Indianapolis Colts free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

By Joe Romano | Feb 1, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Dante Fowler (56) raises hands during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Landon Collins, S

An often overlooked part of defenses in the NFL for a while has been the safety position. Indianapolis has a mixed bag at the position going forward. Malik Hooker, the former first round pick is healthy and looked like a foundational piece moving forward. The other safety spot was roamed by veterans Clayton Geathers, Mike Mitchell, J.J. Wilcox and Matthias Farley. All four of those players are free agents themselves. The Colts might be best served to let them walk and swing for the fences.

If they hit a home run it would come in the form of Giants’ safety Landon Collins. The former Pro-Bowl safety would be the perfect fit for this Indianapolis defense. A turmoil-filled 2018 season may leave a bitter taste in Collins’ mouth, causing him to bolt from the team that drafted him.

Collins is an ideal running-mate for the young Hooker. Where Hooker excels at patrolling over the top and being a center fielder, Collins is more of the hybrid type player that can compliment him. The two would form a fearsome duo that could help the corners (an area of slight concern) while helping the rangy linebackers as well.

Coming off a season-ending shoulder injury, Collins is just 24 years old. The Giants have the option to franchise tag him, paying him the average of the top five safeties. There are reports that he wants to be the highest paid player at the position, which may stall a long-term deal. If he does leave, the Colts can jump on the chance to land a game-changing player to the back-end of their defense.

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