INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have 13 unrestricted free agents: quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, receiver Reggie Wayne, receiver Hakeem Nicks, offensive lineman Joe Reitz, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive lineman Cory Redding, defensive lineman Fili Moala, linebacker Andy Studebaker, cornerback Josh Gordy, cornerback Darius Butler, safety Sergio Brown, safety Mike Adams and safety Colt Anderson.
Moala, Studebaker and Gordy are probably the longshots to return. So with that said, we'll rank the Colts' top-10 free agents based on priority to re-sign them.
Anderson and Bradshaw were Nos. 10 and 9 on the list. Hasselbeck and Nicks were Nos. 8 and 7. Wayne and Reitz were Nos. 6 and 5. Redding and Brown were Nos. 4 and 3.
2. CB Darius Butler
Stats: 14 games, 46 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 9 passes defended
Note: Butler's importance with the Colts is defending the opposing team's slot receiver. Butler would start on the outside if starting cornerbacks Vontae Davis or Greg Toler didn't play, but he would slide to the slot receiver, with Josh Gordy playing on the outside, once the opponent used three receivers. Butler wasn't successful in the interception department last season. He didn't have an interception for the first time since the 2011 season when he played with the Carolina Panthers.
1. S Mike Adams
Stats: 16 games, 87 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions, 11 passes defended
Note: Adams saved the Colts at safety when he signed with them during the middle of their mandatory three-day minicamp last June. He filled the void left by Antoine Bethea and provided leadership that LaRon Landry didn't give them. Adams also helped Sergio Brown out when he moved into the starting lineup after Landry was suspended for four games for using performance-enhancing drugs. Adams led the defense in snaps played and was fifth overall on the team in that category. The Colts have uncertainty at safety because they don't have a young player on the roster waiting to step into the starting lineup and there's no guarantee Landry will be back next season after two sub-par seasons with the team. That's why re-signing Adams should be near the top of list for the Colts.
