The Indianapolis Colts will always emphasize adding depth and young talent to the defensive line, especially on the interior, which is one of their biggest needs entering the 2019 NFL Draft.
In a deep defensive class, the Colts will have their opportunities to address that need, and there is a chance they do so more than once across the three-day event.
Here is a defensive tackle prospect for the Colts in each round of the NFL Draft:
Round 1: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
There might not be a better fit for the Colts in the first round of the draft other than Wilkins. He fits exactly what they need on the field while checking every box off of it. If he’s on the board in Round 1, it’s very difficult seeing the Colts pass him up.
An interior penetrator that is extremely athletic for his size while also playing with admirable strength, Wilkins is a versatile piece that can line up as a nose, a shade or a three-technique. He has a very high motor and is coming off of a unanimous All-American selection.
While Wilkins does lack arm length and consistency against the run, he’s a perfect fit for the aggressive, one-gap front the Colts feature and would fit immediately in the locker room.
Round 2
Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
There will be some disagreement with the round placement for Tillery. There is a high chance he goes in the first round, even to the Colts at No. 26. However, there are enough pundits and analysts that believe he could fall to the second round.
While Tillery lacks elite consistency, he’s a versatile piece that brings length, quickness and excellent hand usage to the interior. He’s best suited for the three-technique where is job is to get upfield and apply pressure from the interior.
Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
There are a few concerns with Simmons given his off-field history before college and the fact that he tore his ACL in February, but if he’s available in the second round, that value might be too difficult to pass up.
A penetrating interior defensive lineman, Simmons has a bevy of pass rush moves that can make him an immediate contributor once he’s fully back from ACL recovery. Play recognition and finishing plays are some of his biggest weaknesses, but he could work well as a gap shooter in the Colts’ front.
Round 3: Gerald Willis, Miami
Should the Colts wait until the end of Day 2 to add to the interior defensive line, Willis could be an interesting prospect to consider. He’s a solid fit for the one-gap scheme even if there are some glaring weaknesses.
Where Willis excels is getting off the line of scrimmage with quickness, which allows him to disrupt the interior and get into the backfield. However, he often struggles against double teams and lacks consistency winning on the interior.
Willis could find success with the Colts’ aggressive front as a rotational piece early on while he learns to consistently keep his pads low and builds off his quick first step.
Round 4
Daylon Mack, Texas A&M
Mack would be an interesting Day 3 pick for the Colts, especially if they are looking for a player that can plug gaps as a nose or a shade. There isn’t a whole lot of competition at those spots given the inconsistency of Grover Stewart and the fact that Al Woods likely won’t return.
Mack lacks length but does have enough strength to be a late-round pick if the Colts believe he can become an early-down producer working primarily as a run-stopper.
John Cominsky, Charleston
Coming from a small school, Cominsky will need to show he can against much better talent on the interior, but Chris Ballard hasn’t been afraid to look at the small school players one bit. Cominsky might have enough measurables to mitigate the risk on Day 3.
Working best as a three-technique, Cominsky would benefit from working primarily as a penetrator. The Colts wouldn’t get much out of him as a run-stuffer, but he could wind up as a solid rotational piece at the three-technique.
Round 5: Armon Watts, Arkansas
A strong player with size to work both the one-tech and three-tech, Watts is an intriguing prospect for the Colts on Day 3. He brings excellent hand usage and strength when generating pressure from the interior.
Watts is known as a hard worker that would step right into the attitude of the defense and while he might not be a huge asset against the run, he does work well in one-on-one situations, which could make him a solid fit for the Colts’ front.
The Colts have enough picks to address the interior more than once, which makes Watts an intriguing prospect on Day 3.
Round 6: Michael Dogbe, Temple
There is a lot to like about Dogbe’s game enough so that he could go earlier on Day 3. However, many pundits and analysts have him pegged for a late-round selection. He could still be a value pick for the Colts as a disrupting interior defensive lineman.
With athleticism, strong hand usage and a quick first step, Dogbe would likely fill a rotational role immediately while working the one-gap front. He might have some issues against the run, but he would still be a solid project as a Day 3 pick.
Should the Colts use one of their early picks on an interior defensive lineman, Dogbe could be selected later in the case Indy double dips.
Round 7: Daniel Wise, Kansas
With a hot motor and the ability to shoot gaps in an aggressive front, Wise might be a one-trick pony working solely against the pass, but there are some traits to like about him as the Colts’ final pick in the draft.
He struggles to disengage from blockers once they get their hands on him, but Wise would be an intriguing pick in the final round as a player that could work into the rotation while also making his mark on special teams.
