INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts signed punter Jeff Locke. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Locke spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. He averaged 42.6 yards per punt last season. Locke replaces Pat McAfee, who announced his retirement last month at the age of 29.

Terms: Not disclosed

ESPN 150 ranking: 128

Grade -- C: Not many people likely expected a punter to be the first outside free-agent signing made by new general manager Chris Ballard. It’s not a glamorous move, but signing Locke was a move that was necessary because of the retirement of McAfee after eight seasons in the NFL.

What it means: Locke has the tough challenge of replacing McAfee, who ended his career as one of the best punters in the league. The specialists -- with McAfee, long-snapper Matt Overton and the ageless Adam Vinatieri -- have been a strong suit of the Colts in recent years. Locke brings the ability to land punts inside the 20-yard line with him to Indianapolis. His 34 punts that landed inside the 20-yard line last season were the fifth-most in the league. Locke has landed 34.8 percent of his 290 career punts inside opponents' 20-yard line.

What’s the risk?: McAfee did a little bit of everything for the Colts. He was a punter, he handled kickoffs, he was the holder on field goals and extra points, and he was the team’s emergency quarterback. It’s unclear whether Locke will handle kickoff duties. Why is that important? With McAfee handling those duties, the Colts have been able to reduce the wear and tear on the leg of the 44-year-old Vinatieri. McAfee led the NFL in punting average at 49.3 yards and was third in net average at 42.7 yards. Locke was just 29th in punting average at 42.6 yards and 25th in net average at 39.0 yards last season.