolis but is probably a New England lifer.
Roy Helu
Helu missed most of 2012 with an injury, but has been pretty healthy outside of that. He caught 42 passes for 477 yards in 2014 and rushed for 5.4 yards a carry when he did run the ball. He told Stephen Czarda of Redskins.com that he wanted to return, but that he expected to test free agency.
Jacquizz Rodgers
Diminutive is the best way to describe Rodgers. At 5'6", 196 pounds, he's doesn't really fit the profile of a back that the Colts have targeted in recent years, but Rodgers is underrated. He's shown a good ability to catch and block in the backfield, although he has been underwhelming running the ball in Atlanta.
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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