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The Indianapolis Colts made a second free agent addition at defensive end on Wednesday, signing Micheal Clemons to a three-year, $17 million deal.
So what grade should the Colts get for this move?
Adding Clemons to the mix provides the Colts with needed defensive end depth. Clemons should immediately slot in as a rotational member of this position.
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Clemons doesn't have an abundance of production. The most pressures he's generated in a season is 23, and he has just 8.5 total sacks over four seasons.
However, this addition could still help elevate the Colts' defensive end rotation. At 270 pounds and with the ability to line up inside, Clemons is a clear replacement for Tyquan Lewis, who is a free agent.
According to PFF, Clemons' overall pass rush win rate was 2% higher last season than what Lewis produced. Clemons' pass rush win rate on true pass sets was almost 7% higher than Lewis' was.
So the addition of Clemons could give the Colts' defensive end rotation more pass rush upside compared to last season, when this unit ranked 30th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric.
When evaluating this signing, we also have to look at the contract. Although on the surface this is a three-year deal worth $17 million, the Colts have an out next offseason, where they can save over $4 million in cap space if they were to move on from Clemons.
The only money that the Colts are absolutely on the hook for is the $3 million prorated signing bonus and Clemons' $2.99 million base salary in 2026. Everything else can be evaluated season to season.
PFF: Average
They said it: "Four years into Clemons' NFL career, there is a clear theme. In the two seasons where he played 370 snaps or fewer, he earned PFF overall grades of 65.9 and 78.7. In the two seasons where he played more than that, he logged PFF grades of 50.6 and 59.9. He's at his best in a rotational role, and this deal seems to suggest that's how the Colts will use him."
Colts Wire grade: B-
This feels like a low-ceiling move, and it doesn't solve all of the Colts' needs at defensive end. However, Clemons should provide Indianapolis with an upgrade over Lewis, and if things don't go well this season, the Colts already have a reasonable out in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Grading Colts' Micheal Clemons signing
Continue reading...
So what grade should the Colts get for this move?
Adding Clemons to the mix provides the Colts with needed defensive end depth. Clemons should immediately slot in as a rotational member of this position.
A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Clemons doesn't have an abundance of production. The most pressures he's generated in a season is 23, and he has just 8.5 total sacks over four seasons.
However, this addition could still help elevate the Colts' defensive end rotation. At 270 pounds and with the ability to line up inside, Clemons is a clear replacement for Tyquan Lewis, who is a free agent.
According to PFF, Clemons' overall pass rush win rate was 2% higher last season than what Lewis produced. Clemons' pass rush win rate on true pass sets was almost 7% higher than Lewis' was.
So the addition of Clemons could give the Colts' defensive end rotation more pass rush upside compared to last season, when this unit ranked 30th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric.
When evaluating this signing, we also have to look at the contract. Although on the surface this is a three-year deal worth $17 million, the Colts have an out next offseason, where they can save over $4 million in cap space if they were to move on from Clemons.
The only money that the Colts are absolutely on the hook for is the $3 million prorated signing bonus and Clemons' $2.99 million base salary in 2026. Everything else can be evaluated season to season.
Grading Colts' signing of DE Micheal Clemons
PFF: Average
They said it: "Four years into Clemons' NFL career, there is a clear theme. In the two seasons where he played 370 snaps or fewer, he earned PFF overall grades of 65.9 and 78.7. In the two seasons where he played more than that, he logged PFF grades of 50.6 and 59.9. He's at his best in a rotational role, and this deal seems to suggest that's how the Colts will use him."
Colts Wire grade: B-
This feels like a low-ceiling move, and it doesn't solve all of the Colts' needs at defensive end. However, Clemons should provide Indianapolis with an upgrade over Lewis, and if things don't go well this season, the Colts already have a reasonable out in 2027.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Grading Colts' Micheal Clemons signing
Continue reading...
