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10 NFL teams who could change their fortunes via Free Agency

By Andrew Garda

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Indianapolis Colts

Overview: The Indianapolis Colts need to get Andrew Luck some help on both sides of the ball as there are too many times where it seems like they are just hoping Luck does something to keep them in the game. He has a wide receiver in T.Y. Hilton and a tight end and….not much else. They have zero excuse not to change that now, as they possess $41,285,186 with just $4.8 in dead money.

They need to get someone who can replace Reggie Wayne down the road and they need a running back because even the Colts figured out Trent Richardson wasn’t that guy—though there are some nice options in the NFL Draft as well.

Pros: When you have Andrew Luck and a true No. 1 receiver, there isn’t a rush to add a receiver at an exorbitant rate. So while teams beat themselves up running at Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb, the Colts can look at the role players behind them, like a Cecil Shorts. More than likely they shoot for this in the draft, but at worst the cost should be low. And there are plenty of running backs to choose from who won’t cost an arm and a leg (though the Colts are another team mentioned around Vikings back Adrian Peterson). So investing in some offensive line talent should be the focus and they should go top shelf with guys like Mike Iupati and Bryan Bulaga, as well as Orlando Franklin and Rodney Hudson as backups.

Then they should be all in on defense.

If they don’t get sucked into the Ndamukong Suh race, they could pick up a pair of interior defensive linemen like Suh’s teammate Nick Fairley and a guy like Jared Odrick. There are also plenty of linebacker talent and secondary talent to choose from and plenty of money.

Cons: For whatever reason, the Colts continue to find ways to underwhelm in free agency. While this year should be different, this team seems to be content waiting for Luck to bail them out. Hopefully they can get enough talent on the offensive line and defensive front to help him out, but some of their decisions have been baffling (Erik Walden? For real?) and so it’s hard to trust them fully.

For the Colts it’s not so much about ‘turning things around’ as it is ‘getting over the hump. This team is close, but the Patriots showed that they aren’t as close as they should be.

Next: Tennessee Titans

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