“The Indianapolis Colts’ 2024 season has officially wrapped up. After a disappointing campaign, the team now heads into a crucial offseason aimed at getting the franchise back on track. One of the first major decisions they’ll need to make is determining which of their own free agents to bring back.
With 18 players set to hit unrestricted free agency when the NFL year ends, it’s time to evaluate their futures. So today, we’re putting a fun twist on the decision-making process—playing a game of ‘swipe left (no) or swipe right (yes)’ with the Colts’ pending free agents, inspired by a well-known dating app.”
Center Ryan Kelly – Swipe Left
“Since being drafted in 2016, Ryan Kelly has been nothing short of exceptional. For most of his NFL career, he has ranked among the league’s top five centers, earning four Pro Bowl selections and a Second-Team All-Pro honor. However, over the past two seasons, his performance has begun to decline.
With the Colts selecting Tanor Bortolini last year, they may already have Kelly’s successor. In limited snaps, Bortolini showed enough promise to suggest he is more than capable of stepping into the starting center role, making it possible for Indianapolis to move on from Kelly.”
Tight End Mo Alie-Cox – Swipe Left
“The Colts’ tight end group in 2024 was a complete disappointment, with no player standing out in any phase of the game. As a result, the offense struggled, lacking a key playmaker at the position.
Mo Alie-Cox has been the team’s starting tight end in recent years, primarily valued for his blocking in the run game. However, his overall contributions aren’t significant enough to justify a new contract. Both his blocking and receiving abilities can be easily replaced by a younger, more affordable option.”
Quarterback Joe Flacco – Swipe Left
“Joe Flacco was initially brought in as Anthony Richardson’s backup, but after a turbulent 2024 season, he ended up starting multiple games. While he proved useful when called upon, the Colts need true competition in the quarterback room—not a 39-year-old nearing the end of his career.”
Linebacker E.J Speed – Swipe Left
“E.J. Speed went from an under-the-radar draft prospect in 2019 to a full-time starting linebacker for the Colts in 2023. He stepped into the role and posted back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.
However, Speed has been inconsistent, struggling with missed tackles, coverage issues, and getting overpowered by offensive linemen in the run game. While the Colts need linebacker help, re-signing Speed wouldn’t be the right move.”
Safety Julian Blackmon – Swipe Right
“The Colts’ current safety group for 2025 consists of Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Daniel Scott. Cross is locked in as the starting strong safety, Thomas is best suited for a special teams role, and Scott is coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries.
Indianapolis is in desperate need of help at safety. Re-signing Julian Blackmon would be a step in the right direction—not as a starter, but as a veteran presence in the room and a versatile backup option.”
Wide Receiver Ashton Dulin – Swipe Right
Ashton Dulin is a low cost wide receiver who knows the offense well enough to step in when needed to and is an absolute stud gunner on special teams. It makes all the sense in the world to re-sign him providing the cost is still low.
Defensive Tackle Taven Bryan – Swipe Left
Taven Bryan signed for the Colts during the 2023 off-season and then was re-signed to another one year deal last year. The Taven Bryan experience has been full of way more lows than highs and it’s time for the Colts to move on and look elsewhere for interior defensive line depth.
Defensive End Dayo Odeyingbo – Swipe Right
Dayo Odeyingbo started his Colts career off being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft despite being still in the process of returning from a torn Achilles pre-draft. Odeyingbo has steadily improved over his four year career, which peaked in 2023 when he had a breakout year producing 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 38 tackles and 9 tackles for loss. His versatility gives the Colts a lot to work with and he certainly deserves a second contact in Indianapolis.
Center Danny Pinter – Swipe Right
Danny Pinter is another former Colts draft pick, he re-signed on a one year deal last year after coming to the end of his rookie contract. Pinter is a hardworking versatile offensive lineman who can start in a pinch at multiple positions. Teams need guts like Pinter and if the Colts plan on letting Kelly leave re-signing Pinter is an important move.
Tight End Kylen Granson – Swipe Left
The Colts tight end room might as well not have existed in 2024, stats prove it was close to being non-existent. No one tight end stood out or even showed anything close to a spark during the season. Granson was drafted to be the receiving tight end who could be moved around the line, he had shown nothing close to being a consistent contributor apart from in his drops.
Offensive Guard Will Fries – Swipe Right
Will Fries is probably the most important Colts free agent this offseason. He broke his leg during the season and the Colts could not replace him in the line up. With a big year in terms of transition along the offensive line it is paramount the Colts lock up one of their best young offensive linemen in Fries to a new contract. It is looking to be potentially less expensive since the injury but he rightfully deserves a good pay day.
Running Back Trey Sermon – Swipe Left
Sermon was brought in to spell Jonathan Taylor so he could be fresh when the team needed him most. Sermon was a below average running back with solid pass blocking and showed little as a receiver. There are better back up running backs in the league than Sermon and the Colts should look to add one of those instead.
Safety Ronnie Harrison, Offensive Guard Mark Glowinski, Cornerback David Long, Wide Receiver Juwann Winfree and Quarterback Sam Ehlinger – Swipe Left
“Harrison, a converted safety turned linebacker, has been below average and should be easily replaced.
Glowinski is a reliable offensive lineman, but the Colts shouldn’t prioritize re-signing him now or during free agency. If he’s still available after training camp and they need depth, then he could be an option.
Long and Winfree are nothing more than camp bodies at best.
Ehlinger is a solid backup, but the team needs real competition at the position—not just a clipboard holder.”
