Indianapolis Colts: Eric Ebron, Ryan Grant free agent grades

The Indianapolis Colts signed tight end Eric Ebron and wide receiver Ryan Grant in free agency. We grade the signings and give our thoughts on the fit…

The Indianapolis Colts were somewhat shockingly inactive in the first wave of free agency, but have rebounded in the second week of activity by making a couple of solid moves to their offensive weaponry.

With Andrew Luck expected back this season (we hope), the Colts have begun surrounding him with some more talent, starting with recently released tight end Eric Ebron of the Detroit Lions and wide receiver Ryan Grant of the Washington Redskins.

If Luck is back at full strength, obviously the impact of these moves is far greater. Luck will elevate the play of the guys around him, and I actually like these two players better than what the Colts had last season, so let’s take a look into these moves and give them some preliminary grades.

Eric Ebron signing grade: A

First of all, I love this signing by the Colts, who go out and get a big pass catching tight end with speed and athletic ability, and a player who is going to be really motivated to turn things around at his second NFL stop.

After being picked in the first round by the Detroit Lions, Ebron failed to reach the level of expectation everyone had for him, but after trade rumors during last season, he seemed to really turn it up and turn it on.

Ebron scored three of his four touchdowns last season after the NFL’s trade deadline, and caught 35 of his 53 passes last season after week eight. He apparently took the trade rumors to heart, and I think that could be a sign of what is to come for him.

Working with the Colts and in an offense led by Frank Reich, I have no doubt that Ebron will play a significant role. I like this move for the money as well, as the Colts gave him two years and a contract worth a total of just $15 million. That’s more than a fair price for a 24 year old tight end who has already racked up 186 career receptions, even if he has had problems with drops.

I think this was a great move by Indy.

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Ryan Grant signing grade: B+

The Colts ended up sneaking into the conversation with Ryan Grant after he had actually agreed to a multi-year, big money contract with the Baltimore Ravens. When the Ravens found out the Oakland Raiders were going to be releasing Michael Crabtree, they suspiciously failed Grant on his physical.

Grant is coming off of the best year of his career where he caught 45 passes for 573 yards with four touchdowns, proving himself a very valuable piece in the Redskins’ passing game.

Now with an elevated role (presumably) with the Colts, I think we could see Grant break out even further, perhaps reaching double digit touchdown totals.

That is, of course, if Luck can stay healthy.

The only reason this signing grade isn’t an ‘A’ is because I would have loved to have seen the Colts get Grant for at least a couple of seasons at this kind of a price (one year, $5 million). I think they did well to scoop him up when the Ravens failed him on his physical, but if they could have gotten him for two or three years at this price it would have been even better.

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