Indianapolis Colts Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Alshon Jeffery Leaning Toward Signing With Eagles

March 9th, 2017 at 1:30pm CST by Zachary Links

Alshon Jeffery is leaning toward choosing the Eagles when free agency starts, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com tweets. At last check, both the Colts and Eagles were making “strong pushes” to sign the wide receiver. Now, he could be Philly bound, leaving the Colts and Bears to look elsewhere.

The Eagles found a deep threat receiver on Thursday morning when they agreed to sign Torrey Smith. After that, we got word that they were easing up on their pursuit of a Brandin Cooks trade. Ultimately, a Cooks trade would have cost the Eagles a boatload of draft compensation on top of having to work out a new deal with Cooks at some point in the next two years. If they can sign Jeffery and Smith, they will have given two serious weapons to Carson Wentz without hurting their draft situation.

Remaining in these wideout pursuits despite having one of the worst cap situations in the league, the Eagles would be in a better place offensively by signing Jeffery. With the Bears in 2013 and ’14, the big target surpassed 1,100 yards — going for 1,421 in a Pro Bowl ’13 slate — before injuries and a suspension limited him the past two seasons.

Jeffery rated as PFR’s No. 2 overall free agent. The Eagles showed interest in DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Stills and Kenny Britt. By adding Smith and Jeffery, they could possibly put Jordan Matthews in the slot full-time and have a layered passing attack, one that also includes Zach Ertz.

Latest On Alshon Jeffery

March 9th, 2017 at 10:37am CST by Sam Robinson

While the Bears are still discussing a possible re-up with Alshon Jeffery‘s representatives, the market’s top wide receiver is drawing aggressive interest from elsewhere. Both the Colts and Eagles are making “strong pushes” to add the sixth-year wideout, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport notes (on Twitter) Jeffery continues to discuss a deal to stay in Chicago but is weighing multiple other offers.

The Eagles have been connected to just about every marquee receiver on the market but have watched DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Stills and Kenny Britt agree to sign with other teams. A Jeffery addition would salvage what’s been a wideout-geared offseason for the Eagles thus far.

Indianapolis has more than $47MM in cap space, much more than Philadelphia, but doesn’t have as big of a need at wideout. T.Y. Hilton profiles as a different type of receiver than does Jeffery, but he still led the league in receiving in 2016. The Colts also employ solid No. 2 man Donte Moncrief and drafted Phillip Dorsett in the first round two years ago.

Some trepidation from teams regarding Jeffery’s availability history may be affecting his market, and Jeffery’s best two seasons came in 2013 and ’14 as a No. 2 wideout. But the previously franchise-tagged target figures to cash in, probably for more than $10MM per year based on this layered interest. The Bears, though, would be hit hard if Jeffery left, considering Kevin White has not proven to be reliable. The former first-round pick has missed almost every game during the first two years of his career.

Colts Could Pursue Jabaal Sheard

March 8th, 2017 at 9:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

With a boatload of cap space at their disposal, the Colts are in position to act aggressively on the open market this year. Already linked to high-end free agents-to-be like A.J. Bouye, Dontari Poe, Nick Perry and Kevin Zeitler, the club also has genuine interest in pass rusher Jabaal Sheard, tweets Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star.

Sheard, whom PFR’s Dallas Robinson ranks as the second-best edge defender in the 2017 free agent class (behind Perry), has served as a more-than-capable rusher in both Cleveland and New England during his six-year career. All told, Sheard has piled up 36 sacks, including 13 over the past two seasons with the Patriots.

Despite ranking 22nd in the NFL in quarterback hurries in 2016, Sheard endured a somewhat rocky year with the Super Bowl champions. In the midst of following an eight-sack, four-forced fumble 2015 with a five-sack, zero-forced fumble campaign, Sheard was a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ Week 11 win over San Francisco. Head coach Bill Belichick sat Sheard for performance-related reasons, though he did end up partaking in the rest of the Pats’ regular-season games and their playoff run.

Sheard is now on the verge of hitting free agency for the second time since 2015, when he landed a two-year, $11MM deal. In Indianapolis, he’d figure to bolster a pass rush that tied for 19th in the league in sacks and finished dead last in hurries in 2016.

