2022 NFL Free Agency

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by bigalbert

Yeah I don’t care who it is as long as he can catch. Lol


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https://www.colts.com/team/players-roster/ashton-dulin/

Small sample size. Cant wait for camp

[Oldcolt]

Thanks to Ironshaft I now understand our financial situation much better (having this kind of expertise available has been missed big time by us. It makes out discussions so much more intelligent). I'm thinking that we are likely not to sign any WRs. Ballard will draft them. Same with guard. I'm hoping the money goes to Mathieu (I understand that this isn't our biggest need but if we are going to go deep into the playoffs we need a big time defense. This guy would really help that) or a left tackle. At least I can see a way forward, before Ryan that seemed impossible to me.

[njcoltfan]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

Thanks to Ironshaft I now understand our financial situation much better (having this kind of expertise available has been missed big time by us. It makes out discussions so much more intelligent). I'm thinking that we are likely not to sign any WRs. Ballard will draft them. Same with guard. I'm hoping the money goes to Mathieu (I understand that this isn't our biggest need but if we are going to go deep into the playoffs we need a big time defense. This guy would really help that) or a left tackle. At least I can see a way forward, before Ryan that seemed impossible to me.

I think it's obvious that Ballard is going to try to fill the remaining holes ( WR, LT, CB ) thru the draft, maybe he takes a flyer and signs Julio Jones after the draft. I think Pryor will be the starting LT on opening day, the guy is 6'7" and weighs close to 350lbs so he definitely has the size to play the position, and by all accounts is a mauler in the run game, hopefully he's the LT for the next 10 years. I was a little skeptical with the Ryan signing, but after reading a whole bunch of articles about the guy I honestly can't wait until the season starts.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by njcoltfan

I think it's obvious that Ballard is going to try to fill the remaining holes ( WR, LT, CB ) thru the draft, maybe he takes a flyer and signs Julio Jones after the draft. I think Pryor will be the starting LT on opening day, the guy is 6'7" and weighs close to 350lbs so he definitely has the size to play the position, and by all accounts is a mauler in the run game, hopefully he's the LT for the next 10 years. I was a little skeptical with the Ryan signing, but after reading a whole bunch of articles about the guy I honestly can't wait until the season starts.

He graded out at 87 vs the raiders and allowed 2 pressures and went against ngakwe most of his snaps

[Ironshaft]

I, of course, prefer a LT with the measurables and draft pedigree that would better indicate that they have the capacity to play at a very high level.

However, I am reminded of a great Colt by the name of Jeff Saturday whom, as we all know, was judged to not have the "skills" to be a long time starter in the NFL and the experts were wrong.

On Matt Pryor, I am struck by the lack of negatives in his NFL.com draft profile located here.

They rate him as a 5th or 6th round choice (eventually being drafted in the 6th by PHI) but the only negatives they talk about are:

-- He was heavy (390) coming out of college and might be lax about weight management.
-- Avg lateral movement and could struggle against change of pace rushers.
-- Reputation for being a bit lazy.

Typically, when you look at lower round O-linemen profiles, they list a whole host of issues mostly centering around lack of technique, lack of quickness or lack of effort. Except for the lazy/lack of weight management, there is not much there.

And, assuming that the coaching staff has been able to get him to maintain his healthy weight ($5.5m would indicate that they have), then it really boils down to him just being able to play within the system.

In this article, Pryor was identified as one of 35 players not invited to the combine in 2018 that the writer felt would be drafted (here):

Matt Pryor, TCU (6-6, 343, 5.60)
Over the past three seasons, Pryor was interchangeable between right guard and right tackle, earning praise from the TCU coaches for his versatility. His weight needs to be monitored and he tends to play tall, but he is coordinated in his shuffle with the ability to sustain blocks.

And while I cannot see individual breakdowns from PFF, his first two seasons with PHI were underwhelming grades (62.0 and 55.0 which is NFL average to slightly below NFL average), his 2021 grade was a 76.5 on 438 snaps which grades out to an above average starter (the 80.0 threshold being the "elite" player).

So, bottom line is that I feel better about giving Pryor a shot at starting. He played well there in 2021, the Colts are obviously okay with his effort and weight management because Ballard does not re-sign someone who they are not happy with (i.e. Carson Wentz) and I have little doubt that there will be an OT drafted somewhere in the 2nd/3rd/4th round of 2022 in a deep O-Lineman class that could potentially be the long-term swing if Pryor works out and signs a long term contract in 2023 or can end up getting a shot at LT if Pryor does not work out.

Bottom line is this is where we appear to be going so, I better get onboard!

[Oldcolt]

Ironshaft I think you are probably correct but I am not totally convinced that Fisher isn't coming back. Last off season Ballard was saying how Tevi was going to be our starting tackle. I can find zero news on Fisher on the net. And I always thought it was a two year deal to get back to himself. We still need a decent backup swing tackle if you are correct that Pryor is our starter. Draft?

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by njcoltfan

I was a little skeptical with the Ryan signing, but after reading a whole bunch of articles about the guy I honestly can't wait until the season starts.

Once his name was thrown in the mix, I wanted him above the rest. But I was still skeptical like you. I've now read and watched a bunch on him and I'm also really stoked about next season.

Originally Posted by apballin

He graded out at 87 vs the raiders and allowed 2 pressures and went against ngakwe most of his snaps

I'll trust the smarter guys in the building. If he's long-term, that's awesome. If he's just good enough until they find the prospect they want, cool. He's at least a good swing.

I don't see many more FA moves, but I'd be least surprised by bringing in a DB. WR/OT I feel like are coming solely in the draft.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

David Bell runs routes, serious real routes- if you have a QB that throws on time and isn't afraid to throw to a spot (in other words the ANTI-WENTZ) Bell is gonna do you real well. There is a great deal of Reggie Wayne to his game.

I just don’t see Ballard drafting him at all. He puts too much emphasis on athleticism. I would be surprised if Bell even goes before the third round. His windows will be a lot smaller. He struggles to create separation on horizontal and verticals routes in college, it will be even tougher in the pros. They want speed to complement MPJ and JT. Bell won’t do that. Purdue fans got those gold tinted glasses on when it comes to him. I would rather go after Burks if they target this type.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I just don’t see Ballard drafting him at all. He puts too much emphasis on athleticism. I would be surprised if Bell even goes before the third round. His windows will be a lot smaller. He struggles to create separation on horizontal and verticals routes in college, it will be even tougher in the pros. They want speed to complement MPJ and JT. Bell won’t do that. Purdue fans got those gold tinted glasses on when it comes to him. I would rather go after Burks if they target this type.

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...r/_/id/4570409

He makes plays. He plays big in big games

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

I just don’t see Ballard drafting him at all. He puts too much emphasis on athleticism. I would be surprised if Bell even goes before the third round. His windows will be a lot smaller. He struggles to create separation on horizontal and verticals routes in college, it will be even tougher in the pros. They want speed to complement MPJ and JT. Bell won’t do that. Purdue fans got those gold tinted glasses on when it comes to him. I would rather go after Burks if they target this type.

Patmon, Strachan, or Paschal are not fast at all

Bell is very athletic and a willing run blocker which kept Paschal on the field most of the time