Colts' Free Agent Needs to Address After the Draft

Trading for DeForest Buckner left the Indianapolis Colts without a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, but general manager Chris Ballard came out swinging on Day 2. Holding two of the first nine selections, the Colts wasted no time adding offensive talent in USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (No. 34 overall) and Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (No. 41 overall).

Indianapolis also potentially addressed the future of the quarterback position by drafting Washington product Jacob Eason in the fourth round.

What we're trying to say that the Colts did a sound job with their nine picks. However, they do have further holes to fill in free agency. Here are the team's three biggest needs following the draft.

3. Cornerback

CB Xavier Rhodes signed with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The Colts are awfully thin at cornerback following the draft, as Xavier Rhodes, who's fresh off his worst season as a pro, is the only reliable option for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Behind Rhodes, Indianapolis has Rock Ya-Sin and fellow free agent addition TJ Carrie. Adding more depth via free agency should be a priority for the team, especially following the trade of Quincy Wilson.

2. Offensive Line

Indianapolis Colts star OL Quenton Nelson / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Hear us out before you lose your marbles, Colts fans. We aren't denying that Indy has one of the NFL's most dominant offensive lines. However, the team is pretty thin in terms of its depth up front. In fact, the only seasoned backup is Le’Raven Clark, who's appeared in 35 games (12 starts) since entering the league in 2016. Ballard used just one selection on an offensive lineman: Ball State product Danny Pinter in the fifth round.

1. Defensive End

The Colts didn't re-sign DE Jabaal Sheard / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

After allowing veteran Jabaal Sheard to walk in free agency, Indianapolis surprisingly passed on drafting a defensive end. The 30-year-old started 44 of a possible 48 games for Indy across the last three seasons. 2017 sixth-round pick Al-Quadin Muhammad and 2018 second-rounder Kemoko Turay simply aren't ready to become full-time starters. Expect the Colts to add a DE before the start of camp.