Grading Colts' free agent signings of Jonathan Owens, Juanyeh Thomas

On Friday afternoon, the Indianapolis Colts signed a pair of safeties, acquiring free agents Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens.

Let's grade these additions.

Thomas joins the Colts after spending his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He went undrafted in 2022 out of Georgia Tech.

Thomas' role within the Dallas defense seemed to be expanding last season, but he missed the second half of the season due to injury.

He's played just 549 career snaps on defense, per PFF, but has flashed in coverage, which includes being targeted only three times last season on 156 coverage snaps. Thomas also generated four career pass breakups on only 21 targets.

Up to this point in his career, Thomas' greatest contributions have come on special teams, where he's played over 700 snaps the previous three seasons.

Owens, meanwhile, adds needed experience to the Colts' safety room. He will be entering his eighth NFL season.

Like Thomas, Owens joins the Colts with his share of special teams experience, playing over 1,000 snaps in his career.

Defensively, he has made 35 starts, most of which came during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Owens played only 47 defensive snaps last season with Chicago.

Even with Owens and Thomas now in the mix, the Colts still have their share of question marks at the safety position.

Grading the Colts signing of Juanyeh Thomas

Grade: B-

Thomas is still just 25 years old, and as mentioned, he seemed to be stepping into a larger role last season. It's still unknown whether or not Thomas will make an impact on defense in 2026 with the Colts. This signing does not necessarily solve the Colts' need at safety, but Thomas possesses some upside and potential for the coaching staff to try to tap into. He can be a core special teams contributor right away as well.

Grading the Colts signing of Jonathan Owens

Grade: C+

This move is fine and not all that different from the addition of Thomas. Owens provides experience, which again, the Colts need here, along with special teams help. It's a low-risk signing that -- I'm guessing -- comes with minimal downside from a contract perspective. The difference in grades between Thomas and Owens is the upside Thomas has as a young player.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Grading Colts Jonathan Owens, Juanyeh Thomas signings