INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts head into the offseason with 12 free agents. We’re going to take a look at each free agent and the odds of each player returning.
Quarterbacks
Key stat: 156-of-256 passing for 1,690 yards and 9 TDs
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 3. Hasselbeck was 5-3 as a starter, including wins in each of his first four starts, but he’s 40 years old and he hasn’t decided if he plans to continue playing. The Colts could go with a younger backup behind starter Andrew Luck after they signed Ryan Lindley and Josh Freeman for their Week 17 game against Tennessee.
Key stat: 16-of-32 passing for 150 yards
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 1. The Colts claimed Whitehurst off of waivers from Tennessee to back up Hasselbeck late in the season. Whitehurst is a third-string quarterback. The Colts need better playing behind Luck.
Running back
Key stat: 31 rushes for 85 yards, 10 receptions for 64 yards
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 5. All three of Bradshaw’s seasons with the Colts ended early due to injury. You have to think the Colts will stop giving him a shot at some point. You can never count out Bradshaw, though, because he always finds a way to get healthy.
Tight end
Key stat: 16 receptions on 29 targets for 109 yards
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 4. Offensive line problems didn’t allow Allen to be much of a factor in the passing game because the Colts needed him to be an extra blocker. It wouldn’t be surprising if Allen signs with another team that can use him as an extra blocker and make sure he’s part of the passing game.
Key stat: 54 receptions for 491 yards and three touchdowns
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 7. Fleener was the pass-catching tight end for the Colts. Another difference between Fleener and Allen is that Fleener missed only four games in the first four years of career. Allen missed 21 games.
Offensive lineman
Key stat: 3 starts
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 1. It’s not good when you’re benched after the first two weeks of the season and you’re inactive five times on an offensive line that wasn’t good.
Defensive line
Key stat: 14 tackles and two fumble recoveries
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 5. Winn moved into the starting lineup after rookie Henry Anderson suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 9. Winn’s season ended five weeks later with a torn rotator cuff.
Linebacker
Key stat: 112 tackles, 3.0 sacks, one interception, one touchdown
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 7. This number would likely be lower if the Colts had a replacement for Freeman on the roster, but Nate Irving (injuries) and Sio Moore (lack of production) didn’t do enough during the season to prove that one of them is ready to move into the starting lineup.
Cornerback
Key stat: 51 tackles and 10 passes defended
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 3. Injuries -- a common theme during two of his three seasons -- and poor play this season combine to make the odds of Toler returning next season pretty slim.
Safety
Key stat: 76 tackles and four interceptions
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 6. Lowery exceeded expectations in his first season with the Colts. What could keep the Colts from re-signing Lowery is that they may be ready to move rookie safety Clayton Geathers into the starting lineup next season.
Key stat: 17 tackles
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 6. Anderson has been one of the Colts’ special-team aces during his two seasons with the team. He also started a game at safety in place of the injured Mike Adams last season.
Kicker
Key stat: 25-of-27 on field goals
Likelihood to return scale (1-10): 9. Vinatieri is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 43. He was 25-of-27 on field goals and he said he’s open to continuing his career as long as he feels like he can produce. It was evident that he still could last season.