Nearly two weeks into free agency, the news on the former Colts players on the free-agent market has been slower than many expected.

Don’t take that a knock on the players’ ability.

And don’t take their current absence from the Colts’ roster as meaning they definitely won’t be back.

I spoke this afternoon with my former colleague, Pete Prisco, of CBS Sports. Pete knows the NFL nationally as well as anyone, and has a keen idea for talent. He thinks the biggest surprise of free agency is former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich not receiving any play at all on the free-agent market. I don’t disagree. Leftwich for some reason has become persona non grata in NFL front offices, which is ridiculous. He can play, and deserves a chance to compete for a starting job somewhere. I always thought Leftwich would fit well in the Colts’ system. He’s not mobile, but the Colts emphasize protecting the passer as a first priority in the offense, and Leftwich can make throws and is a classic dropback passer. Realistically, the Colts and Leftwich aren’t a fit because Leftwich still wants to compete for a starting  job and even if he didn’t, the Colts like backup Jim Sorgi. But Leftwich can still play and be productive in the right scheme.

The reason I mentioned Pete is I asked him why it seems mid-level free agents such as Dominic Rhodes and Freddy Keiaho have gotten so little play on the market. His reply was interesting and made a lot of sense, that teams have spent big early on big-time free agents so teams are waiting until the market drops to realistic numbers to sign mid-range guys. The early days of free agency were wild and careless as usual. Now that the money’s drying up, a mid-range guy or two will set the market going forward and some of the available guys will start getting signed.

With that, a look at Colts players currently on the market:

1) Dominic Rhodes, running back. Logically, this is the player who seems most likely to return. He’s a a perfect fit for the Colts’ system. They like him and I doubt he really wants to play anywhere else. He spent a year in Oakland (2007) and talked often last season of how happy he was to be back in Indy. And with Dominic, it wasn’t just talk. He’s not a guy who says the “right things” for the sake of saying them. He thinks of Indy as home, loves playing football and loves playing with his Colts teammates. It’s hard to imagine him not wanting to return. Here’s hoping he does.

2) Freddy Keiaho, linebacker. He started for the Colts last season and there are those who believed he was the team’s best linebacker when healthy. He was more consistent last season than in his first season as a starter, and as a restricted free agent, some observers are surprised he wasn’t at least offered a tender to stay. ESPN’s John Clayton wrote this week that there is a good chance the Colts will lose Keiaho. Clayton is probably right on that one. If they really wanted to keep him, it seems they likely would have tendered him. Keiaho visited Buffalo early in free agency, but the news has been quiet since.

3) Tyjuan Hagler, linebacker. He’s another guy the Colts like and injuries have been an issue in fouf seasons. Clayton wrote there is a chance they can get Hagler back. Right now, the Colts are leaning to a combination of second-year vet Philip Wheeler/Gary Brackett/Clint Session at linebacker, with the exact positions undecided. If they can get Hagler back, it would give them a versatile guy who has played all three spots.

4) Marvin Harrison, wide receiver. The Colts released the eight-time Pro Bowl selection two weeks ago, and after a flurry of early stories speculating about a probably destination — Philadelphia, Atlanta — the buzz has waned. Harrison likely will play somewhere next season, but apparently at a very low salary.

5) Hunter Smith, punter. Smith is still one of the better punters in the NFL at pinning opponents deep in their territory. He’s entering his 11th season, is a good athlete and the Colts like how he fits into the locker room. It’s hard to tell the odds on him returning, but it’s probably a possibility. If they get a punter in the draft or collegiate free agency, they could get younger and save money and cap space. If they don’t, there’s little negative about bringing him back.

6) Josh Thomas, defensive end. A solid reserve for five seasons, he re-signed with the Colts for a year last offseason. As is the case with Smith, he could be brought back if the situation is right.

7) Matt Giordano, safety. He was a solid backup for four years, but the Colts have maybe the best trio of safeties in the NFL in Bob Sanders, Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt. Giordano can play, though, and if some team brings him in at the right price, they might have a bargain.

Keiwan Ratliff, cornerback. He came up big late last season, but the Colts released him multiple times before that. The likely approach is to try to get younger at the spot and if a need arises, they may give him another look.

 

Ed.’s Note: What Colts free agent do you most want to see return? Why? IFR would like to hear from you. Leave a comment.