The Indianapolis Colts have money to spend this offseason.
According to Spotrac, the Colts have nearly $86 million in cap space.
The top-10 NFL teams in terms of cap space (in millions) via @spotrac:
1. Dolphins $93.5
2. Colts $86.1
3. Bucs $84.9
4. Bills $78.4
5. Giants $77.7
6. Cowboys $71.8
7. Chargers $65.3
8. Browns $65.3
9. Titans $64.1
10. Redskins $61.9https://t.co/T1MiG1rngR— Allan Bell (@AllanBell247) March 14, 2020
With money to spend, the Colts could spend some of their money on a new tight end.
The Colts have already agreed to an extension with Jack Doyle, but Eric Ebron is set to become a free agent.
Doyle is not considered a receiving threat and there are some options on the open market.
1. Austin Hooper-Atlanta Falcons
Austin Hooper is by far the best option.
Hooper could command a salary similar to the likes of Zach Ertz, Kyle Rudolph, or Jordan Reed, who all make between $8-$9 million.
Hooper had career-highs with 75 receptions, 787 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.
TEs with Most Rec. Yards since 2017
Travis Kelce – 3,603
George Kittle – 2,945
Zach Ertz – 2,903
Jared Cook – 2,289
Austin Hooper – 1,973
Evan Engram – 1,766
Rob Gronkowski – 1,766
Eric Ebron – 1,699
Jimmy Graham – 1,603
Kyle Rudolph – 1,533
OJ Howard – 1,456— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 13, 2020
Hooper is 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, and a big target that the Colts could fill with the void of Ebron.
There’s a reason that Hooper has already gained interest from the Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packer, and Chicago Bears.
T.Y. Hilton is a great receiver and could use some help on the frontline.
Hooper is someone that could help.
Before suffering an MCL sprain that cut his season short three games, Hooper was fifth in the league in receptions through the season’s first eight games with 52.
He was only behind Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp, and Julian Edelman.
Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said the Falcons will let Hooper test free agency.
The Colts should look into his services.
2. Tyler Eifert-Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are looking like a franchise that is about to be on a path towards a full rebuild, which means that it would make little sense to keep a 29-year old tight end.
Despite playing for a 1-15 Bengals team, Eifert has 43 receptions for 436 yards and three touchdowns.
Eifert would be a rebuilding project of his own, which makes him very cost-effective.
After a Pro Bowl season in 2015, where Eifert had 13 touchdowns, three straight injury-plagued years followed.
Due to these injuries, from 2016-2018, Eifert only played in a total of 14 games.
In 2016, he played in eight games due to a lingering back issue, and then in 2017, he had surgery for his back.
In 2018, Eifert suffered a broken ankle.
At 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, Eifert would be a twin tower next to the 6-foot-6, 261-pound Doyle.
Free Agent Profile: Tyler Eifert (TE)
Age: 29 H: 6′-6″ W: 255 Spd: 4.68
Exp: 4 Years – 1st Round (21) Pick 2013Career Stats:
59 Games, 185 Receptions, 2,152 Yards, 24 TD’sBig target, potential impact player. Limited production last season and a lot of injury concerns. pic.twitter.com/cixJrdoIlQ
— Offseason Champions (@HTTRChamps) January 28, 2020
3. Vance McDonald-Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are rumored to part ways with Ramon Foster and/or Vance McDonald.
By releasing these veterans, the team could save around $15-20 million in cap space, which is enough to sign star Bud Dupree to the franchise tag.
McDonald had a career year in 2018, finishing with 50 receptions for 610 yards and four touchdowns.
In 2019, his numbers fell to 38 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
However, that was with Mason Rudolph and Delvin Hodges combining to start with Ben Roethlisberger out with an elbow injury.
McDonald would not cost a lot and could bounce back in 2020.
He is just 30 years old with plenty of room in his career to produce if offered a one or two year deal.
Free Agent Profile: Vance McDonald (TE)
Age: 29 H: 6′-4″ W: 267 Spd: 4.69
Exp: 7 Years – 2nd Round (55) Pick 2013Career Stats:
87 Games, 166 Receptions, 1,937 Yards, 15 TD’sLow production last season, struggled blocking and has had injury issues his entire career. pic.twitter.com/comhqPgUkL
— Offseason Champions (@HTTRChamps) January 30, 2020
