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Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Colts, WR Ryan Grant Nearing Deal

March 19th, 2018 at 10:33am CST by Zachary Links

[UPDATE: The Colts have agreed to sign Grant]

The Colts are nearing a deal with free agent wide receiver Ryan Grant, according to Mike Chappell ‏of CBS4 (on Twitter). The news was first reported by former NFL wide receiver James Jones (Twitter link), who appears to have a pipeline on signings as of late. 

Grant agreed to a four-year deal with the Ravens on the first day of free agency, but that contract was voided due to a failed physical. The Ravens immediately signed fellow free agent wide receiver Michael Crabtree, so one has to wonder if Grant’s physical really raised red flags or if the Ravens simply jumped at an opportunity to add a more accomplished pass-catcher. For what it’s worth, Grant’s agent says there isn’t much of an issue.

“If there were a game tomorrow, Ryan would be able to play,” the agent said earlier this month.

Grant, a former fifth-round pick, broke out with 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington in 2017. The Raiders also met with Grant, but it appears that he is Indy-bound.

Notes On Andrew Luck, Johnathan Hankins

March 18th, 2018 at 12:00pm CST by Rory Parks
  • Yesterday, the Colts agreed to trade their No. 3 overall selection in this year’s draft to the Jets in exchange for New York’s No. 6 overall pick and three second-round selections (including one in 2019). Most pundits believe that’s a pretty nice haul for Indianapolis, and Mike Wells of ESPN.com says it’s also good news for Andrew Luck. With this year’s class of rookie QBs considered to be quite strong — indeed, the Jets are widely expected to use the No. 3 overall pick on a signal-caller — the Colts could have guaranteed themselves of a Luck insurance policy if they felt they needed one. Instead, the move signals to Wells that the team is convinced Luck will look like his usual self in 2018 and beyond.
  • The Colts made the surprising decision to cut Johnathan Hankins yesterday, and Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star writes that the move was scheme-based. Indianapolis is converting from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme this year, and while Hankins had only worked in a 4-3 before joining the Colts, the team believes that Hankins’ skill-set will not fit its new emphasis on speed and quickness. Hankins played quite well in 2017, though, and Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com believes he will land a contract that pays him $7MM per year on the open market (Twitter link).
  • The Colts-Jets swap, combined with the Buccaneers‘ signing of Ryan Jensen, could result in a top-five prospect falling to Tampa Bay, which holds the No. 7 overall pick, as Jenna Laine of ESPN.com writes. Laine examines a few scenarios that could lead to a player like NC State’s Bradley Chubb or Penn State’s Saquon Barkley dropping into the Bucs’ laps.

Colts To Host CB Phillip Gaines

March 17th, 2018 at 5:50pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts will host free agent cornerback Phillip Gaines on Sunday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Indianapolis recently lost top corner Rashaan Melvin to the Raiders, and the club’s defensive back depth chart is among the weakest in the NFL. At present, the Colts are projected to start Quincy Wilson and Kenny Moore at cornerback — each are 2017 rookies who offered a combined six starts worth of experience. Last season, Indy ranked dead last in Football Outsiders‘ pass defense DVOA.

Gaines, 26, is a former third-round pick who appeared in 41 games with the Chiefs over the past three seasons. Typically a slot corner, Gaines graded as the second-worst CB in the NFL a season ago, per Pro Football Focus. He’s unlikely to return to Kansas City after the club added David Amerson and Kendall Fuller, but he’d offer familiarity in Indianapolis, where former Chiefs executive Chris Ballard is now general manager.

Colts Interested In Mike Pouncey

March 17th, 2018 at 5:26pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Colts are among the clubs with interest in free agent center Mike Pouncey, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).

Pouncey hasn’t been wanting for interest since earning his release from the Dolphins earlier this week. In addition to the Colts, both the Buccaneers and Chargers are reportedly eyeing Pouncey, although Tampa Bay’s current level of intrigue is unclear given that it signed fellow interior lineman Ryan Jensen. Los Angeles, meanwhile, is reportedly meeting with Pouncey today.

