The Indianapolis Colts were selected by Pro Football Focus to be a “potential landing spot” for top free agent linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
Along with the Colts, the Detroit Lions were listed as a landing spot for Greenlaw as well.
Greenlaw missed most of the 2024 season recovering from an Achilles injury he had sustained during the 2023 postseason.
Throughout his career, Greenlaw has proven to be a reliable tackler, which has made him a sound run defender, also someone who’s been able to limit opponents in the passing game.
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Greenlaw held pass-catchers to only 8.0 yards per catch and had good ball production at the linebacker position with three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
“Coverage at the linebacker position left something to be desired in this defense with both Franklin and his running mate, E.J. Speed (UFA this offseason), earning coverage grades under 48.0,” wrote PFF’s Mason Cameron. “Inserting Greenlaw into the lineup would be a sizable upgrade, as he produced 82.6 and 79.5 coverage grades in his last two full seasons.”
The overall play from the Colts linebacker position as a whole in 2024 was hot and cold. While there were impactful stretches, there were also games where opponents ran wild on the Indianapolis defense, along with tight ends and running backs making plays in the passing game.
This is a position that will have to be addressed this offseason with EJ Speed and Grant Stuard both set to be free agents. The extent to which the Colts do that will likely be dependent on how they feel about second-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies potentially stepping into a larger role.
As a former college safety, he can potentially add that missing coverage element that PFF highlighted as being a need for the Colts.
PFF is projecting that Greenlaw will earn a one-year deal in free agency worth $6 million. A contract that could end up being a steal for whichever team signs him.
