A Number of Potential Big-Name Free Agent Targets Already Off the Board for the Colts

Free agency has yet to start, and already a number of potential targets for the Colts are off the board.

Over the past week, we've either heard reports linking the Colts to these players or a number of fans have wanted the Colts to target these players, but a number of them are already off the board before free agency begins.  Here are a few of the most notable ones:

Ndamukong Suh

Suh is reportedly heading to the Dolphins (who were considered to be the frontrunner) on what is reportedly a six-year, $114 million deal with $60 million guaranteed.  He's the best player who is set to become a free agent, but it sounds like he has already reached a deal before the period even begins.  He would have been a huge addition for the Colts along their defensive line, but he would have also costed a lot of money, so it's probably a good thing for the Colts that Suh is in Miami.  That does mean that the Colts will be facing him this year, but it also means that the Patriots will be facing him twice.  So that's good news.

Devin McCourty

If there was one free agent that I really wanted the Colts to target, it was Devin McCourty.  The Patriots safety was set to hit the open market tomorrow before agreeing on a deal to return to New England.  He would have been a game-changer in the secondary for Indianapolis and would have taken a player away from the Patriots, so that would have been a double-win.  According to the reports that surfaced this weekend, however, it doesn't sound like the Colts were ever pursuing McCourty a ton, though it was still early in the process when he was inked to return to the Patriots.

Frank Gore

For a couple of months now we've been following the Frank Gore to the Colts storyline, and even yesterday there were reports of mutual interest between the sides.  But the longtime running back is reportedly heading to the Philadelphia Eagles.  It's a deal that is reportedly worth around $5 million a year with $7.5 million guaranteed in the first two years of the deal.  The signing doesn't make a ton of sense for either side, but it would have for the Colts, as despite Gore's age he can still be a good running back - something the Colts really need.

Pernell McPhee

The Ravens pass rusher has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bears on a 5-year, $40 million deal with $16 million guaranteed.  The Colts had been strongly linked to him over the past month, though it's not certain just how interested they actually were.  For a team needing pass rush help, having the cap room, and a connection to McPhee in Chuck Pagano it made sense, but McPhee is instead heading to Chicago.  And I think that's ok with most Colts fans, considering the contract.

Jeremy Maclin

The Colts are in the market for a veteran wide receiver, and there were unconfirmed rumors that they might have interest in Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles wide receiver.  I don't think the interest was ever that great, but either way, Maclin is off the market now.  He will reunite with his former coach Andy Reid in Kansas City and will reportedly get $11 million per year.  The Colts, meanwhile, will be able to find someone much cheaper at the position if they wish - possibly even Andre Johnson, if/when he's released.

While a number of potential Colts targets are off the board, have patience.  The Colts haven't lost free agency yet, as it hasn't even started.  Wait and see, and hope that perhaps finally Ryan Grigson has learned to not vastly overpay a free agent like he has in the past few years.