T.J. Green Could Be Eventual Mike Adams Replacement
- The Colts selected safety T.J. Green in the second round of last month’s draft with an eye towards the future, as incumbent safety Mike Adams is 35 years old and entering the final year of his contract, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com writes. Fellow defensive back Clayton Geathers — picked up in the fourth round of the 2015 draft — is the example for Green, per Bowen, as he is ready to be plugged into the starting rotation now that Dwight Lowery has moved on via free agency.
- Former Colts linebacker Jonathan Newsome has signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, as Newsome himself tweeted earlier today. Newsome, 25, was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, and appeared in 30 games with the Colts over the past two seasons.
Colts Sign Entire Draft Class
The Colts have officially signed their entire 2016 draft class by reaching agreement with third-round pick Le’Raven Clark today, as Mike Chappell of CBS4 writes. According to his slot, Clark will earn a four-year deal worth ~$3.2MM. That deal includes a signing bonus of $750K. 
Clark, the last of eight Colts rookies to put pen to paper, was selected as part of a larger effort to help bolster the Colts’ offensive line. Prior to the draft, draft analysts Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBSSports.com wrote that Clark projects as a NFL starter at tackle or guard. Clark boasts the kind of “wide base [and] moldable frame” scouts look for in offensive line prospects, but the duo did note that he lacks power as a drive blocker. The Texas Tech product earned three-time All-Big 12 first-team selections and started all 51 games during his four-year collegiate career.
Here is the complete rundown of the Colts’ 2016 draft:
- 1-18: Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)
- 2-57: T.J. Green, S (Clemson)
- 3-82: Le’Raven Clark, T (Texas Tech)
- 4-116: Hassan Ridgeway, DT (Texas)
- 4-125: Antonio Morrison, LB (Florida)
- 5-155: Joe Haeg, T (North Dakota State)
- 7-239: Trevor Bates, DE/OLB (Maine)
- 7-248: Austin Blythe, C (Iowa):
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Colts Hoping Arthur Jones Will Stay Healthy
The Colts have 33 million reasons to be getting antsy with Arthur Jones, Mike Wells of ESPN.com writes. In 2014, Jones inked a five-year, $33MM contract with Indianapolis. Since then, he has played only nine games in two seasons due to two different ankle injuries. Because he has been unable to stay on the field, the Colts asked the defensive tackle to take a $2MM pay cut from his 2016 base salary. In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures. The Colts would love to see that kind of production from Jones in blue and white.
- In today’s mailbag, a reader asked Kevin Bowen of Colts.com whether the Colts have taken a different approach this offseason than they have in years past. Last year, the Colts signed aging free agents like Andre Johnson and Frank Gore and drafted seemingly NFL-ready players like defensive end Henry Anderson and defensive tackle David Parry. This year, Bowen notes that the Colts have, in fact, taken a different approach, choosing instead to build around their younger core players. The Colts also had limited cap space this offseason, which obviously changed their strategy.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/23/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Colts announced that they’ve signed second-round safety T.J. Green. Green, a Clemson product, was selected 57th overall in last month’s draft, and while he played safety in college, there’s been some chatter that he could be moved to corner in the NFL.
Earlier updates:
- The Vikings have signed defensive tackle Travis Raciti and waived running back Brandon Ross, Matt Vensel of the Star-Tribune tweets. Raciti spent his first NFL season in Philadelphia on the club’s practice squad. The former San Jose State Spartan played in 49 games (45 starts) as a defensive tackle and twice earned all-conference honors.
- The Eagles have signed defensive tackle Derrick Lott and released punter Ryan Quigley, as Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. With Quigley out of the picture, it would appear that Donnie Jones has won the team’s punter job. Lott was on Tampa Bay’s taxi squad in 2015 and will try to make the cut in Philly.
- The Saints have waived long-snapper Chris Highland, who joined the team for his second stint earlier this month (Twitter link via Evan Woodbery of The Times Picayune).
