The Indianapolis Colts were able to keep a priority in-house free agent during the first day of legal tampering in free agency.
Defensive tackle Grover Stewart agreed to a three-year deal worth $39 million to stay in Indianapolis. This was a vital contract for Chris Ballard to get done this offseason. His value to the defense was on display in 2023 when he was out of the lineup during his six-game suspension.
How does this impact Indy’s draft plans?
By having Stewart on the roster, there isn’t a glaring need at the one-tech spot ahead of the upcoming NFL draft. With that being said, that shouldn’t stop from Ballard having one-tech prospects on his radar over the next month and a half.
As I alluded to, the Colts defense struggled mightily defending the run without Stewart, and they can’t afford to have that happen again in 2024 if the veteran defensive tackle has to miss any time.
Stewart has been durable throughout his career but it has to be kept in mind that he will turn 33 during the final year of his new contract.
Age could finally catch up to him in the next few years so having a young player to develop behind him would be ideal. It would provide depth if any injuries to Stewart were to occur and the coaching staff would have three seasons to prep the player to take over Stewart’s role when his contract is up.
I see the third round being the earliest where we could see Ballard take a one-tech defensive tackle prospect like a T’Vondre Sweat if he falls that far but there are other quality options that will be on the board in Day 3.
Getting more beef for the middle of the trenches has to be done in the upcoming NFL draft.