Latest on Colts Offseason

March 8th, 2017 at 6:01pm CST by Ben Levine

Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been very busy during his first offseason on the job. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets that the executive has been very active in free agency. The Colts are particularly interested in retaining safety Darius Butler and running back Robert Turbin. Meanwhile, the team is also exploring top defensive free agents like linebacker Nick Perry and defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

Butler has established himself as one of the Colts’ most reliable defensive backs since joining the team in 2012. Last season, the 30-year-old finished with 33 tackles, seven passes defended, and three interceptions. Butler was listed fourth in our rankings of the best free agent safeties.

Turbin had one of his most productive NFL seasons in 2016, running for 164 yards and seven touchdowns. The 27-year-old also collected a career-high 26 receptions to go along with 179 yards and one score. The Colts could certainly use some reinforcement at the position, as the team is only rostering two running backs in Frank Gore and Josh Ferguson.

Perry was listed as our best available edge defender, while Poe was ranked fourth among interior defensive lineman. The Colts could use some help on the defensive line, as Hassan Ridgeway, T.Y. McGill, and Henry Anderson are currently slotted in as the starters.

Contract Details: Gholston, Colquitt, Doyle, Davis

March 8th, 2017 at 4:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Updates on the contracts signed over the past couple of days, mostly via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle…

Buccaneers defensive end William Gholston‘s contract includes $13.5MM in guaranteed money, as well as a guaranteed base salary of $3MM for the 2017 season (via Twitter). The 25-year-old’s $6.5MM 2018 salary becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2017 league year.
Defensive tackle Khyri Thornton‘s deal with the Lions is worth $3.3MM with a $325K bonus (Twitter). Thornton will make $700K in 2017, followed by a $1.325MM salary in 2018. He can earn another $12.5K via annual per game active roster bonus, as well as $225K via a weight bonus.
Punter Britton Colquitt‘s new deal with the Browns is worth $11.2MM and $4.5MM guaranteed (via Twitter). The former fourth-rounder will earn $1.65MM in 2017, followed by salaries of $2.55MM (2018), $2.7MM (2019), and $2.8M (2020).
Colts tight end Jack Doyle will earn $18.9MM on his next contract (via Twitter). Doyle will earn a guaranteed $1MM next season, followed by a $3.5MM salary in 2018 (guaranteed fifth day of league year) and $5.15MM salary in 2019. The tight end will also earn a $6.5MM roster bonus on March 10th.
Fullback James Develin earned a $2.45MM contract from the Patriots along with a $300K signing bonus, reports Wilson (Twitter). Develin will earn $800K each year, with a guaranteed $200K base salary for 2017. He can earn another $12.5K via a per-game active annual roster bonus.
ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that tight end Vernon Davis will receive $15MM ($7.5MM guaranteed) from the Redskins. The veteran will make $6MM in the first year of the three-year deal.
Punter Shane Lechler‘s new deal with the Texans is for one-year and $2MM ($1MM guaranteed), reports Caplan (via Twitter).

Colts Join Kevin Zeitler Pursuit

March 8th, 2017 at 10:23am CST by Sam Robinson

The Kevin Zeitler market continues to intensify with free agency’s second tampering day underway. In addition to interest from the Browns and Jaguars, the Colts have entered the fray, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets.

PFR’s No. 5-ranked free agent and top-slotted offensive lineman, Zeitler headlines a deep guard class that’s gauging the market currently. Free agency opens on Thursday, but the five-year Bengals starter could set a new guard standard at $12MM per year. The Browns have a record $102MM-plus in cap space, but the Jags are over $75MM, and the Colts also reside toward the top of this list at more than $54MM.

Indianapolis has encountered trouble protecting Andrew Luck or opening steady holes for Frank Gore the past two years, but the team has an offensive line foundation on the left side. Anthony Castonzo, Jack Mewhort and Ryan Kelly will return as starters, but the right side of the Colts’ line has room for growth. The Colts did not establish much consistency on that side of its line. The team, though, devoted substantial draft resources to fortifying this position last year. That said, only Castonzo resides as a veteran contract on Indy’s offensive front, so Chris Ballard could have room to add one of the 2017 UFA class’ impact guards.

