Colts Sign Safety Dwight Lowery

The biggest remaining need for the Indianapolis Colts was a safety, but both general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano said at the owner's meetings a few weeks ago that there were still free agent safeties available that they liked.

One such safety is Dwight Lowery, who the team had in for a visit earlier this week.  And tonight, the Colts announced that they have agreed to terms with Lowery.

The 29-year old safety is entering his eighth season in the NFL.  He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2008 draft and spent the first three seasons of his career with New York before he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.  He was placed on injured reserve in both 2012 and 2013, however, and therefore wound up playing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014.  Last year, he started 15 games (playing in all 16) and notched 79 tackles, a sack, five passes defensed, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.  In his career, Lowery has appeared in 82 games (starting 54) and recorded 259 tackles, four sacks, 50 passes defensed, 12 interceptions (two touchdowns) and seven forced fumbles.

At this point in free agency there always must be cautious optimism with free agent signings, but considering the need at the position and the fact that Lowery is probably the best-caliber of safety available at this point, this seems like a very good signing for Indy.  While there's still a long way to go this offseason and then in to training camp, it would seem as if Lowery is now the most likely option to start at safety alongside Mike Adams.