If signed by the Colts, Pouncey would likely be moved to guard given the presence of former first-round pick Ryan Kelly at center. That shouldn’t be a problem for the 28-year-old Pouncey, who has earned Pro Bowl berths at both guard and center in the past.

After playing in only five games in 2016, Pouncey’s play was limited by a hip injury last season. Pro Football Focus noted his lackluster performance, grading Pouncey as just the No. 27 center in the NFL. It’s possible Pouncey will require hip replacement surgery down the road, while at least one doctor has reportedly recommended that Pouncey retire, but he’s rejected that advice tho this point.

Colts Release Johnathan Hankins

March 17th, 2018 at 1:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

A year after signing Johnathan Hankins to a three-year, $27MM deal, the Colts are releasing the defensive lineman, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.

Hankins received a $7MM roster bonus and no signing bonus, with all of the defender’s guarantees coming in the contract’s first year. The Colts will not be tagged with any dead-money charges because of this surprising cut.

The timing of this release is notable. The 26-year-old lineman would have seen $4.5MM his $8MM 2018 salary become fully guaranteed on Sunday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. The Colts did this despite possessing more than $65MM in cap space — second-most in the league.

Hankins signed with the Colts shortly after free agency began last year, doing so after being a Giants starter for three years. He functioned in that role last season as well, starting 15 games.

This move also comes as the Colts are preparing to transition to a 4-3 defense, and prior to last season, Hankins had only worked in a 4-3 scheme. He played in the Colts’ 3-4 setup last season and graded out quite well, being tabbed as the No. 20 interior defender by Pro Football Focus. And the advanced metrics site only graded two full-time interior defenders — former Giants running mate Damon Harrison and now-UFA Ndamukong Suh — as being better against the run last season, doing so for an Indianapolis defense that ranked 30th.

He will become one of the more recognizable talents on the market and would almost certainly be expected to be a coveted commodity by other defensive tackle-needy franchises.

Jets Acquire No. 3 Pick From Colts

March 17th, 2018 at 9:52am CST by Ben Levine

The Jets are moving up. The team has acquired the third-overall pick from the Colts (via Indy’s Twitter). In exchange, the Jets have sent Indy their first-rounder (No. 6) a pair of upcoming seconds (No. 37 and No. 49), and a 2019 second-round pick.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Jets “explored all options,” including the possibility of adding the top-overall pick from the Browns. Meanwhile, the Colts heard offers from several teams, but they ultimately felt good about the package they received from the Jets.

The general consensus seems to be that the Jets will ultimately use their new pick to take a quarterback. By acquiring the selection, the organization is assuring that they can take one of the top prospects in the draft, a list that includes Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield. Of course, choosing a quarterback with the third pick will only complicate the Jets’ quarterback plans heading into 2018.

Assuming they take a quarterback in the draft, the team will clearly be leaning on the youngster to lead the organization in the future. However, for at least next season, the Jets would likely turn to veteran Josh McCown for the starting gig. After re-signing McCown earlier this week, the organization reportedly told the signal-caller that he’ll be their starter next season. The Jets also added Teddy Bridgewater, and they’re rostering Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenberg, and Joel Stave. At least two of those latter three quarterbacks will be let go prior to the season.

In recent years, we’ve seen several teams trade into a top-three selection in the draft. Last season, the Bears moved up to No. 2 and sent San Francisco No. 3, No. 67, and No. 111. In 2017, the Titans traded the No. 1 pick (along with No. 113 and No. 177) to the Rams for No. 15, No. 43, No. 45, and No. 76 (along with a first- and third-rounder in 2017). That same year, the Browns traded No. 2 (and a conditional fifth-rounder) to Philly for No. 8, No. 77, No. 100, a 2017 first-rounder, and a 2018 second-rounder.

What does this all mean? Well, it seems like both teams could justify the haul they gave up/received. According to ProFootballTalk.com’s “Draft Trade Chart,” Indy received solid value for the No. 3 pick. That selection was given a value of 2,200, and their new 2018 selections equal out to a 2,540 value (that also doesn’t account for the 2019 second-rounder). From that perspective, you could argue that the Colts won the trade. However, when you consider the trades from previous seasons, the Jets did an admirable job of not including an additional first-rounder in the package.