Colts Re-Sign Jack Doyle

March 7th, 2017 at 6:59pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Colts have announced the re-signing of tight end Jack Doyle to a three-year deal. The pact is worth $19MM and includes $2MM in incentives, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). Half of the $19MM ($9.5MM) is guaranteed, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

Had Doyle gotten to free agency, he would have been among the most sought-after tight ends on the open market. In a breakout 2016 campaign, the 27-year-old Doyle posted across-the-board career highs with 59 catches, 75 targets, 584 yards and five touchdowns. During the previous three seasons of his career, Doyle combined 42 receptions, 209 yards and three TDs.

Doyle now joins Dwayne Allen as one of two well-compensated Colts tight ends. Allen nearly reached free agency last offseason, but the Colts stopped that from happening with a four-year, $29MM offer. The fact that Doyle won’t hit the market this year should increase the demand for free agency’s other top tight ends, Martellus Bennett and Jared Cook, and aid them in their quests to land raises.

Chris Hagan of FOX 59 first reported the news (Twitter link). Garafolo first tweeted the length of the deal. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Colts DT David Parry Arrested

March 7th, 2017 at 5:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Colts defensive tackle David Parry was arrested in Arizona in late February, and the lineman is facing a number of chargers. According to Stephen Holder of The Indy Star, Parry has been charged with theft of a means of transportation and resisting arrest with physical force, which are both felonies. The defensive lineman was also charged with misdemeanor assault.

Parry was reportedly one of three passengers in a “transportation cart” — per Hays, essentially a golf cart taxi — whose driver was ultimately the victim who contacted police. Per the victim, once the other two riders had been dropped off, Parry hit the driver in the head and stole the cart. Police later found the cart crashed into a gate, with Parry, apparently intoxicated, on the sidewalk.

Parry, 25 next week, was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2015 draft. During the first two years of his NFL career, Parry has started every game and racked up four sacks. Last year, Parry graded as just the No. 110 interior defender among 127 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. Entering the third year of his rookie deal, Parry is set to make the minimum in 2017, with a cap charge of roughly $670K.

While it’s too early to assess Parry’s legal status or standing with the Colts, the charges and description of the incident clearly represent the culmination of several poor decisions. New Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard will now have the Parry’s fate in his hands as he gathers facts on the situation.

Latest On Market For A.J. Bouye

March 7th, 2017 at 4:22pm CST by Ben Levine

We figured that cornerback A.J. Bouye would be one of the most sought-after free agents, and that sentiment has certainly been confirmed today. ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco reports (via Twitter) that the Jaguars, Bears, Buccaneers, and Titans have been linked to the defensive back.

The Jets and Eagles were among the teams previously mentioned as potential landing spots, and the Texans are also reportedly interested in re-signing him. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle clarifies (via Twitter) that the Eagles will indeed have interest in Bouye, but they’re not expected to “emerge as a serious player” for his services. Wilson also adds the 49ers, Browns, and Colts as teams that are expected to be “extremely competitive” when it comes to signing Bouye. Considering that long list of suitors, Wilson says there’s a good chance Bouye sticks around the AFC South.

Meanwhile, Wilson tweets that all of the offers for Bouye have averaged at least $12MM annually.

The 2013 undrafted free agent played sparingly during his rookie season, but he established himself as one of the team’s most reliable corners over the past three seasons. Bouye arguably had his best season in 2016, compiling 63 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

Among the teams listed above, Bouye would seemingly be able to slide into every starting lineup. Brice McCain (Titans), Aaron Colvin (Jaguars), Brent Grimes (Buccaneers) are among the defensive backs who could be pushed out of the lineup if their respective teams sign Bouye.

PFR listed Bouye above Logan Ryan as the best available free agent cornerback. Meanwhile, our own Zach Links anticipates that the 25-year-old will be the highest-earning free agent this offseason.

Colts A Potential Suitor For OL D.J. Fluker

March 7th, 2017 at 12:34pm CST by Zachary Links

When it comes to offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, the Saints, Lions, Seahawks, Colts, Vikings, Giants, Cardinals, and Falcons are among the potential teams to watch, according to Josina Anderson on Twitter.

[SOURCE LINK]

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