[Kray007]

As we approach the end of free agency, it has been widely noted that the Colts have lost 5 starters to free agency. Some analysts, wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth, gaze into their crystal balls and divine those losses as the first sign of an impending apocalypse. Flaming frogs are falling from the skies, St Michael has entered the Colts complex on West 56th St, sword flaming; hair shirts go on sale Monday.

I’m not here to minimize what’s happened. Certainly, losing five starters is serious business. But, let’s face it, in the immortal words of George Orwell, all pigs aren’t created equal.

To start out, try to remember that turnover isn’t unusual. In the age of free agency and the salary cap, you can’t keep your roster intact, season after season. Better men than Chris Ballard have tried, better men than Chris Ballard have failed. So, who have we lost?

Michael Pittman Jr…is, certainly, the biggest name on this list and he was shipped out to create cap space. Was he a good Receiver? Sure, but was he worth the $29 Million cap hit that keeping him would have entailed? When the Colts re’upped him, there was hope that he might turn out to be a legit #1 Receiver. in 2023, he had 109 receptions for 1152 yards. But, since then, he’s settled in to a role as a solid, reliable, over the middle, number 2 option. You don’t pay those guys $29 Million. Without him, they still have high quality starters in Pierce and Downs. Nick Westbrook-ikhine was brought in, presumably, to compete with Ashton Dulin for the vacant position. It’s not unreasonable to expect one of them to find some degree of success. Beyond that, my own crystal ball grows hazy. I have little doubt that they’ll take a flyer on the position in the draft. Beyond that, if they don’t acquire an edge rusher, it’s possible that they trade for this year’s version of AJ Brown or Devante Adams.

Braden Smith…I’m pretty sure that Chris Ballard would have made a major push to keep the Right Tackle had he been 27 years old. But, he’s a 30 year old who shows signs of wearing down. Jalen Travis was drafted and saw a decent amount of action as a rookie. While the sample size was small, he didn't look overmatched, especially when you consider that his five starts came against teams like Houston, the cream of Colt’s opponents. His PFF pass blocking score, for what it’s worth, was equal to Smith’s. His run blocking was appreciably better.

Kwity Paye…considering that someone ante’d up $48 Million for him in free agency, and the Colts netted a 4th round compensatory pick for him, you assume that the loss is going to carve out a huge hole in the defensive lineup. To me, though, he’s fool’s gold. He sets a nice edge, and his physical tools are impressive. It’s possible that, with different coaching and a different scheme, he’ll flower into the pass rushing gem many expected when he was drafted. But, with every legit analyst looking at the Colts going into the offseason and saying that the biggest need was at DE, it’s hard to wring your hands when they move on. Have they filled that need? Not yet; but, in this corner of the ether’sphere, there’s hope. Joey Bosa is still sitting out there, dangling from the free agent tree like a ripe banana. Failing that, we have a draft that’s deep, and Jeez…if Chris Ballard pulls the trigger enough times at DE, surely he’ll come somewhere near the target.

Zaire Franklin…if you want a 30 year old Linebacker who can’t cover a blocking sled and whose tackling seems to be trending in the wrong direction, boy do I have a guy for you. Just a year removed from the Pro Bowl, Zaire looked like a completely different player... and not in the good way. There’s no question that there’s a big hole at his position, but that hole would have existed even had he remained. In the best possible world, Jaylon Carlies stays healthy and fulfills his potential. Plan 1A is to delve into a deep draft class and pluck out Jacob Rodriguez, who looks like a legit piece.

Nick Cross…personally, I liked Nick. He was a nice piece against the run. But, opposing Quarterbacks completed more than 70% of their passes when throwing in his direction. With any luck, Wohlers overcomes his Lisfranc injury and fulfills the potential he showed before going down. If that happens, they should be fine. If not, they have Daniel Scott and a couple of players signed as free agents. Bottom line, this isn’t a Mother Hubbard situation. Without Nick, the cupboard isn’t dry.