Pro Football Focus suggested one last offseason move that the Indianapolis Colts need to make.
Roster building at this stage of the offseason is pretty much complete for the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL. However, Pro Football Focus recently highlighted one more move that the Colts should make.
Mason Cameron recently went through all 32 teams and identified one last offseason addition he thinks should be made. When it came to the Colts, Cameron’s choice was trading for Cincinnati Bengals‘ linebacker Germaine Pratt, who is obviously very familiar with Lou Anarumo and his defensive scheme.
“The veteran linebacker is technically still under contract, but the writing is on the wall that he will be cut or traded this summer,” wrote Cameron. “The price to trade for Pratt would likely be minimal, or the Colts could take their chances following his release. While Pratt’s modest grading profile (60.5 PFF overall grade in 2024) doesn’t excite, his knowledge of Anarumo’s scheme should.”
Pratt requested a trade from the Bengals back in February but still remains on the team–for now. In this year’s draft, the Bengals used a second and fourth-round pick on the linebacker position.
For one, having Pratt, who played his entire career up to this point under Anarumo, would be beneficial when it comes to implementing this new system, given his extreme familiarity with it.
But in addition to that, linebacker depth is still a question mark on this Colts’ roster. Zaire Franklin recently underwent surgery, and the team is “hopeful” he can be ready to return by the start of training camp.
Not having Franklin for this short time highlights the lack of depth that the Colts have here, with Jaylon Carlies having played just over 200 career snaps and Segun Olubi having fewer than 150 defensive snaps.
It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to have some competition for Carlies when it comes to that starting spot next to Franklin, again, given his relative lack of experience.
Pratt was a defensive captain in Cincinnati. According to Tom Pelissero, Pratt ranked top 10 in tackles last season and was one of only three players with 140 or more tackles and six or more turnover plays.
In addition to totaling all those tackles, Pratt has been a reliable tackler and has accumulated 22 quarterback pressures as well over the last two seasons combined.
In coverage over his career, he has held pass catchers to 9.6 yards per reception and has generated eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups. Although by PFF’s metrics, Pratt’s coverage numbers–completion rate, yards per catch, and passer rating allowed–have all gradually taken a step back in recent years.
If the Colts do have interest in Pratt, waiting for him to be released rather than trading for him would seem to be the prudent move. That way, Indianapolis doesn’t have to give up a future draft pick or inherit the final year of Pratt’s deal, which comes with a $5.25 million base salary.
There is some risk in this approach because then any team can sign him, but I would guess that with Anarumo calling plays, the Colts would have an advantage over others.