Indianapolis Colts: 5 offseason needs in 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) before the snap in the third quarter of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game game between the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2019 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Kenny Moore II #23 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball after intercepting a pass against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Improvement at cornerback

There be another look at the Indianapolis Colts’ secondary later in this piece. Here, the focus will be at the cornerback spot.

While this team certainly made strides from a year ago on the defensive side of the football, the team could certainly use some more help when it comes to stopping opposing quarterbacks and receivers from having their way. In 2017, the club gave up the fifth-most passing yards in the league and surrendered 23 scores through the air. Fast forward one year and the Colts were 16tt in the NFL against the pass. But Indianapolis defenders did give up 21 TD passes.

Coordinator Matt Eberflus has quite the underrated commodity in versatile cornerback Kenny Moore. Via Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he gets higher grades as a run stopper than in pass coverage. But all he did was finish fifth on the team with 76 tackles, lead the club in interceptions (3) and passes defensed (11) while adding 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Teammate Pierre Desir (whose contract expires on March 13) was also excellent on run support (sixth on PFF’s list in this category) and finished with 79 stops, eight passes defensed, one pick and two forced fumbles. Will he be re-signed this offseason.

There are also a pair of two-year players seemingly headed in opposite directions. Nate Hairston started the final seven games of ’18 before losing his job, while fellow 2017 classmate Quincy Wilson played better after a shaky start. Hence, this area has a few too many question marks and may be addressed in the coming months.

Next: No. 3

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