Indianapolis Colts: Top 10 Free Agents to Target

Now that the CBA has been signed and the lockout is over (a thousand sighs of relief), a flurry of free agent activity is expected to occur in the coming days.

The Colts have several needs as they approach the season that weren't adequately addressed in the draft. While the Colts rarely make a big splash in the free agent market, this year they have expressed a desire to delve deeper in to the available veteran pool.

With that in mind, who may the Colts target in the next week? Who will fill their needs at a decent price?

Brandon Mebane: DT, Seattle Seahawks

The 26 year-old defensive tackle may be a perfect fit for the Colts' scheme at defensive tackle. With PFF ranking him in the top twenty DT's in the last three years, he would be a great pick up for the Colts.

The only problem with Mebane would be that his skill set seems to be similar to that of Fili Moala or Drake Nevis.

The Colts have enough three-tech DT's, if Mebane can play the NT position, than that would allow Moala and Nevis to shine, giving the Colts a decent set of tackles for the first time in a long time.

Eric Weddle: S, San Diego Chargers

Weddle would be an upgrade over Melvin Bullitt, should the front office choose to let him go. He has great coverage skills, and is an excellent tackler.

Unfortunately, he isn't as talented of a run stopper, as Bob Sanders was. If the Colts chose to sign Weddle, they may look to switching Bethea to SS and plugging in Weddle at free safety.

Weddle will likely be the cheapest option at starting safety available in free agency, and if the Colts are looking for a replacement for Bullitt, Weddle would be a fairly cheap upgrade.

Roy Williams: WR, Dallas Cowboys

While Roy Williams has struggled in Dallas since being traded in 2008, he still has the talent and athleticism to be a big time wide receiver. With the news coming that the Cowboys plan on releasing the ex-Lion, the Colts should take a look at the receiver.

While some have called for the Colts to talk to Plaxico Burress, Williams would be a safer option. He's been in the league for the last two years (not in jail), and is younger than the aging Burress.

Williams would be a great addition to the Colts' receiving corps, a big, tough receiver would be a wonderful weapon for Peyton Manning to use. If the Colts can get him at a reasonable price, Williams would make a powerful weapon in the Colts' offense.

Justin Blalock: OG, New Orleans Saints

This all depends on what happens with the current Colts' offensive linemen. If the Colts let Charlie Johnson go in free agency, and release Ryan Diem due to his excessive contract (and excessively bad play), then Blalock will become a very attractive option.

The Colts need an upgrade in the middle of the line, with Mike Pollak playing terribly for the large portion of 2010, and Kyle DeVan being mediocre. Blalock would be an above average starting guard, not elite, but a huge improvement over Pollak or DeVan.

Blalock would also likely come at a reasonable price, especially if Diem's large contract is released.

Dawan Landry: S, Baltimore Ravens

Dawan Landry, the hard hitting Ravens' safety, would be a perfect fit in the Colts' scheme, replacing Sanders/Bullitt. He would provide the run-support necessary, and possibly some blitz packages from the secondary.

Unfortunately for the Colts, Landry would like to stay in Baltimore, and would likely need a large chunk of change to sign with Indy.

If the Colts are willing to take the cap hit, Landry would help solidify the Colts secondary, making it one of the league's best.

Barry Cofield: DT, New York Giants

Barry Cofield would be the perfect free agent signing for the Colts. At 6'4", 306 lbs, Cofield would be the one-tech that the Colts have been looking for since Booger McFarland.

Cofield would be more reliable than Mookie Johnson, who has suffered from injury problems, and more talented than Daniel Muir. Both players are up for free agency, and would likely be let go if Cofield came to Indianapolis.

If Cofield came, it would fill the Colts' second biggest need (the first being a strong safety).

UPDATE: Cofield has reportedly come to terms with a six-year deal with the Redskins.

Donte Whitner: S, Buffalo Bills

The news came out today on Twitter that the Colts are talking with Bills' safety Donte Whitner. Whitner hasn't been the playmaking safety the Bills hoped they were getting when they drafted him eighth overall in the 2006 draft. 

However, Whitner has proven himself to be a solid tackler, being second on the team in 2010 with 140 tackles, 96 solo.

Whitner would be perfect in the strong safety role, where the Colts would ask him to support the run defense and play the deep Cover-Two. As long as Whitner isn't asking for elite safety money, the Colts could have a good shot at signing him.

Carlos Rogers: S, Washington Redskins

If the Colts decide to cut Kelvin Hayden's large contract (bad idea, IMO), then signing a veteran starter like Rogers would be a huge boost for the Colts' secondary.

While many Colts fans feel that Justin Tryon would be able to start, as he performed very well in 2010, he may not be the answer for a full time starter. Given the injury problems that have plagued the Colts' DBs for the last two years, the more depth the better .

Given the playmaking abilities of Rogers, he could significantly boost the despicable turnover rate of 2010.

Ryan Longwell: K, Minnesota Vikings

If the Colts decide to let Adam Vinatieri go as a free agent, then Ryan Longwell may be a veteran that they choose to talk to.

Longwell is an accurate kicker, but still has enough leg to kick the 50 yarders. Last year, the Colts couldn't kick a field goal from 50 yards out, and never even attempted one all year.

Longwell would extend their reach, and still be an accurate kicker similar to Vinatieri. Longwell is also used to kicking in a dome, something the Colts have in the Lucas Oil Stadium.

Quintin Mikell

Mikell is an excellent starting strong safety in the NFL, although he is starting to hit an age where decline is inevitable. Still, a stop gap contract for a year or two would give the Colts a couple years where their safety tandem of Bethea and Mikell was top five in the league.

Mikell is a hard hitting, tough nosed safety, a healthy Bob Sanders. He would be a perfect run stopping safety that the Colts are looking for.

This is the best signing for the Colts, as it best fills the biggest need for 2011 at strong safety.

UPDATE: Quintin Mikell signed with the Rams on a reported four-year deal.