The Indianapolis Colts are poised to have an active offseason following their disappointing 2019 campaign.
While there are many needs to address on the roster, defensive talent should be among the highest priority.
Soon, talented defensive players will be available in NFL Free agency and the Colts have 86.1 million available to spend according to Spotrac.
The Colts will need to be wise about where they spend that money, but defensive tackle would be a wise investment.
With that being said, there is 1 defensive tackle in particular that will be available in free agency on March 18th.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones is very familiar with a 4-3 scheme that defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus uses.
Jones is known to be very disruptive and a game-changer at the position.
DT Chris Jones is poised to hit free agency💰in March if KC doesn’t apply the franchise tag. He finished 2019 with 20 QB hits, 9 sacks, 8 TFLs and 4 batted passes in 13 regular season games. Elite interior pass rusher.
Take him off the Chiefs, add him to the #Raiders, win-win? pic.twitter.com/CedFVhKMVG
— Kris Wysong (@KrisWysong) February 5, 2020
With the Chiefs having Patrick Mahomes’ contract looming, securing Jones would be tricky for them and they will most likely let him go.
Despite playing in a 3-4 defense to start his career, Jones is known to be best suited as an interior lineman.
Jones enjoyed one of the best years of his career in 2019 as he had 9 sacks, 8 tackles for a loss, and 20 hits on the quarterback.
#Chiefs DI Chris Jones in #SBLIV
• 86.0 Overall (3rd highest for both teams and both sides of the ball, behind Kendall Fuller & Nick Bosa)
• 78.6 Run D
• 74.2 Pass Rush
• 2 Batted Passes (Season High)
📸: Geoff Burke, USA Todayhttps://t.co/eQoKvEmIss#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/0XI7xcxm4W
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) February 4, 2020
He also was among the best performers during the Super Bowl.
If Jones signed with the Colts, it wouldn’t take much for him to become acclimated to Eberflus’s defense.
The Colts general manager Chris Ballard is also familiar with Jones as he was with the Chiefs from 2013-2016.
Ballard was in charge of football operations in 2016, which is the same year the Chiefs selected Jones in the NFL Draft.
Jones is also familiar with Justin Houston of whom the Colts signed last offseason.
Houston and Jones played together from 2016-2018.
They both combined for 46.5 sacks during their time together.
In free agency, fit is very important and Chris Jones could be what just the Colts need to bolster their defensive line.
It most likely would be a seamless transition that could help the Colts defense become among the leagues best in 2020.
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