7. John Simon, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
Contract: three-years, $13.5 million
First-year Colts general manager Chris Ballard is definitely doing some work here. He has brought in three veterans in the front seven, including this former Houston Texans pass rusher. Simon, a fourth-round pick of Baltimore back in 2013, has recorded 8.5 sacks in 27 games (12 starts) over the past two seasons in Houston.
The Ohio State product may never each the double-digit sack plateau. He might only be a situational rusher moving forward in his career. That’s perfectly fine. Running a 3-4 scheme, Indy is in need of EDGE pass-rush help. That’s only magnified by the retirement of long-time star Robert Mathis.
Getting Simon for just north of $4 million per season and $5.5 million guaranteed was an absolute steal for Ballard. Add in the acquisitions of Barkevious Mingo and Jabaal Sheard from New England, and Indianapolis suddenly has a deep pass-rush group heading into 2017.