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Indianapolis Colts free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

By Parker Hurley

Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah Pead (24) carries the ball as Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) closes in during the second quarter of a football game at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah Pead (24) carries the ball as Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) closes in during the second quarter of a football game at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) runs onto the field during players introductions before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) runs onto the field during players introductions before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Melvin Ingram

While the Colts do need help on offense, their biggest needs will come on the defensive side of the ball. When looking at their edge rushers coming into 2017 there is not much to like. Trent Cole, Robert Mathis, Erik Walden and Akeem Ayers are all free agents this offseason.

Mathis may flirt with retirement and Cole should not even be wanted back. Walden is a rotational piece, and Ayers may see more than he is worth on the market. If the Colts want to get serious this year, they need to upgrade their edge rushing position. The big name on the market appears to be Melvin Ingram.

The Chargers are shifting to a 4-3 defense, and while Ingram is versatile, he has come up in the 3-4. In the past two seasons, Ingram has put up 18.5 sacks. On top of that, he forced six fumbles last season. He is a better scheme fit in Indianapolis than he is in San Diego, and he may be able to find a bigger deal in Indianapolis as well. Ingram is a presence off of the edge that the Colts haven’t had since Mathis and Dwight Freeney were in their primes. They need to find a way to get after the quarterback, and Ingram in his prime may be the best option to do so.

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