Colts' potential free agent target visiting Saints

Kevin Hickey

Colts' potential free agent target visiting Saints image

The Indianapolis Colts have some competition if they want to be in the running for Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons.

While the Colts could find themselves as one of the landing spots for the two-time Pro Bowler, the New Orleans Saints also are throwing their hat into the ring.

According to multiple reports — first from Nick Underhill — the Saints are bringing Simmons in for a visit Wednesday.

There is no denying what Simmons could do for the Colts secondary — a unit with the biggest question marks throughout the entire roster.

While the Colts have a battle at free safety ongoing during training camp between third-year defenders Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II, neither has made much headway in owning the starting role.

Even strong safety Julian Blackmon has taken reps at free safety a few times halfway through training camp.

Simmons would be an instant upgrade even though it might hinder the development of the young safeties. Whether that's worth hindering the development of Cross and Thomas is one of the big decisions to make, especially considering Chris Ballard is extremely bullish on the young secondary.

Since the start of the 2020 season, no player has had more interceptions than Simmons (19). That includes both safeties and cornerbacks. His 36 passes defensed during that span rank second among NFL safeties behind only Jessie Bates III (38), according to Stathead.

The Colts have long been a frugal team when it comes to outside free agents so there certainly is a chance they get outbid for Simmons' services.

Either way, this will be something to monitor over the next week to see if the Saints are the ones to land Simmons.

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Kevin Hickey

Kevin Hickey Photo

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11