The Colts Need to Make One Final Splash and Sign Jadeveon Clowney Regardless of His Contract Demands

With a couple of weeks of free agency under our belts, we've seen blockbuster trades and signings left and right. Amid all of the chaos, it's somewhat surprising that former first overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney still hasn't been signed. So many teams have a pressing need for an edge rusher, and yet the three-time Pro-Bowler hasn't found a deal worth taking.

That presents the perfect opportunity for the Indianapolis Colts.

They've already made a couple of big signings and trades, bringing in eight-time Pro Bowler Philip Rivers, cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. After the unfortunate departure of Andrew Luck, Rivers is a good temporary solution at quarterback, especially with the team looking to contend. With the offense somewhat squared away, they need to give Buckner some support on the D-line with Clowney, who is among the best disruptors in the NFL.

The Colts allowed the 10th-most passing yards in the league in 2019. They need a rush, and despite Clowney's injury history, he's still among the best playmakers on the defensive side of the ball in the game. His stats don't exactly pop off the page, but that's because in recent years he's been fighting off double teams as he rushes the quarterback and stuffs the run game.

He's reportedly looking for a big contract, but that shouldn't deter the Colts, who have around $26.8 million in cap space.

With that kind of money and favorable cap situations for years to come, they can easily take this risk and perhaps frontload the deal so it's not hurting them down the road when they owe their younger players money.

There simply isn't a better edge rusher available right now than Clowney and he would return to a division he's very familiar playing in if the Colts bring him aboard.