INDIANAPOLIS – The major news came early and with hefty price tags.
There was cornerback Charvarius Ward, who relocated from San Francisco to Indy with the most lucrative free-agent contract ever given out by Colts general manager Chris Ballard: three-years, $60 million, roughly $35 million guaranteed.
Then there was safety Cam Bynum, who left the Minnesota Vikings behind when the Colts offered a four-year, $60 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
And let’s not forget the one-year, $14 million ($13.17 million guaranteed) for veteran quarterback Daniel Jones.
Ballard promised an altered, aggressive approach to free agency and followed through.
But as consequential as those three acquisitions need to be, the Colts weren’t finished.
Massive moves were followed by less flashy ones that should impact whether the Colts are able to break a four-year playoff drought and challenge the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
Reliable depth is always a concern in the NFL’s war of attrition.
Last season, only five Colts started all 17 games: left guard Quenton Nelson, who’s started 53 straight and missed just 12 of 3,386 snaps during that ironman stretch; linebacker Zaire Franklin, strong safety Nick Cross, cornerback Jaylon Jones and defensive tackle Grover Stewart. Free safety Julian Blackson started 16 while defensive end Kwity Paye and cornerback Kenny Moore II started 15.
Coach Shane Steichen and his staff used 41 different starters and just 17 players were available for every game.
Legitimate depth can be downplayed until it’s needed.
That in mind, here are some of the personnel moves that probably didn’t move the needle on the NFL radar but shouldn’t be ignored.
DT Neville Gallimore
Contract: 1 year, $1.97 million.
Age: 28.
NFL entry: 3rd-round pick of Dallas in 2020.
Experience: In five seasons with the Cowboys and Rams, Gallimore played in 66 games and 18 starts. Gallimore also played in five playoff games, including two with the Rams last season. Gallimore was a factor for the Rams with 2.5 sacks and two tackles in a first-round win at Minnesota and a second-round loss at Philadelphia.
Projected impact: Ballard never will ignore the offensive and defensive lines, but needs Gallimore to be dramatically better than Raekwon Davis, a free-agent acquisition last offseason (a two-year, $14 million deal with $7 million guaranteed). Davis was released in March after being a non-factor in 17 appearances.
The 6-2, 315-pound Gallimore represents a veteran interior presence who might be more comfortable as DeForest Buckner’s backup at the 3-technique but should also be effective whenever Grover Stewart needs a break.
Gallimore: “Ultimately, sometimes your job is you do what’s asked of you. Sometimes you’ve got to be a jack of all trades. I feel like what I brought in the playoffs, I’m looking to expand on that and to bring that coming out through the start of the season and to carry it forward. I was given an opportunity to contribute and make impactful plays, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing here. But obviously, the main thing is I’m looking forward to helping with an already solid d-line. I’m coming here to make this d-line better, make this team better and obviously just to add to what they’ve already built.”
RB Khalil Herbert
Contract: 1 year, $1.97 million.
Age: 26.
NFL entry: 6th-round pick of Chicago in 2021.
Experience: Herbert has rushed for 1,905 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per attempt in three-plus seasons with the Bears and a half-season with the Bengals. Herbert played in 56 games with 13 starts.
Projected impact: Ballard has sought a Zack Moss-type backup for Jonathan Taylor, and Herbert gets the first shot at filling that role. Taylor led the NFL last season with a career-high 21.6 attempts per game – that’s the highest by a Colt since Edgerrin James’ 24.0 in 2005 – and while he’ll remain the focal point of the run game, a reliable No. 2 is required.
Herbert was a viable part of the Bears’ run game from 2021-23 with 1,775 yards and eight TDs in 42 games before they decided to go in another direction at the position and traded him to the Bengals last November. The 5-9, 212-pounder will have to show the ability to pass protect and contribute in the pass game.
Herbert: “Just come in here, trying to learn, trying to help. Being available, being a guy that can carry the load if something were to happen.’’
WR Ashton Dulin
Contract: Reupped with a 2-year contract worth a maximum of $8.5 million.
Age: 27.
NFL entry: Undrafted rookie with the Colts in 2019.
Experience: Dulin played in 70 games with five starts. Dulin has developed into a core special teams standout for the Colts and was second-team All-Pro in 2021. But he also has provided an occasional spark on offense with 35 receptions, 517 yards and four TDs. His two catches in ’24 included a 54-yard catch-and-run TD in the opener against Houston.
Projected impact: Dulin’s special teams’ value shouldn’t be casually dismissed. His 10 tackles led the unit last season, and he earned All-Pro honors in ’21 on the strength of 17 special-teams tackles. Dulin also offers return possibilities.
Dulin on always wanting to do more: “That’s a great way to put it, being able to do my role and then a little bit more, I guess, can always benefit you. I would say the cliché is the more you can do, the better. So for me, that’s just kind of the way I approach it, is knowing my role, but also knowing there’s more I can do, and if they need me somewhere else, I’m able to do that.”
CB Corey Ballentine
Age: 28.
Contract: 1 year, $1.97 million.
NFL Entry: 6th-round pick of New York Giants in 2019.
Experience: Ballentine played in 69 games and had 11 starts with the Giants, Jets, Lions and Packers.
Projected impact: Ballentine’s addition bolsters both the secondary and special teams. He started six games in Green Bay in 2023, then appeared in the Packers’ two playoff games. In his career, Ballentine has been on the field for 986 defensive snaps and 841 special teams snaps. He’s handled at least 50% of his team’s special teams snaps in four of six seasons and has kick-return experience with 37 returns, 876 yards and a 23.7 average. Ballentine is reunited with defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who held a similar role from 2020 until joining Indy this offseason.
Ballentine: “I think I bring physicality. I think I bring experience. I’m going on year seven and I like to compete. So, I’m looking forward to helping in whichever way I can. I’ve also kick returned for a long time. I feel like I could do a lot of things, not just one thing. So, I’m looking forward to helping any way I can.”
OL Danny Pinter
Age: 28
Contract: 1 year, $1.5 million.
NFL entry: 5th-round pick of Colts in 2020. Product of Ball State and South Bend Adams High School.
Experience: Pinter has started nine games and has played in 60 games.
Projected impact: O-line depth is invaluable and Pinter has experience at guard and center. His best position probably is the latter. He appeared in 14 games last season and started twice at center when Ryan Kelly was out with an injury.
Pinter: “I love it here. Obviously being an Indiana guy my whole life, that plays into it. But I just love, especially in the o-line room, must the culture we’ve got there, the guys we’ve got there. I love playing for Tony (Sparano Jr.). I love playing for Chris (Watt). Both have made me a lot better. We had other opportunities, but being back here means a lot to me. I want to be a part of making things right here.’’
OL Wesley French
Age: 28.
Contract: 1 year, $1.05 million.
NFL entry: Undrafted rookie with Colts in 2022.
Experience: French has played in 17 games and has had three starts, all at center in 2023. French missed last season with a foot injury.
Projected impact: French’s familiarity with Sparano’s system should serve him well as he attempts to earn a roster spot. The objective is to go into the season with nine or 10 trusted players in the O-line room.
CB David Long Jr.
Age: 27.
Contract: 1 year, $1.17 million.
NFL entry: 3rd-round pick of the Rams in 2019.
Experience: Long has started 12 games and has played in 79 games. Long appeared in 13 games with the Colts last season with nine snaps on defense and 106 on special teams.
Projected impact: Long undoubtedly faces an uphill battle to earn a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.