The Indianapolis Colts may have one fewer good veteran option available in the remaining free agent market when they sign former Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs to a one-year, $3 million contract (with up to an additional $2 million in incentives), according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The 31-year-old Diggs, who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, was a three-time NFL Pro Bowler (2020–22) with the Seattle Seahawks. He just finished his 2023 season with the Seahawks, where he made 17 starts and finished with 95 tackles (63 solo), a tackle for loss, an interception, and five passes defensed.
It’s a bit puzzling that the Colts didn’t sign the still-available Diggs—who signed with an AFC South rival—given the caliber of the player, the team’s continued need at starting safety opposite to Julian Blackmon, and the final cost.
The Titans have improved while the Colts have stayed the same before; earlier in the summer, Tennessee traded for highly sought-after cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, a former member of the Kansas City Chiefs (*although it is debatable whether Indianapolis was truly interested in Sneed). The Colts’ secondary still has some serious holes at safety and cornerback, and the Titans have decided to address both positions.
Apart from selecting Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham in the sixth round of the recent NFL Draft, the Colts have mostly relied on the same set of safety players (with the exception of second-year safety Daniel Scott, who suffered a season-ending injury in minicamp).
Among a group of contenders that includes Nick Cross, Ronnie Harrison Jr., and Rodney Thomas II, the Colts free safety post has been a mystery thus far. No one has emerged victorious in training camp, taking the starting position next to Blackmon. Blackmon himself has even taken starting reps at free safety at this point, so it remains to be seen exactly who will start beside him.
In fairness, Diggs’ season in Seattle the previous year wasn’t all that terrific. With an overall grade of +55.1, he was ranked as their 87th best safety by PFF, eight spots behind Rodney Thomas II, who by all accounts had a very disappointing second season in Indianapolis’ coverage.
After nine NFL seasons, it’s reasonable to wonder if father time has finally caught up with Diggs.
Nevertheless, this appeared to be a good chance for the Colts to add some “veteran insurance” at a fair cost. Something that they have recently failed to accomplish at a number of positions, including wide receiver, right guard, and left tackle, among others, and which has subsequently plagued their seasons in a predictable manner.
Former Denver Broncos All-Pro Justin Simmons is still available in free agency and the Colts might consider signing him in the late offseason. But the question is, can it last much longer? By mid-training camp, NFL teams have a better understanding of their safety situation and may sign the veteran soon as an upgrade.
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