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Like every NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts have numerous players who are set to become free agents after the season. Chris Ballard, or whoever will serve as the general manager this offseason, will have to decide which of those players the team should bring back.
The Colts have had a disappointing 2022-2023 campaign, posting a 4-11-1 record and obviously being eliminated from playoff contention.
To improve, it is imperative that the team makes solid offseason moves like drafting quality players, executing trades, and bringing in free agents from other teams. Retaining a few of their own free agents is also a way to help get things back on track for next year.
Here are three free agents the Colts should retain this spring:
#1 - Yannick Ngakoue
Indy picked up Yannick Ngakoue last offseason in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The defensive end has had a nice first year as a Colt, leading the team with 9.5 sacks (19th most in the league). He has also made 29 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
Ngakoue will surely be one of the top pass rushers on the market this spring. While many teams should show interest, the Colts need to keep him or their defense could drop off dramatically next season.
#2 - Parris Campbell
Taken by the Colts in the second round of the 2019 draft, Parris Campbell was bitten hard by an injury bug at the start of his career. The former Ohio State Buckeye played a combined 15 games in his first three years.
Thankfully, Campbell has stayed healthy this season, recording 57 receptions, 581 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
He has teamed up with Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Alec Pierce to form a respectable young wide receiver corps for Indianapolis.
The Colts will likely draft a quarterback, and that guy will need a weapon like Campell to succeed.
#3 - Rodney McLeod
After spending the first 10 years of his career with the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles, Rodney McLeod signed a one-year deal with Indy last year.
This has arguably been the best season of his career. The 32-year-old safety has 88 total tackles, 33 assisted tackles, (8) tackles for loss, and seven pass deflections in his career.
Defense was one of the few bright spots for the Colts this year, as McLeod contributed in the secondary. Why not bring him back for another season?
