5 targets for Colts in 2022 NFL free agency

Casey Hayward is pretty much a lock to go the Colts after Gus Bradley was hired

While Ingram may have interest in reuniting with Bradley in Indianapolis, it is pretty much a guarantee Raiders cornerback Casey Hayward is joining the Colts this offseason. Hayward played for the 2021 Raiders after having played for Bradley in Los Angeles several years prior. At this stage of his career, Hayward gets to pick and choose where he wants to plays. He picks Bradley.

Fate would have it, the Colts could be in the mix to add a defensive back or two in NFL free agency. Hayward may not be a ballhawk at this point of his career, but the guy does not miss games. He is a technician in the back-end of a Bradley-coached defense. For that reason, the fit should be seamless for him if he wants to play for Bradley at a third different stop in his NFL playing career.

The only real downside in adding a player like Hayward is the price tag. He had been a Pro Bowl player earlier in his Chargers career, but that was five years ago. Though the Colts have the cap space to pay Hayward enough money to get him to leave Las Vegas for Indianapolis, they are not swimming in enough of it to pay him at a gross premium for his services. They can still afford him.

Very few defensive backs are as well-versed in Bradley’s defensive scheme quite like Hayward is.