Colts' Draft Focus: Filling Roster Gaps

0:00On March 28, Indianapolis Colts still got some roster gaffes to plug after the free agency frenzy, mainly at defensive end, linebacker, wide receiver, and safety. They lost key vets like Kwadi Payah, to the Raiders and Samson Ebacham, to the Falcons at Edge, traded Zaire Franklin away at linebacker, let Michael. Pittman Jr. go at receiver, and saw safeties Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas depart. They already signed some depth, like linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaether, and safety's Wanye Thomas and Jonathan Owens, but those feel more like backups. At defensive end, top free agents left include 31-year-old Joey Bosa from the Bills, 29-year-old Anfone Jennings from the Pats, and Haysen Reddick from the Bucks. For linebacker, their own germane Pratt is still available, along with Bobby Okareki from the Giants in Jalani Tavae. Both are buzzing about how these holes hit the defense hard, especially needing speed and bend up front opposite Leatu, Latu.

1:01At receiver, keeping Ali Pierceman sacrificing Pittman, so they're hunting possession guys who block well, maybe Juan Jennings fits, though big. Names like Stefan Diggs and Tyree Kill are long shots. Safeties got a boost with Young Hunter Wooler. They like a lot, but vets like Ashtine Davis or Xavier Woods could compete. For all, expect the Colts to hit these spots hard in day two of the draft to get faster and more athletic across the board. With free agency winding down, all eyes on how GM Chris Ballard mixes vets and rookies to build that contender by for next season.