Pro Football Focus recently picked one free agent signing that each NFL team should make during the 2025 offseason. So who did they choose for the Indianapolis Colts?
With there being a number of needs that the Colts have to fill as GM Chris Ballard looks to bulk up the competition on this roster, there are quite a few directions PFF could have gone here.
However, they would go with the linebacker position, specifically Nick Bolton, who spent his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
PFF noted the Colts struggles in coverage at the linebacker position this past season, with that unit ranking 26th in coverage grade. But Bolton would rank among the best in coverage by PFF’s metrics.
“Bolton was solid yet again for the Chiefs during the 2024 regular season, securing a 65.4 PFF overall grade with a 66.1 PFF coverage mark — ranking seventh among 23 linebackers to play 500 or more coverage snaps.”
Bolton, at still just 24-years-old, has been a key player in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense since entering the NFL, and played nearly 1,000 defensive snaps in 2024.
As a blitzer, he generated 13 pressures, and has been a fairly reliable tackler throughout his career. In coverage, he held pass-catchers to under 10.0 yards per catch and recorded one interception and three pass breakups in 2024.
Rookie Jaylon Carlies–a former college safety–did show promise in 2024, but adding competition for that starting spot next to Zaire Franklin should be on Ballard’s to-do list.
In addition to competition for playing time, depth is needed as well with EJ Speed and Grant Stuard both set to be free agents.
