5 Available Free Agents Still Within Indianapolis Colts' Reach
The most important part of the offseason for the Indianapolis Colts, and most other franchises, is the NFL draft.
But even after the bulk of free agency is completed, there is still value to be found among unsigned NFL players.
Make no mistake, the Colts aren't finding any starters at this point in free agency. Even most of the obvious depth roles have been filled by now, leaving the Colts with the draft to fill out the roster. Any free agents signed at this point are most likely competing for a roster spot at best.
But every player has value, and when looking at the Colts roster and the many spots needing competition, there are still several available free agents that could be of use to Indianapolis.
C Brian De La Puente
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Even though he'll turn 30 in May, it's hard to figure out why Brian de la Puente has drawn so little interest among NFL teams.
Perhaps it has to do with his unconventional origins. De la Puente was an undrafted free agent back in 2008 and bounced around practice squads and waiver wires for several years before landing on the New Orleans practice squad in 2010. But from 2011-2013, de la Puente ended up starting for New Orleans and performed quite well. Over the three seasons, de la Puente racked up a positive-40.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.
But after his deal was up in 2013, he received little interest in free agency before signing a one-year deal with Chicago. De la Puente then started five games for Chicago at center to start the year but lost the job to long-time incumbent Robert Garza after Garza returned from an early-season injury. He later started two games at left guard before going on injured reserve in Week 13.
Even though he was a reserve in Chicago, de la Puente racked up a positive-8.2 Pro Football Focus grade as a starting center last season and still has value at the position (even if he's not a perfect scheme fit).
The Colts are likely going with either Jonotthan Harrison or Khaled Holmes at center, but as A.Q. Shipley proved last year, it's nice to have a veteran safeguard at the position.
CB Tarell Brown
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Another former Pro Football Focus superstar, former Oakland cornerback Tarell Brown is 30 years old but could provide the Colts some valuable depth behind their starting trio.
Brown was a stud in San Francisco for years before heading to Oakland in free agency last season. He had a down year in 2014 but was better in San Francisco in 2013, finishing with a positive-7.6 Pro Football Focus grade.
With experience as both a slot and boundary corner, Brown would bring much-needed insurance for either of the starting outside corners as well as Darius Butler in the slot. He's not the ideal corner for the Colts system, with his small frame limiting his effectiveness as a press corner, but he could at least give some rookies a good competition in camp.
LB Geno Hayes
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The Colts signed one depth linebacker in free agency, with former Bronco Nate Irving inking a contract, but the team still desperately lacks nickel linebackers who can drop back in coverage.
D'Qwell Jackson functions as a three-down linebacker for Indianapolis but really shouldn't be, as the Colts' 26th and 31st rankings against tight ends and running backs in defensive DVOA, per Football Outsiders, hints. Irving, a run-stopping specialist with starting potential, doesn't help that coverage aspect, and neither would other free-agent linebackers like Brandon Spikes.
While former Tampa Bay and Jacksonville linebacker Geno Hayes would be too small to play in the Colts' base defenses, he could be an interesting weapon for defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to use on passing downs. Hayes has been mostly used as an outside linebacker in 4-3 defenses but has some experience rushing the passer and has always been athletic and fluid in coverage.
He probably wouldn't even be a favorite to win the starting job, but with no coverage linebackers on the roster (we're still not really sure what Henoc Muamba can do), he's at least worth bringing in for a camp look to compare with the rookies.
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OT Ryan Harris
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The Colts signed two guards with experience playing tackle in Joe Reitz (re-signed) and Todd Herremans (Philadelphia) this offseason, but they really don't have any pure tackle depth at all behind Anthony Castonzo and Gosder Cherilus. With Cherilus still recovering from offseason surgery, that's a scary proposition.
The team may be looking to bring in a rookie in the draft even as early as the first round, but that isn't a total lock for first-year preparedness at No. 29. The Colts would do well to bring in some veteran stability at the position, and former Kansas City Chief Ryan Harris is one available name that could fit.
The former third-round pick for the Broncos also had a stint in Houston before landing in Kansas City last year. He has experience both as a starter and a reserve, with inconsistent results.
Harris isn't the guy you sign to come in and start for your team, but he's a player who could start if need be, and every team needs that kind of player.
FB Will Ta'ufo'ou
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Yes, a fullback!
I'm as averse to giving a fullback a spot on the roster as much as the next guy, but the Colts will likely use a fullback in training camp and the preseason so everybody is comfortable with the team's two-back sets.
If healthy, Dwayne Allen will likely take that role as a move tight end, but there's no use running him into the ground all summer in that role. Ta'ufo'ou had a strong season blocking for the Jaguars last season, finishing with a positive-4.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus last season.
Ta'ufo'ou wouldn't cost a thing cap-space wise and has been used out of the backfield as a receiver throughout his six-year career as well, so he'd be comfortable in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's creative sets. If he proved to be an asset, the Colts have been willing to keep a fullback on the roster before. If not, so be it.
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