Michael Clemons

Career StatsF

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		65	8.5	119	18
2025		16	1.0	22	3.5
2024		17	4.5	34	3
2023		16	0.5

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Colts secured solid value with Michael Clemons at $5.7M AAV, landing a reliable depth piece at a price that won't handicap their salary cap flexibility. While Clemons isn't going to transform Indianapolis' pass rush as an elite edge threat, his C+ CVI reflects smart roster building — paying depth-level money for exactly what he is rather than chasing upside that likely isn't there. At 26, he's entering his prime years without the age-related decline risk that often inflates contracts for veteran edge rushers, giving the Colts three seasons of consistent rotational production. The $7.0M guaranteed in this $17.0M deal provides reasonable protection for Indianapolis while keeping Clemons motivated, though the modest guarantee suggests both sides understood his ceiling as a complementary player rather than a foundational piece. This is the type of under-the-radar move that championship teams make — filling out the depth chart with known commodities at market-appropriate rates rather than swinging for the fences on every signing.

Performance Analysis

Michael Clemons earns an F grade as a defensive end who has been unable to deliver on the pass-rush potential that made him a draft pick. His time with the Colts has produced minimal impact, with the sack numbers and pressure rate far below what's needed from an edge player. Clemons' physical tools are evident on the practice field, but translating them to game-day production has been the persistent challenge. Indianapolis needs more from their edge rushers, and Clemons hasn't filled that void. The grade reflects a player whose potential hasn't matched his production.

Fan Sentiment

A calculated depth bet on an ascending pass rusher with legitimate upside. Five headlines covered the move, with reporters framing it as a developmental gamble worth taking. The $18.5M deal signals the Colts see rotational starter potential, not just a camp body. Fans are cautiously optimistic, hoping Clemons finally unlocks his athleticism in a new system. If the Colts' coaching staff develops him properly, this could quietly become a solid value signing.