After hiring Lou Anarumo as their coordinator, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to strengthen their defense this offseason. One potential move could be signing linebacker Dre Greenlaw, with PFF identifying Indianapolis as a top destination for the San Francisco 49ers’ free agent:
“The Colts had a top-10 graded defense in 2024, largely due to Zaire Franklin’s strong play in the middle. However, the linebacker coverage could be improved, as both Franklin and E.J. Speed (a free agent this offseason) had coverage grades below 48.0. Adding Greenlaw to the mix would significantly improve the defense, as he earned 82.6 and 79.5 coverage grades in his last two full seasons.”
The Colts need more consistent and higher-level play from their linebackers in 2025—could Dre Greenlaw be the solution?
The Indianapolis Colts Were Listed as a Landing Spot for Free Agent Dre Greenlaw
His Career Thus Far
Dre Greenlaw spent four years playing college football at Arkansas, where he accumulated 320 tackles (15 for loss), four sacks, three interceptions, and four forced fumbles.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Greenlaw in the fifth round. He had a strong rookie season, tallying 92 tackles, two pass deflections, one sack, and an interception. For his performance, Greenlaw earned a spot on the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. That year, the 49ers made it to the Super Bowl but lost 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs, with Greenlaw contributing four tackles.
In 2023, Greenlaw started 15 games and posted 120 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and four passes defended. The 49ers again reached the Super Bowl, facing the Chiefs, but Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles during the game, and San Francisco lost 25-22.
After recovering from the Achilles injury, Greenlaw played just two games the following season, recording nine tackles (three solo) for the injury-ridden 49ers.
Should the Colts Sign Him?
Zaire Franklin of the Colts has risen to become one of the NFL’s top linebackers, with the 2024 season marking his most accomplished year yet. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named a Second-Team All-Pro while leading the league in tackles with 173.
However, Franklin’s linebacker partner, E.J. Speed, is set to become a free agent this offseason. If the Colts decide not to re-sign Speed, Dre Greenlaw could be a strong replacement, but only if he can stay healthy.
Grant Cohn of SI.com discussed the possibility of the 49ers bringing Greenlaw back on a one-year deal, pointing out that while Greenlaw is one of the league’s top linebackers when healthy, his inability to stay healthy—he missed time this season and will turn 28 in May—raises concerns about his durability.
The idea of a one-year contract reflects these concerns, suggesting that the Colts should reconsider signing Greenlaw. His injury history makes him too risky, even though he is an elite linebacker when fully fit.
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