- Panthers tight end Jake McGee has reverted to injured reserve after being waived-injured, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. McGee began his career at Virginia but, thanks to graduate transfer rules, was able to finish up at Florida. In what would have been his first year at UF, he broke his left leg and spent the year rehabbing instead of playing. Last year, McGee caught 41 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns.
Chappell: Colts Should Consider Brian Hartline
- Given that the Colts are on the lookout for veteran depth at wide receiver, the recently-released Brian Hartline could hold some intrigue for the club, as Mike Chappell of CBS4 tweets. Indianapolis currently projects to start T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief at wideout, with the second-year Phillip Dorsett behind them. The Colts’ depth chart behind that trio is perilously thin, however, so Hartline could make some sense for the team.
Wells: Arian Foster Not An Option For Colts
- Though the Colts do need to find a suitable backup behind starting running back Frank Gore, Mike Wells of ESPN.com doesn’t think Arian Foster is the answer, given that the free agent back can’t seem to stay healthy. Darren Sproles, on the other hand, could be a fit, says Wells, but it doesn’t sound like the Eagles are in any rush to give him up.
Could Robert Mathis Receive Another Colts Contract?
- Robert Mathis‘ Colts contract expires after this season, but Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen expects that if the former All-Pro can perform like he did during his age-34 slate in 2015 and is willing to work with the Colts financially, there’s a path for another Mathis contract for 2017. Mathis, Trent Cole and Erik Walden‘s contracts expire after this season, leaving Indianapolis bereft of pass-rushers after 2016. As part of an extension signed during Mathis’ PED suspension in Sept. 2014, the 35-year-old outside linebacker is due a non-guaranteed $5MM this season.
Boldin, Freeney Probably Won't Be Signing with Colts
- There’s no denying Anquan Boldin‘s professionalism, but ESPN.com’s Mike Wells says the veteran wideout may not necessarily be a fit for the Colts. The writer refers to the organization’s last three veteran receiver signings (Darrius Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, Andre Johnson) and their lack of production.
- The Colts have not had any discussions with Dwight Freeney regarding a return to Indy, tweets ESPN’s Mike Wells. The writer notes that the organization prefers to develop their younger pass rushers.
[SOURCE LINK]
Colts Make Scouting Dept. Changes
- Bjoern Werner‘s minimum salary deal with the Jaguars gives him an $80K bonus if he makes the roster and an extra $300K if he reaches a certain sack total, Tom Pelissero of USA Today tweets. Werner, 25, inked a prove-it deal with Jacksonville last week. The former first-round pick appeared in 38 games over the last three years for the Colts, including 16 starts. In that time, the Florida State alum registered 77 tackles (61 solo), 6.5 sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. However, the majority of Werner’s production came in his first two years in the league.
- The Colts named Todd Vasvari as their senior player personnel scout, Matt Terpening as the assistant director of college scouting, and Brandon Brown as an advanced scout, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. The Colts also named Chad Henry as their east regional scout and Joey Elliott as a pro scout (Twitter link).
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/18/16
Today’s minor moves:
- The Browns claimed kicker Jaden Oberkrom off waivers from the Jaguars, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Waived by the Jags on Monday to make room for veteran guard Jeff Linkenbach, Oberkrom kicked for four years at TCU, making 79-of-100 field goals for the Horned Frogs. He’ll join Travis Coons and Brad Craddock as Cleveland’s rostered kickers. However, the Browns are searching for help after Coons had four kicks blocked last season, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
- The Panthers have added wide receiver Avius Capers to the roster, as David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. Capers is a familiar face for the Panthers, having spent time with the team in training camp last year. As of this writing, Carolina has a dozen receivers on its roster.
- The Colts are signing former New Mexico State corner Winston Rose following a successful private workout, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. Rose boasts a 4.37-second 40-yard-dash time and his speed has led to NFL attention.
- The Packers have signed safety Jermaine Whitehead, according to a source who spoke with Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Whitehead finished last season with Baltimore, who signed him late in the year off San Francisco’s practice squad.