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The Indianapolis Colts made significant moves to bolster their defensive backfield and provide competition at quarterback in the first week of NFL free agency. However, they lost two starting offensive linemen and a pass rusher.
Key additions: CB Charvarius Ward, S, Camryn Bynum, QB Daniel Jones.
Key retentions: WR/ST Ashton Dulin, OLs Danny Pinter, Wesley French.
Key losses: DE Dayo Odeyingbo, C Ryan Kelly, G Will Fries, TE Kylen Granson.
Here are the new guys: Colts landed 5 players early in NFL free agency. Meet them
More on the way?: Colts salary cap space for 2025 NFL season
So how have they fared? There's little consensus here.
"The Colts lost key pieces on each line, added some help to the secondary, but the Daniel Jones addition pays off only if Anthony Richardson falls apart."
PFF considers the addition of quarterback Daniel Jones "below average": "The Colts are making Jones one of the highest-paid backups in the NFL, potentially signaling an open competition with the struggling Anthony Richardson. While Jones isn’t a high-end starting option, he has earned a 70.0-plus PFF grade in each of the last four seasons in which he played at least 350 snaps. Still, this move feels like an overpay by Indianapolis."
"After ranking in the bottom third of the NFL in passing yards allowed in 2024, the Colts have made it a point to improve the secondary. On Day 1, the club landed corner Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum, who are both set-and-forget starters. Bynum is coming off a strong season with the Vikings where he posted 10 pass breakups. Meanwhile, Ward is a former second-team All-Pro player. Indy did lose Odeyingbo to the Bears, and offensive guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly to the Vikings, but the club does have Tanor Bortolini (five starts last season) as an in-house replacement. On Day 2, the Colts found their potential starting quarterback in Daniel Jones. He will have the chance to battle Anthony Richardson for QB1. On Day 2, Indianapolis added a nice complement to Jonathan Taylor in Khalil Herbert, who has a career yards per carry average just under five yards (4.8)."
"The Colts knew they would take some offensive line hits, but at the same time, they did some major upgrading in the secondary with Ward and Bynum making them much more active for big plays in coverage. Jones was the ideal arm and athletic talent to push Anthony Richardson, too."
"Camryn Bynum is a nice addition to a defense that was one of the worst at defending deep passes last season. Bynum isn’t necessarily a value at $15 million per year, but he’ll only be 27 at the start of next season and could easily fulfill this deal given how durable he’s been in starting 17 games the last three seasons.
"In the short-term, the loss of long-time center Ryan Kelly hurts worse. Indianapolis planned for this succession by drafting Tanor Bortolini last year, but there’s a significant element of the unknown in removing Kelly from the equation. Guard Will Fries also got paid by the Vikings on the second day of the negotiating period, removing another starter from the equation.
"In a make-or-break year for Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen, it’s a little surprising the Colts didn’t try to keep most of the offensive line infrastructure in place. Indy brought in Daniel Jones on a one-year, $14 million deal as ostensible competition for Richardson, though that seems like a competition set up for Richardson to win."
"The Colts needed to add talent to their secondary and have done so, agreeing to terms with cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum on a pair of $60 million contracts. Ward should fit particularly well into Lou Anarumo's defense and will relish a fresh start after mourning the death of his 1-year-old daughter during the 2024 season.
"The Colts lost a couple of offensive linemen, including standout right guard Will Fries, which is dragging their grade down slightly. So too are questions about whether Daniel Jones was the right quarterback to pair with Anthony Richardson, but Jones is just on a one-year, $14 million deal."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts free agency grades 2025; NFL free agent, roster moves
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Key additions: CB Charvarius Ward, S, Camryn Bynum, QB Daniel Jones.
Key retentions: WR/ST Ashton Dulin, OLs Danny Pinter, Wesley French.
Key losses: DE Dayo Odeyingbo, C Ryan Kelly, G Will Fries, TE Kylen Granson.
Here are the new guys: Colts landed 5 players early in NFL free agency. Meet them
More on the way?: Colts salary cap space for 2025 NFL season
So how have they fared? There's little consensus here.
Colts free agency grades; did the Colts get better in NFL free agency?
Frank Schwab, Yahoo: D+
"The Colts lost key pieces on each line, added some help to the secondary, but the Daniel Jones addition pays off only if Anthony Richardson falls apart."
Pro Football Focus: B
PFF considers the addition of quarterback Daniel Jones "below average": "The Colts are making Jones one of the highest-paid backups in the NFL, potentially signaling an open competition with the struggling Anthony Richardson. While Jones isn’t a high-end starting option, he has earned a 70.0-plus PFF grade in each of the last four seasons in which he played at least 350 snaps. Still, this move feels like an overpay by Indianapolis."
CBS Sports: B
"After ranking in the bottom third of the NFL in passing yards allowed in 2024, the Colts have made it a point to improve the secondary. On Day 1, the club landed corner Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum, who are both set-and-forget starters. Bynum is coming off a strong season with the Vikings where he posted 10 pass breakups. Meanwhile, Ward is a former second-team All-Pro player. Indy did lose Odeyingbo to the Bears, and offensive guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly to the Vikings, but the club does have Tanor Bortolini (five starts last season) as an in-house replacement. On Day 2, the Colts found their potential starting quarterback in Daniel Jones. He will have the chance to battle Anthony Richardson for QB1. On Day 2, Indianapolis added a nice complement to Jonathan Taylor in Khalil Herbert, who has a career yards per carry average just under five yards (4.8)."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 8th best in the NFL
"The Colts knew they would take some offensive line hits, but at the same time, they did some major upgrading in the secondary with Ward and Bynum making them much more active for big plays in coverage. Jones was the ideal arm and athletic talent to push Anthony Richardson, too."
Pro Football Network: C-
"Camryn Bynum is a nice addition to a defense that was one of the worst at defending deep passes last season. Bynum isn’t necessarily a value at $15 million per year, but he’ll only be 27 at the start of next season and could easily fulfill this deal given how durable he’s been in starting 17 games the last three seasons.
"In the short-term, the loss of long-time center Ryan Kelly hurts worse. Indianapolis planned for this succession by drafting Tanor Bortolini last year, but there’s a significant element of the unknown in removing Kelly from the equation. Guard Will Fries also got paid by the Vikings on the second day of the negotiating period, removing another starter from the equation.
"In a make-or-break year for Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen, it’s a little surprising the Colts didn’t try to keep most of the offensive line infrastructure in place. Indy brought in Daniel Jones on a one-year, $14 million deal as ostensible competition for Richardson, though that seems like a competition set up for Richardson to win."
Jacob Camenker, USA TODAY: B-
"The Colts needed to add talent to their secondary and have done so, agreeing to terms with cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum on a pair of $60 million contracts. Ward should fit particularly well into Lou Anarumo's defense and will relish a fresh start after mourning the death of his 1-year-old daughter during the 2024 season.
"The Colts lost a couple of offensive linemen, including standout right guard Will Fries, which is dragging their grade down slightly. So too are questions about whether Daniel Jones was the right quarterback to pair with Anthony Richardson, but Jones is just on a one-year, $14 million deal."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts free agency grades 2025; NFL free agent, roster moves
Continue reading...
