The Colts’ Roster is About to Undergo a Major Overhaul: Three Big Names Could Be Gone Despite Being Under Contract

We are a month away from the NFL’s legal tampering period, which many view as the unofficial start of free agency.

According to Over the Cap, the Indianapolis Colts are currently projected to have $28.2 million in cap space, which ranks 17th most in the NFL. However, they could make three clear moves to add over $20 million before free agency begins.

3 players the Colts could move off of this offseason in order to add cap space

Samson Ebukam, Edge

Samson Ebukam led the Colts in sacks in 2023 with 9.5 in his first year with the team after joining them in free agency. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to build off that success because he tore his Achilles in training camp before the 2024 season began.

He is now due $10.4 million ahead of the 2025 season, but the team can save $7.4 million if they release him. The team has multiple young options at edge rusher in Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye. Dayo Odeyingbo is set to become a free agent, and they will most likely have to choose between retaining Odeyingbo and keeping Ebukam since keeping both seems very unlikely at this point.

Raekwon Davis, DT

The Colts only added two notable outside free agents last offseason. One of which was defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, who signed a two-year $13.97 million contract with the team. Davis was signed to be the primary backup behind Grover Stewart to help improve the team’s run defense when Stewart was off the field.

It didn’t quite work out the way the team had hoped, which makes his future with the team seem very much in question. If he stays with the team in 2025, he is due $8.9 million. The team would save $6.4 million if he is cut because they are on the hook for $2.5 million in dead cap. I highly expect this move to happen at some point during the offseason.

Braden Smith, RT

Longtime Colts starting right tackle Braden Smith has dealt with multiple injuries during his career. But in 2024, he started in each of the team’s first 12 games before he missed the final five due to personal reasons . His play on the field was already rocky in 2024, and the team has a young, promising tackle in Matthew Goncalves, who looked ready to be an NFL starter as a rookie in 2024.

Smith is owed $19.75 million if he is on the Colts roster for the 2025 season. If they elect to release him, they would free up $16.75 million due to them being on the hook for $3 million in dead cap. This would also be the case if Smith were to retire from the NFL this offseason. With this number being so significant, I think it’s definitely one to keep a close eye on over the next month to see what Smith or the team decides on his future in Indianapolis.