Stephen Holder

stephen.holder@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts made a run at one of the biggest remaining free agents on the market, but that effort has not produced a deal – yet.

Kansas City Chiefs free-agent nose tackle Dontari Poe, according to ESPN, concluded a visit with the Colts on Sunday without a contract and headed for Jacksonville to meet with the division rival Jaguars.

Speaking of the Colts, Poe told ESPN before his arrival that “they’re trying to get something done,” although his departure for Jacksonville suggests he’s still very much on the market.

But a league source indicated the situation is fluid and the Colts are still in the mix to sign Poe.

Colts rookie general manager Chris Ballard was hired by the Colts from the Chiefs in January and would be well-positioned to place a value on Poe, the former Chiefs’ first-round pick. There has been speculation about Poe’s back injuries, something Ballard would have intimate knowledge of. Also a factor could be Poe's projected asking price, rumored to be north of $10 million per season. Teams generally assign a price range to a particular player and, if disciplined, stay within it during negotiations.

If the Colts don’t land Poe but remain interested in acquiring an interior defensive lineman, some attractive options are still available. Among them is New York Giants free agent Jonathan Hankins, just 24 and coming off a 43-tackle season. Bennie Logan of the Philadelphia Eagles is also out there.

The Colts could also redirect resources elsewhere.

One position where there seems to be significant depth remaining is inside linebacker. Free agents like Dont’a Hightower (Patriots), Zach Brown (Bills) and Kevin Minter (Cardinals) are all still available in what looks like a slow-moving inside linebacker market. That might create the opportunity for some bargain signings in the days to come.