Colts sign big-ticket free agent Johnathan Hankins, adding to defense-heavy offseason
The moves may or may not work out, but at least new Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, unlike his predecessor, recognizes that there are three phases to the game of football and that NFL contests cannot be won with offensive skill players alone.
On Thursday, the Colts announced they had agreed to terms with former Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, the top free agent still on the market. Via NJ.com, Hankins’ deal is for three years and up to $30 million, with $14.5 million guaranteed.
According to the New York Post, the Giants had offered Hankins a four year, $28 million deal.
Hankins, who is just 25-years-old, was a second round pick in 2013, and has developed into a solid player. He started all 16 regular-season games for New York last year, he was credited with 43 total tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. In 2014, the 6-foot-3, 320 pound Michigan native had seven sacks.
And he’s the latest addition to the defense for Ballard, who was hired after Indianapolis fired Ryan Grigson in January. Despite the Colts having a head coach in Chuck Pagano who is a former defensive coordinator, Grigson paid precious little attention to that side of the ball during his five-year tenure.
Since free agency began last month, the Colts have spent $82.5 million on contracts for outside players that play D: Hankins, pass-rusher Jabaal Sheard (three years, $25.5 million, $12.75 million guaranteed), outside linebacker John Simon (three years, $13.5 million, $5.5 million guaranteed), who was taken from rival Houston, defensive tackle Al Woods (two years, $5 million), defensive end Margus Hunt (two years, $4.1 million, $500,000 guaranteed), inside linebacker Sean Spence (one year, $2.5 million, $750,000 guaranteed) and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo (one year, $2 million, $500,000 guaranteed).
Indianapolis also re-signed one of its own, cornerback Darius Butler (one year, $3 million, $2.5 million guaranteed).
The Colts finished 30th in total defense last season, allowing almost 383 yards per game; they also surrendered 392 points (24.5 PPG).
