Davis has been great for the majority of his time with the Colts. Recently his play has dropped slightly, whether that is through injury or age. The question is whether he bounces back or if it is the start of his decline. That will determine any extension offer.

Ballard has said he wants to build this team through the offensive and defensive lines. Mewhort is one of their best players on the o-line and is very versatile. I imagine Ballard tries everything he can to keep him.

I agree, but in Mewhort's case, I would say that if Ballard believes he can be replaced, by anyone on the current roster, then he will get to test free agency.

I also think that we all get way ahead of ourselves trying to predict what will happen 6 to 10 months from now w/regard to the roster.

Injury issues are a concern as well.

I've never taken the time to really think about how other teams in the league value Mewhort.

I'd be a prick if I didn't admit Mewhort should be watched closely this year as well.

Perhaps he isn't a no brainer. You've watched this team longer than I have. Davis is the most talented corner I have seen play for Indianapolis, but I've seen the colts enjoy great success without elite cornerback play.

You have seen that. But that was a whole different system.

And don't get me wrong, I am all about building up the lines. Left guard is probably the last position on the line that I would dump money into. If we bring him back then great. I just think there is a price point I would have no problem saying bye.

When you have a franchise QB, everyone indicates that you need to get weapons for him....i disagree with this, as i think that a top notch QB can make WR's look much better than they really are, Tom Brady has done that for most of his career. I would rather have a really solid offensive line and TE giving him that extra half a second for mediocre receivers to get open. I think a quality running game helps a QB way more than having outstanding receivers, sure having great receivers is the dream, but forcing a defense to have to send extra guys to create a pass rush, creates holes in the defense, or a good running game, makes a defense put 8 men in the box etc, which gives a top quality QB the opportunity to go over the top for the home run.

Assuming Mewhort can stay healthy and plays to the levels he has, or better, then i say it is a no brainer to resign him, especially as we ought to have a fairly healthy salary cap situation again next year. Continuity on the offensive line is also a major thing for good Oline play.

In 2018, the Colts currently have 13 guys who are signed to veteran (5th year and beyond) contracts: Luck, Castonzo, Hilton, Hankins, Sheard, Simon, Doyle, Langford, Woods, Hunt, Locke and Turbin.

In 2018, the Colts currently have 20 guys who are signed to rookie contracts as Colt draftees: Kelly, Dorsett, Green, Anderson, Geathers, Clark, Ridgeway, Parry, Morrison, Good, Haeg, Blythe, Hooker, Wilson, Basham, Banner, Mack, Stewart, Hairston and Walker.

In 2018, the Colts currently have 42 guys who were UDFA or street free agents in the first 4 years of their NFL career: Mount, Bray, McGill, Ferguson, Vujnovich, Morris, Swoope, Sokoli, Jackson, Farley, Milton, Rhodes, Rogers, Smith, Maggitt, Williams, Sanchez, Wiliamson, Cage, Mitchel, Cooper, Leak, Redmond, Hightower, Dainels, Walker, Bond, Radcliff, Thomas, Howard, Crossan, Muller, Ugokwe, Jeter, Griffey, Sickels, Porter, Gibbons, Hester, Lyles, Hennessy, Allie-Cox.

For those keeping track, that means that 62 out of 75 guys currently signed for 2018 have less than 4 years experience in the NFL. Thanks Grigson!

Assuming that the cap rises in 2018 by roughly the same amount it has over the past three years, then the NFL salary cap should be around $174m next year. The 2017 Colts would currently roll upwards of $15m into 2018 of 2017 money and our current 2018 obligations are sitting at $107m, that leaves:

$82.000 million Free Cap Space in 2018

Colts UFAs in 2018 include:

Current Starters:
CB Vontae Davis
OG Jack Mewhort
WR Donte Moncrief
PK Adam Vinatieri
RB Frank Gore
FS Darius Butler

Possible Starters / Possible Quality Depth:
OLB Akeem Ayers
OLB Barkevious Mingo
WR Kamar Aiken
QB Scott Tolzien
ILB Jon Bostic
OG Brian Schwenke
CB Rashaan Melvin

Depth Guys:
DE Lavar Edwards
TE Brandon Williams
CB Darryl Morris

More than enough to re-sign our guys and find a couple of gems in free agency.

Cheers,

grigson had his issues, but at least he didnt leave us in cap hell!

I think he deferred the actual contract constructs to someone else.

Unless these players have setbacks due to injury or performance you
resign them both, even if that means slightly overpaying them. Neither of the units these players represent are brimming with proven talent. Hopefully one
of these days we'll be in the position of NE where BB can put on his accountant's visor and look an incumbent
player in the eye and tell him I'm paying you this and not a penny more,
knowing there is a replacement in the pipeline. We're not there yet. Not even close.