INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts solidified their secondary Monday, signing former Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas to a veteran deal. General Manager Chris Ballard moved quickly to fill the void left by Nick Cross, who recently departed for the Washington Commanders. Thomas, 25, arrives in Indy after showing flashes of high-end potential during his three-season stint in North Texas.
Thomas Slated for Starting Role in Indy
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound safety is not just a depth piece. Early depth chart projections from ESPN already slot Thomas into the starting strong safety spot. He currently sits ahead of Daniel Scott and Reuben Lowery III. Thomas appeared in 36 games for Dallas, but his 2025 campaign turned heads before health issues intervened. In just seven games last year, he racked up a career-high 26 tackles and earned three starts.
The tape shows a player who thrives near the line of scrimmage. Pro Football Focus awarded Thomas a 69.0 run-defense grade for 2025, reflecting his ability to diagnose plays and fill gaps with authority. While his overall 60.0 grade shows room for growth in coverage, the Colts are banking on his physical tools to anchor the back end of their defense.
“Toughest football season of my life. We lost a brother, a teammate, one of the lights of the locker room in Marshawn. After being sat down with my nerve issue, it was so easy to be down. But I leaned on my brothers and my faith. God makes no mistakes.”
— Juanyeh Thomas, Colts Safety (via X)
The 2025 season was a gauntlet of emotional and physical hurdles for Thomas. He dealt with debilitating migraines and a nerve issue that cut his season short. More importantly, he and the Cowboys organization mourned the tragic passing of teammate Marshawn Kneeland in November. Thomas arrives in Indianapolis looking for a fresh start, both for his career and his peace of mind.
Draft Strategy and the Thomas Factor
This signing ripples through the Colts’ draft board. While rumors swirled that Indy might target a safety early, the Thomas addition allows them to focus elsewhere. Latest mocks from Athlon Sports suggest the Colts will use the No. 47 overall pick on Indiana standout cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Pairing a technician like Ponds with a physical safety like Thomas could transform a unit that struggled with explosive plays last winter.
The Thomas family is quickly becoming an NFL staple. Juanyeh’s brother, Azareye’h Thomas, recently finished a promising rookie year with the New York Jets, where he started five games and logged seven pass deflections. The competitive fire clearly runs deep, and the Colts hope Juanyeh brings that same energy to Lucas Oil Stadium.
