The Indianapolis Colts have had a busy offseason, but what needs must they still address?
The Indianapolis Colts have had a frenzied offseason, making 20 additions in March, including re-signing their own free agents. However, the caveat is that some of the most significant needs that they had entering the offseason remain or have simply transformed.
The following are the Colts' three biggest roster needs and what has transpired so far this offseason.
Dec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA;Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam (52) walks off the field after a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguarsat EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn ImagesDEFENSIVE END
Under Contract in 2026: Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, JT Tuimoloau, Micheal Clemons, Durell Nchami, Viliami Fehoko Jr.
Subtractions: Kwity Paye (Las Vegas Raiders), Samson Ebukam (Atlanta Falcons), Tyquan Lewis (free agent)
The Colts needed improvement on the edge already when the offseason began, having ranked tied 15th in sacks with 39. Paye and Ebukam then signed elsewhere, and Lewis remains on the market. Perhaps none of the three were intended to return, but the Colts still need capable players on the field, nonetheless.
On the surface, the Colts replaced Ebukam with Key and Lewis with Clemons, but Paye has yet to be replaced, which is significant because he's a five-year starter and averages 650 defensive snaps per year.
Indianapolis Colts linebackers Zaire Franklin (44) and Austin Ajiake (58) celebrate a quarterback sack Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, against the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStarLINEBACKER
Under Contract in 2026: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies, John Bullock, Joseph Vaughn, Devin Veresuk
Subtractions: Zaire Franklin (Green Bay Packers), Germaine Pratt (free agent), Segun Olubi (Raiders), Buddy Johnson (free agent), Jacob Phillips (free agent)
The Colts recently signed Davis-Gaither, which stopped the bleeding at the linebacker position because they had only been losing bodies up to that point. The Colts traded away Zaire Franklin, which was a fine move as long as there was a replacement. Davis-Gaither appears to be a replacement for Pratt, but the Colts don't yet have anyone to adequately fill in for Franklin.
Indianapolis Colts center Danny Pinter (63) stands with Indianapolis Colts center Tanor Bortolini (60) and Indianapolis Colts guard Dalton Tucker (68) on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, ahead of the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/IndyStarOFFENSIVE LINE DEPTH
BACKUPS Under Contract in 2026: Dalton Tucker, Blake Freeland, Luke Tenuta, Josh Sills, Jimmy Morrissey, Bayron Matos, LaDarius Henderson, Bill Murray, Jack Wilson
Subtractions: Danny Pinter (Baltimore Ravens)
The Colts will have Jalen Travis as their new starting right tackle after Smith left for the Texans. Travis got some playing time late last year, which should give the Colts confidence that he will be fine moving forward. The starting five is in decent shape, but the depth deserves some skepticism in its current state.
Pinter's departure for Baltimore leaves the Colts without a backup center, which is critical given that Bortolini has missed time in each of the last two years due to concussions. The Colts could also use another interior player (who could be the same person as the new backup center) to challenge Dalton Tucker for the third guard spot. Likewise, Luke Tenuta vs. Blake Freeland for the swing-tackle gig doesn't have enough juice.
Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes the catch and dives short of the end zone Houston Texans during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn ImagesKEEP AN EYE ON
Wide Receiver: The Colts no longer have Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell. They signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as a stopgap, but he doesn't offer the package of traits that the Colts lost with Pittman and Mitchell.
Running Back: The Colts drafted DJ Giddens on Day 3 last year and were bullish on him as an immediate contributor. He never found a role as a rookie (in part due to not being a special-teamer), and should not be considered a hindrance to upgrading the position behind Jonathan Taylor. The Colts also have yet to re-sign either Tyler Goodson or Ameer Abdullah, a couple of veterans they relied on last year.
Nose Tackle: The Colts have been very active on the defensive line, but haven't yet added suitable competition for backup nose tackle behind Grover Stewart. Right now, it would be Derrick Nnadi vs. Tim Smith for that role. Anyone else currently on the roster would likely be playing out of position.