The Indianapolis Colts have a nice balance of youth and leadership on the defensive side of the ball, especially coming from the edge positions on the front.
Starters: Jabaal Sheard, Tyquan Lewis
Reserves: Kemoko Turay, Al-Quadin Muhammad
2018 position review
Switching to a 4-3 alignment under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the edge rushers found more success as a whole working in a one-gap scheme that simply asked them to get upfield.
Sheard led the room with 5.5 sacks while setting a forceful edge. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he was a reliable starter for the defense proving to have an impact each and every week.
Lewis wound up starting six games, which was more than Turay and Muhammad. However, the trio worked in a rotation on the right side of the line playing just about the same percentage of snaps by season’s end.
Offseason outlook
The Colts need to add to this position, plain and simple. They have a strong core of players that provide a solid foundation, but they have yet to find that pass rusher that can be considered a “dog” off the edge. Most of the top options in free agency are gone, which means they are likely looking at the draft to add some stock.
The Colts could very well use their first-round pick on an edge rusher. Depending on who falls to them, general manager Chris Ballard has the opportunity to add to the position with the right prospect.
Level of concern
High. The pass rush will always be the priority for the defense given it’s impact to the unit’s success as a whole. There aren’t a whole lot of options left in free agency, which means the biggest impact addition likely comes in the draft.
Potential additions
Free Agency: Justin Houston, Benson Mayowa, Nick Perry
NFL Draft: Brian Burns, Clelin Ferrell, Charles Omenihu
