2021 NFL Free Agents: Top available at each position

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by JAFF

Not likely to be ready by the beginning of the season. Its a torn achilles. How bad did he tell the attendant I don’t think anybody really knows. Most websites will tell you it’s anywhere from 4 to 12 months depending upon severity.

I think he’s worth looking at because he’s a really good lineman. I wouldn’t get carried away about him being ready for the season

My research said 6 to 9 months on average, and the sources that said 9 months were older studies. With medical technology advancing constantly and NFL players with money like Fisher having access to the best of it, I look at the shorter end of that average as most likely, though of course I'm sure the Colts and any other team would want a full medical workup before signing him. That said, LT and DE are both incredibly deep in this free agent class, so the Colts can walk away with all their needs met prior to the draft, and would be smart to do so IMO.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

My research said 6 to 9 months on average, and the sources that said 9 months were older studies. With medical technology advancing constantly and NFL players with money like Fisher having access to the best of it, I look at the shorter end of that average as most likely, though of course I'm sure the Colts and any other team would want a full medical workup before signing him. That said, LT and DE are both incredibly deep in this free agent class, so the Colts can walk away with all their needs met prior to the draft, and would be smart to do so IMO.

I wouldn’t want a lineman coming off an Achilles injury

[Oldcolt]

Draft our next LT. The draft is deep, we are great at drafting/developing offensive lineman and we need to save money when possible.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

I think bringing Autry back is a strong possibility. I could see the Colts doing that and still pursuing edge rushers in this deep free agent class for edge rushers. Lawson and Okwara are the top two guys most people have never heard of (I'd put Kerry Hyder in this category to a lesser extent as well), and both have the potential to be good edge rushers, but if the Colts are willing to open the wallet a bit, there are guys like Shaq Barrett, Bud Dupree, and Yannick Ngakoue available as well. Ballard seems to have a focus position every offseason, and it seems like DE is likely to be that position this offseason. I think Ballard will get what he believes the team needs in terms of edge rush through free agency. I also think he'll address LT there at least to the point that he can feel comfortable using the 21st pick on BPA. To me, Ojulari is BPA if he's on the board at 21, and there's very little question about that. His first NFL season will be his age 21 season, and to go along with his excellent physical traits, he already has several developed pass rush moves and countermoves, and he bends the edge like an elite pass rusher. He's listed at 6'3" 240-245, and if that's anywhere near accurate, that could easily become 6'3" 250-260 with NFL strength and conditioning without losing any athleticism, which is right around Justin Houston's playing weight. As far as paying a free agent LT, beyond the top few players, I think we are going to see a lot of 1 year prove it deals signed by very good players this year due to cap constraints. Given Fisher's injury and the current market, he could be relatively cheap for a starting LT of his caliber, and may want the security of a longer deal, even if it's not top of market. This team was already planning on spending $16 million on Castanzo, going 3/42-45 or so for a player like Fisher won't break them or stop them from signing any long term extensions they're planning on doing. It also allows them to take someone like Radunz who is more developmental without worrying about short term success.

I wouldn’t mind bringing Autry back. I see a couple of teams are interested in him though. He is versatile and we got a lot of use out of him.

If we go lighter DE, I think I like Ngakoue the best. He has had steady pressure numbers his entire career and I think he is top ten in the league. He is what we want Turay to be. I like Lawson, then Okwara for a strong side DE. I’m not down on Olujari, I think he will be good, I just wonder if we are considering him bc he is on the lighter side. I was reading he is lighter than those numbers. In the 230 range.

I guess it comes down to how much the project the 2017 class eating of the cap. If stampede blue is estimating 18 million left for FA. Not a lot. And we still need to worry about CB, WR, TE. Jonnu Smith is a guy I think would fit well with us. Especially considering Wentz’s preference for TE’s running down the seam.

[Spike]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I wouldn’t mind bringing Autry back. I see a couple of teams are interested in him though. He is versatile and we got a lot of use out of him.

If we go lighter DE, I think I like Ngakoue the best. He has had steady pressure numbers his entire career and I think he is top ten in the league. He is what we want Turay to be. I like Lawson , then Okwara for a strong side DE. I’m not down on Olujari, I think he will be good, I just wonder if we are considering him bc he is on the lighter side. I was reading he is lighter than those numbers. In the 230 range.

