Colts Floated As Potential Free Company Touchdown Spot For 69-Sack 3-Time Professional Bowler

The Indianapolis Colts fell brief within the 2024 playoff race, ending 8-9 after a rocky season marked by quarterback inconsistency. The protection couldn’t decide up the slack with Anthony Richardson benched and the offense in fixed flux. The Colts allowed the ninth-most factors within the NFL (427) and gave up the fourth-most yards (6,140).

Even worse, they couldn’t get after the quarterback. Solely six groups completed with fewer sacks, and Indianapolis posted only a 69.9 grade in PFSN’s Protection+ metric, rating twenty third within the league. However assist could possibly be on the way in which within the type of a confirmed veteran move rusher.

Colts Linked With Free Agent Edge Za’Darius Smith

With the 2025 NFL Draft looming, groups are targeted on the following wave of expertise. However a number of difference-makers stay accessible in free company, together with three-time Professional Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.

Smith performed for his third NFC North workforce in 2024, suiting up for the Detroit Lions. Regardless of coping with accidents alongside the defensive entrance, the Lions rode a powerful season to the No. 1 seed within the NFC. Smith contributed 4 sacks in seven begins and was thought of a shock minimize by some observers when Detroit let him go.

Now in the marketplace once more, Smith has drawn curiosity from a number of groups. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sees the Colts as a really perfect match.

“The Indianapolis Colts added cornerback Charvarius Ward and security Camryn Bynum to the again finish of their protection early in free company. Nevertheless, they may use a bit of extra assistance on the sting after shedding Dayo Odeyingbo to the Chicago Bears,” Knox wrote.

“Za’Darius Smith is without doubt one of the high edge-rushers nonetheless accessible and could be an instantaneous contributor in Indy. Although the Detroit Lions launched him early within the offseason, he carried out effectively in his half-season with the membership. In eight video games with the Lions, he tallied 4 sacks, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.”

Smith has now performed for 4 groups in 4 seasons — a stat that may concern some entrance places of work. However with the Colts determined for manufacturing on the sting, his expertise and observe document could be a welcome addition as they attempt to snap a four-year playoff drought.

Rams Named Finest Match for Smith as L.A. Seems to Reload for One Extra Run

Whereas Knox made the case for Indy, one other analyst sees a unique path. In a latest article on free company matches, PFSN’s Kyle Soppe pointed to the Los Angeles Rams as Smith’s finest touchdown spot.

“The Los Angeles Rams posted a below-average strain price when not blitzing, an space the place [Aaron] Donald’s presence was missed in a direct method,” Soppe wrote. “They have been, nevertheless, elite by way of producing warmth when blitzing (fourth in strain price). They have been in a position to scheme up profitable conditions.”

Soppe argues that including Smith would shore up a transparent space of weak point and lift the ground and ceiling of L.A.’s move rush. With Matthew Stafford nonetheless at quarterback and the workforce in win-now mode, the transfer might make sense for each side.

Soppe additionally named the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs as potential suitors. With Smith turning 33 in September, a one-year deal looks as if the more than likely situation—whether or not in Indy, L.A., or elsewhere.