Despite a late-season surge, the Indianapolis Colts narrowly missed out on securing a playoff berth. With Anthony Richardson returning to full health at quarterback, the Colts are poised to contend for the division title and a playoff spot in 2024.
With this goal in mind, here are three additional offseason moves the Colts should consider to bridge the gap between themselves and the AFC South-leading Texans.
1. Pursue a Trade for Raiders Tight End Michael Mayer
The Colts currently boast a roster with seven tight ends, none of whom have demonstrated true TE1 potential. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders have recently added depth to their tight end corps, potentially pushing Michael Mayer into a backup role. Mayer, considered one of the top tight ends in the 2023 draft, could thrive in a leading role with the Colts, offering Anthony Richardson another valuable offensive weapon.
2. Target Free-Agent Cornerback Xavien Howard
While the Colts retained Kenny Moore II, their cornerback group remains largely unchanged from last season. Despite posting respectable pass defense statistics in 2023, the addition of Xavien Howard could significantly bolster the secondary. Howard, a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, brings a track record of dominance and playmaking ability, which could provide the Colts with a formidable cornerback tandem alongside Moore II.
3. Sign Free-Agent Linebacker Jarrad Davis
While Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed had standout seasons in 2023, the Colts lack depth behind them at linebacker. Jarrad Davis, a former first-round pick with significant starting experience, presents an opportunity to address this depth concern. Despite recent injury setbacks, Davis offers a proven track record of production and could provide valuable depth and experience to the Colts’ linebacker corps at a reasonable cost.
By pursuing these offseason moves, the Colts aim to strengthen key areas of their roster and position themselves as serious contenders in the competitive AFC South division for the upcoming season.
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