The Indianapolis Colts have done a good job filling some of the major holes on their roster that they came into the offseason with. Acquiring Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons after trading Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders was their biggest upgrade of the offseason, filling the biggest need.

While the need remains for a left tackle and the team could use some more talent at the wide receiver position, they did fill another one of their needs last week. The Colts agreed to terms with cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was one of the best free agents in this year’s class and was arguably the best remaining player in free agency.

Gilmore played eight games with the Carolina Panthers last season following a trade from the New England Patriots. He was looking for a new contract, but New England wasn’t willing to work out a deal. As a result, Gilmore was sent to the Panthers while rehabbing from thigh and knee injuries.

He showed that he still has plenty left in the tank, playing well in Carolina despite the team not winning many games. Gilmore will now sit atop a Colts’ depth chart at cornerback for a defense that needed help at the position. Indianapolis traded Rock Ya-Sin to the Las Vegas Raiders to acquire pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue and Xavier Rhodes remains a free agent.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed while on the Pat McAfee Show that when it was reported a visit to the Colts was on the docket for Gilmore, he was pretty sure that a deal was in place and he was going to sign the paperwork.

This is a great signing for the Colts, who could be looked at as a Super Bowl dark horse with the moves they have made this offseason. Ryan is a major upgrade at the quarterback position and had it not been for a late-season swoon from Wentz, the team may have made the postseason.

A left tackle should be next on the docket for Indianapolis this offseason. Without a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, they likely won’t find a plug-and-play left tackle with their selections. 

Bringing in a veteran to man the position for this season and using their draft capital to upgrade the wide receiver room would be a good plan of attack for a Colts team looking to make some noise during the 2022 season.