According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell (subscription), the Indianapolis Colts signing a pass rusher in free agency is still the franchise’s ‘one move to make’ this offseason:
One move to make: Sign an edge rusher. The draft appears to have more first-round picks at offensive tackle than it does on the edge, which would push Indy toward adding a rotation piece. A Houston return could still be in the cards, but Melvin Ingram, Jadeveon Clowney and Ryan Kerrigan are also still available. If the Colts prefer to address left tackle, Russell Okung is unsigned, which could lead to a scenario in which Okung explains Bitcoin to team owner Jim Irsay.
The Colts reportedly still have interest in re-signing veteran pass rusher Justin Houston.
However, there are also a number of remaining veteran free agent options available such as Ryan Kerrigan, Melvin Ingram, Olivier Vernon, and even Jadeveon Clowney among others.
The Colts could use a proven pass rusher to help complement their existing ‘green’ group, which lost veteran starter Denico Autry in free agency but recently signed Isaac Rochell as a reinforcement, as well as re-signed rotational backup Al-Quadin Muhammad.
It’s a pass rushing room that will currently be heavily relying on breakthroughs from Tyquan Lewis, Kemoko Turay, and Ben Banogu collectively—as it lacks an ‘alpha dog’, bonafide #1 pass rusher to anchor the group as a whole.
Signing a still impactful veteran as a steadying presence and for consistent production to lessen the volatility of the Colts’ young edge rushers could pay off dividends—especially while serving as a pass rushing mentor for its developing players in the process.
In that regard, it would be a bit surprising if the Colts didn’t add a complementary veteran pass rushing piece through free agency still yet this offseason.
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