Colts Interested In OL Justin Pugh

March 16th, 2018 at 2:08pm CST by Zachary Links

Giants free agent offensive lineman Justin Pugh is weighing an offer from the Cardinals, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). At the same time, the Colts are working on flying him in for a visit. 

Pugh has experience at four different offensive line positions and stands as one of the best free agents left on the board. He missed half of 2017 due to injuries but he was recently cleared to resume football activities, so it seems likely that he’ll sign soon.

Last year, the Colts ranked dead last in adjusted sack rate and 18th in adjusted line yards, per Football Outsiders, so they’re looking to improve the O-Line.

The Colts have a swing tackle of their own to re-sign in Jack Mewhort, but it’s unclear if the Colts have serious interest in bringing him back.

Colts To Meet With WR Ryan Grant

March 16th, 2018 at 10:20am CST by Zachary Links

Free agent wide receiver Ryan Grant is set to meet with the Colts, his agent tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Grant had an agreement to join the Ravens, but that deal was nullified on Thursday due to the results of his physical. 

While the Ravens’ doctors were not comfortable with signing Grant, agent Rocky Arceneaux says that his ankle is a non-issue. Arceneaux says his client has been working out and running routes without any issue. Grant’s ankle was cleared by famed surgeon Dr. Robert Anderson, the agent says, and he insists his client is ready to rock.

“If there were a game tomorrow, Ryan would be able to play,” the agent said.

Grant had a breakout season in 2017, notching 45 receptions for 573 yards and four touchdowns with Washington. The Redskins previously expressed interest in retaining Grant, so that could be another possibility for him if a deal doesn’t come together with the Colts.

Benson Mayowa To Visit Colts

March 16th, 2018 at 9:39am CST by Zachary Links

Former Cowboys edge rusher Benson Mayowa is visiting with the Colts, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Mayowa has also reportedly drawn the interest of the Jets, Redskins, and Seahawks, but he remains unsigned more than one week after being informed of his released from the Cowboys. 

Mayowa, 27 in August, had just 31 tackles and one sack in his 381 snaps for Dallas in 2017. However, he had six sacks in the previous season. The Cowboys initially signed Mayowa when he was a restricted free agent and regarded as a high-potential player out of Oakland. Although he didn’t do much last year, he’s still young and teams believe he has upside.

The Colts agreed to sign Denico Autry, another ex-Raider, to a three-year deal worth nearly $18MM on Wednesday. Autry is likely to start at one defensive end spot, opposite Jabaal Sheard. Johnathan Hankins and Al Woods, meanwhile, figure to start in between.

Eric Ebron To Meet With Colts, Could Also Visit Patriots

March 15th, 2018 at 6:20pm CST by Ben Levine

Eric Ebron is starting to rack up the visits. We learned earlier today that the tight end was set to meet with the Panthers, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports (via Twitter) that Ebron will also meet with the Colts. The Indy meeting could “potentially” be followed by a visit to the Patriots, adds Schefter. The Ravens have also shown interest in the 24-year-old, who was released by the Lions earlier this week.

Ebron wouldn’t be confused with a blocking tight end, but he’s been plenty productive in the passing game. He finished last season with 53 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns, and he appeared to get rid of his habit of dropping balls. The former first-rounder ultimately rated as an above-average tight end, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 13th among 71 candidates at the position.

Assuming Andrew Luck is healthy, Ebron would provide the quarterback with another talented target. The free agent would presumably displace Jack Doyle from the starting lineup in Indy, although there could be enough targets for the duo.

Meanwhile, he’d have to settle for a backup role behind Rob Gronkowski in New England, although he’d definitely be an upgrade over current backup tight end Dwayne Allen. The organization has had success fielding a pair of tight ends in recent seasons, so Ebron’s production might not necessarily take a dip if he joined the Patriots. Of course, Ebron would also be future insurance in the event that Gronkowski decided to hang up his cleats.

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