One perfect free agency signing for each NFL team

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 25: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) prepares to stiff arm Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans on December 25, 2017 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 30: Trey Flowers #98 of the New England Patriots reacts during the third quarter of a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts – Trey Flowers

Andrew Luck’s dramatic, and perhaps improbable, return to enjoy a completely healthy 2018 campaign piloted the Colts to a terrific playoff run. The offense could definitely use more weapons, but there aren’t a ton of great options available in free agency. That’s why defense will be where the Indianapolis front office does their shopping.

The decision to draft Darius Leonard in the second round last April couldn’t have worked out any better for the Colts. He gives them a linebacker capable of gobbling up tackles at a prodigious clip. One thing he can’t do is consistently rush the passer.

The Colts actually didn’t have a single player reach the 10 sack plateau in 2018. That’s why finding a premier edge rusher should be a big priority this offseason. There’s certainly some logic to putting a guy like Jadeveon Clowney or DeMarcus Lawrence in this spot.

However, neither player really seems like a fit for Frank Reich’s idea of how a player should perform. Flowers, in sharp contrast, feels like just the sort of versatile star who could thrive on the Colts front line. The Patriots should try to keep him, but Bill Belichick can be very cheap when it comes to edge rushers. If the Colts want to make Flowers a strong offer they should be in position to land him.

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