We continue our training camp previews looking at the Indianapolis Colts interior defensive line and one of the veteran pieces of the unit.
Name: Margus Hunt
Position: DT
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 295
Age: 31
Year Drafted: 2013 (second round—CIN)
Background
A second-round pick with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013, Hunt was considered a prospect with a very high ceiling. The Bengals didn’t quite get all of that out of him, though.
Over his four seasons in Cincinnati, Hunt recorded just 1.5 sacks in 44 career games. He didn’t make any starts on the Bengals defensive line throughout his time in Cincy and eventually hit free agency where he would sign a two-year deal with the Colts.
In 2018, Hunt had a career year recording 5.0 sacks working both as a defensive end and defensive tackle. He made 15 starts.
2019 Outlook
Despite his age, the Colts gave Hunt a two-year extension this offseason. He figures to be in the plans as a starter working at the one-technique along the interior with Denico Autry projected to work mostly at the three-technique.
Hunt made a huge difference for the Colts defense, especially against the run where he was part of a unit that didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher throughout the entire regular season.
Entering training camp, Hunt should be penciled in as the starter at the one-technique without much competition to go against.
Bottom Line
The Estonian proved to be a wonderful piece to the defensive line on a weekly basis in 2018. It earned him a new contract that should make him the starter entering the 2019 season.
