Colts Add New Center, Lose Key Lineman in Free Agency Mock Draft
In a recent NFL free agency mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts secured a new starting center while losing one of their most crucial in-house free agents.
Last offseason, the Colts opted to stay mostly away from the free agent market, signing only two backup players. This year, however, they are expected to be more active, as general manager Chris Ballard has committed to making moves.
The Colts have several in-house free agents who are likely to leave this year, and some of those gaps may need to be filled with outside signings.
The NFL free agency period kicks off next week, and CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin took a creative approach, applying the mock draft concept to free agency. “We imagined where some of the best available veterans would go, based on salary cap space, not NFL standings,” Benjamin explained.
In his mock, starting right guard Will Fries, considered by many as the Colts’ top free agent, was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh overall pick. Fries is expected to draw significant attention in free agency.
Since the mock draft’s order was based on salary cap space, the Colts, picking 18th, were assigned center Drew Dalman from the Atlanta Falcons.
“A new center won’t solve their quarterback issues,” Benjamin wrote, “but Dalman has shown consistency, and at 26, he could be a long-term replacement for the aging Ryan Kelly.”
Dalman, who stands 6’3″ and weighs 305 pounds, is one of the top interior linemen available and is a priority for the Falcons to re-sign. Since being drafted by Atlanta in 2021, Dalman has steadily developed into an above-average starter. He became a full-time starter in 2022 and has started the last 40 games. Pro Football Focus ranked him 15th in 2022, third in 2023, and tied for 13th in 2024 among NFL centers.
While Dalman seems like a safe signing, he has missed 11 games over the last two seasons due to ankle injuries.
The Colts’ need for a new center arises as Ryan Kelly is expected to depart, and backups Danny Pinter and Wesley French are also free agents. Rookie Tanor Bortolini could potentially step into the starting role, but in this scenario, Benjamin projects a direct veteran-for-veteran replacement.
The new league year and free agency officially begin next week, with NFL teams able to negotiate contracts starting at noon ET on Monday, March 10. Official signings can begin at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 12.
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