The Indianapolis Colts haven’t been very active in free agency and while that was to be expected, the majority of the work will come in the 2019 NFL Draft.
General manager Chris Ballard and his front office staff have nine picks as of right now to play with. Their first-round selection currently sits at the No. 26 overall slot, which could be a prime spot to add to the pass rush.
In no particular order, here are five pass rushers the Colts could target with their first-round pick:
Brian Burns | Florida State | EDGE
The odds favor Burns not even being available for the Colts in the backend of the first round. His talent, size and ability off the edge will likely make him an early to mid-round pick on the first day of the draft.
However, should he fall to the Colts at No. 26 overall, there is a high chance he will be among the top targets for Ballard. A long and bendy edge rusher, Burns has great flexibility while running the arc to go along with an extensive array of pass rush moves.
His size has been the biggest question, but he added weight at the NFL combine without it impacting his athleticism. He’s likely going to be off the board when the Colts are on the clock, but crazier things have happened.
Clelin Ferrell | Clemson | EDGE
At the beginning of the draft process, many believed that Ferrell would be an early selection. Some analysts and draft pundits even had the Clemson product as a top-10 pick in the draft.
However, his stock has fallen considerably toward the mid and end of the first round. Depending on who is available at the time, Ferrell could present the Colts with the best option off of the edge given his size and fit in the 4-3 alignment.
An excellent technician with his hands, Ferrell isn’t as bendy as some other prospects, but he is a savvy pass rusher that has found ways to win in multiple ways. He’s a solid fit for Matt Eberflus’ defense working from the edge with the potential to also kick inside.
Montez Sweat | Mississippi State | EDGE
One of the ideal pass rushers in this class, Sweat’s stock could take a hit following the news that he was diagnosed with a pre-existing heart condition at the NFL combine, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The doctors at the combine did thorough tests and allowed Sweat to participate in the drills, which is a good sign.
However, this could give teams pause on using a first-round pick on Sweat if they have fear of it turning into a bigger issue. The Colts will do their best to get to the bottom of it with the most information possible before making their decision with Sweat if it comes to that.
Should Sweat become available and his heart condition not cause any further issues, the Colts could wind up getting a steal at the back end of the first round.
Christian Wilkins | Clemson | IDL
There might not be a better fit for the Colts than interior defensive lineman Wilkins. Not only is he a disruptive force with leverage and athleticism from the interior, but Wilkins is also a perfect locker room presence for what Indy is looking for.
A true team-first guy, Wilkins is interested in building a winning locker room culture just as much as he is interested in honing his skills as a pass rusher. Though he must show he can rush the passer with consistency, Wilkins is a versatile piece that worked at multiple spots in the defensive front fro Clemson.
Wilkins is a perfect fit for the Colts at the backend of the first round if he is available and could wind up being the selection for Indy that solidifies their interior pass rush.
Jerry Tillery | Notre Dame | IDL
Another interior pass rusher that would have an immediate impact in a promising defensive front for the Colts, Tillery does bring some concerns that could drop him out of the first round, but he’s still a very solid choice at No. 26 overall.
Extremely athletic for his size, Tillery is regarded as one of the top interior pass rushers in the class. He has a history of character issues that the Colts will want to make sure he’s passed before investing so heavily in him.
Tillery has the ability to work both from the shade and the three-technique, though the latter is likely his best spot for production. Should most of the pass rushers get selected before the Colts get on the board, Tillery is one of the most realistic options for Indy.
