Colts add linebacker depth in signing Barkevious Mingo

With free agency starting earlier this afternoon, the Indianapolis Colts took the “wait and see approach”.

With big names flying off the board early like Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore, A.J. Bouye and Calias Campell. All of whom inked new deals shortly after the new year started.

The Colts were patient, and that is exactly how it will be going forward with Chris Ballard.

Ballard signed his first defensive player roughly two hours later according to NFL report Ian Rapoport.

Mingo, was the 6th overall selection by the Cleveland Browns in 2013. However, Mingo never lived up to the hype of being a top 10 pick. After three seasons he was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick.

Barkevious Mingo appeared in all 16 games last season and registered just 9 total tackles and failed to record a sack (first time in his career).

So what does the former high pick bring to the Colts? Depth, and that is about it.

At 6’4″ and 240 pounds, Mingo has the ideal size you would like in a linebacker, but he has failed to produce at the level you would like to see. That is why this deal is for just one year.

Ballard emphasized last week at the combine that he wanted to bring competition to this roster. And that is exactly what this deal is for. Even with a depleted core at linebacker, Mingo will provide competition during training camp next August.

This deal is a low-risk high-reward situation for the Colts. If Mingo can contribute in anyway in rotation this season then this was a great sign. If he cannot even make the final 53 man roster then nothing bad comes out of the small deal either.

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