What is the big item on the Indianapolis Colts offseason to-do list?
Following an 8-9 season and the fourth straight year that the Colts didn’t make the playoffs and the 10th straight year that they haven’t won the AFC South, there are quite a few potential answers to this question.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com recently selected the one offseason move that each team should make. For the Colts, he selected adding a free safety to Lou Anarumo’s defense.
“The Indianapolis Colts land a top cornerback in this post-Senior Bowl 2025 NFL mock draft,” wrote Patra. “Indy could use a coverage linebacker and CB depth to aid its new DC’s arrival, but upgrading with a rangy playmaker at safety is a must if the Colts want to turn things around swiftly.”
Nick Cross made strides last season, but did so as the strong safety. The free safety role will be up for grabs this season with Julian Blackmon a free agent and Rodney Thomas and Marcel Dabo the only other safeties under contract at the moment.
A rangy safety on the back-end in an important element for Anarumo’s defense, as Patra mentions, particularly with the heavy disguised looks that are utilized.
The Colts secondary as a whole has to improve in 2025. This was a unit that ranked in the bottom 10 last season in completion rate, yards per pass attempt, passer rating, and pass deflections.
Anarumo’s scheme can help with some of that heavy lifting, but GM Chris Ballard needs to make additions as well, whether that be through free agency and/or the draft.
As far as free agent options go, Patra mentioned Jevon Holland and Tre’von Moehrig as two players who could provide the Colts’ safety position with a big boost.