I guess it comes down to how much the project the 2017 class eating of the cap. If stampede blue is estimating 18 million left for FA. Not a lot. And we still need to worry about CB, WR, TE. Jonnu Smith is a guy I think would fit well with us. Especially considering Wentz’s preference for TE’s running down the seam.

Lawson or Ngakoue would be a good choice.

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2021/3/...ge-carl-lawson

It appears WR. John Brown would like to be a Colt.

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2021/3/...d-destinations

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

My research said 6 to 9 months on average, and the sources that said 9 months were older studies. With medical technology advancing constantly and NFL players with money like Fisher having access to the best of it, I look at the shorter end of that average as most likely, though of course I'm sure the Colts and any other team would want a full medical workup before signing him. That said, LT and DE are both incredibly deep in this free agent class, so the Colts can walk away with all their needs met prior to the draft, and would be smart to do so IMO.

6 months its September and the season is already underway.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by JAFF

6 months its September and the season is already underway.

6 months from January 29 is September?

[TheMugwump]

Seeing those two Chiefs added to the pool of FA at tackle, all I keep thinking is that someone is going to sign them, and that is two more quality tackles who may not be taken before our first pick.

Still holding out for Christian Darrisaw. Nelson in between him and Kelly would move mountains in the run game. Could pencil Taylor in for 1600 yards on the ground minimum next year.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

6 months from January 29 is September?

9, from your estimate. Worst case. No one can guarantee the best case. Why isnt KC keeping him? They are going to be short on O linemen, losing another starter to FA.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I wouldn’t mind bringing Autry back. I see a couple of teams are interested in him though. He is versatile and we got a lot of use out of him.

If we go lighter DE, I think I like Ngakoue the best. He has had steady pressure numbers his entire career and I think he is top ten in the league. He is what we want Turay to be. I like Lawson, then Okwara for a strong side DE. I’m not down on Olujari, I think he will be good, I just wonder if we are considering him bc he is on the lighter side. I was reading he is lighter than those numbers. In the 230 range.

I guess it comes down to how much the project the 2017 class eating of the cap. If stampede blue is estimating 18 million left for FA. Not a lot. And we still need to worry about CB, WR, TE. Jonnu Smith is a guy I think would fit well with us. Especially considering Wentz’s preference for TE’s running down the seam.

I've heard bringing back Autry is their second internal free agent priority behind bringing back Rhodes. I don't know if either will get done, but they seem to want to.

Ngakoue would be a huge get, and I like that he's young. That said, even if they got Ngakoue, Lawson, and Autry (which would be perfect for a free agent haul for the Colts at DE), I'd still be looking at Ojulari at 21. We will see about his measurables on March 17, but even at 6'2" 230, Mathis played at 6'2" 245 and he was a hell of a force as an edge rusher. Mathis working with Ojulari would be the mold getting fresh clay. Watching Ojulari demolish SEC tackles over and over, including top 50 talent in this draft like Alex Leatherwood, gives me confidence he would do the same in short order in the NFL. Ojulari's film against Leatherwood is reminiscent of Robert Quinn's film against Castanzo, which alone gave me concern about Castanzo's ability to hold up at LT in the NFL.

The only 2017 class the Colts are keeping is Stewart. Hooker, Mack, and Walker are leaving via free agency, and everyone else was already gone. That's why they can afford to go get Ngakoue, Lawson, Autry, Rhodes, and one of the 5 LTs.

Originally Posted by TheMugwump

Seeing those two Chiefs added to the pool of FA at tackle, all I keep thinking is that someone is going to sign them, and that is two more quality tackles who may not be taken before our first pick.

Still holding out for Christian Darrisaw. Nelson in between him and Kelly would move mountains in the run game. Could pencil Taylor in for 1600 yards on the ground minimum next year.

Why so big on Darrisaw? I get he's good, but not so much better than a Liam Eichenberg or Dillon Radunz that he's must have in Round 1. Also, don't count on Schwartz having any impact on the free agency market.

Originally Posted by JAFF

9, from your estimate. Worst case. No one can guarantee the best case. Why isnt KC keeping him? They are going to be short on O linemen, losing another starter to FA.

Improvements in medical technology typically push injury recovery to the low end of the spectrum. As I already stated, obviously the Colts would want to get their own medical workup before signing Fisher and counting on him for anything. That leaves 4 other possible starters available on the free agent market.