Samson Ebukam and Rodney Thomas II are the latest Indianapolis Colts free agents to find new homes as the defense changes drastically.
We knew the Indianapolis Colts wanted to change their defense substantially this offseason, but so far, they've lost far more value than they've replaced it with.
On Thursday, defensive end Samson Ebukam and Rodney Thomas II departed the Colts in free agency; Ebukam for the Atlanta Falcons and Thomas for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
They were the latest in a self-designed exodus of the defense, as the Colts traded away top linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Colby Wooden. Defensive end Kwity Paye (Las Vegas Raiders), safety Nick Cross (Washington Commanders), and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (Chicago Bears) have all left as well.
Between Franklin (82), Paye (74), Cross (38), Thomas (26), Ebukam (18), and Gallimore (8), they have started an average of 41 games for the Colts. It's fine, and was even expected, that the Colts would have a defensive overhaul. However, the most significant players they're supposed to replace haven't been.
While the Colts did swap Franklin for Wooden, the only other players they've added aren't starters, or at least shouldn't be. The Colts signed defensive ends Arden Key and Micheal Clemons as well as nose tackle Derrick Nnadi.
For what it's worth, Wooden, Key, and Clemons do represent direct replacements for Gallimore, Ebukam, and Lewis, respectively. However, guys like Franklin, Paye, and Cross, who were starters for multiple years, have yet to be replaced.
As a result, the Colts have clear holes all across the defense, needing a starter at end, two starting linebackers, a starting strong safety, and the deep subpackage safety.
The Colts have a comfortable amount of salary cap space — and their aggressive pursuit of Trey Hendrickson indicates they want to add a significant player — but the free-agent pool is dwindling.
According to Spotrac.com, among current defensive free agents projected to earn at least $5 million per year on their next contract, only 11 of the 23 are under 30 years old, and of those 11, only six are at positions the Colts need to address.
While the Colts can still shake the bushes for decent players, the bulk of their acquisitions may come through trade or the draft. It's a draft, mind you, in which the Colts only currently hold two picks in the top 100.
Colts defensive linemen Tyquan Lewis, Eric Johnson II, and Chris Wormley, linebackers Germaine Pratt, Segun Olubi, Buddy Johnson, and Jacob Phillips, cornerbacks Chris Lammons and Cameron Mitchell, and safety George Odum all remain on the market.