Linebacker Kyzir White is still a free agent. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts need another linebacker. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for the veteran to land in Indy.
The Colts were expected to take a linebacker early in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they waited until the seventh round to select one (Hunter Wohler). Wohler, who played safety at Wisconsin, will convert to linebacker in the NFL. More than likely, he’ll only be a special-teams contributor in 2025.
Again, signing Kyzir White makes sense for the Colts. Will they land the former fourth-round pick?
The Indianapolis Colts Should Sign Free Agent Linebacker Kyzir White
Looking Back at His Career
Kyzir White began his collegiate career at Lackawanna College. He earned a spot on the All-Northeast Football Conference Third Team in 2014. The following season, he helped the school finish with an 8-2 record.
White later transferred to West Virginia. He was named to the Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2017. During his two-year career with the Mountaineers, he recorded 152 combined tackles (15 for loss), four sacks, and nine passes defended.
The Los Angeles Chargers drafted White in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. During the 2021 season, he recorded 144 tackles with two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.
After four seasons in Los Angeles, White signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2022. He helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl during his lone season in Philadelphia. White recorded four tackles in the Super Bowl LVII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
White then signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. He started all 17 games last season, producing 137 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Why the Colts Should Sign Him
Earlier this offseason, the Colts lost E.J. Speed in free agency. He signed with the AFC rival Houston Texans. Speed wasn’t the only Colts linebacker who left Indianapolis. Grant Stuard headed North and landed with the Detroit Lions. Speed and Stuard’s departures left two holes in the Colts’ defense.
Thankfully for Indianapolis, Zaire Franklin is still on the roster. The former Syracuse star is coming off a great 2024 campaign. He led the NFL with 173 tackles and was selected for his first-ever Pro Bowl. Franklin will start at one of the Colts’ linebacker spots. But who will start opposite of him?
2024 fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies could become a starter in 2025. However, it would be wise for the Colts to sign a veteran like Kyzir White. He could compete with Carlies to get the starting job.
White would fit in well with the Colts, who ranked 29th in defense last season. He played solid football the past two seasons in Arizona. In 2023 and 2024, White combined for 227 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 18 tackles for loss. He possesses the ability to patrol the middle of the defense and has the skills to anchor a unit. White could either team with Franklin to form a quality starting duo or provide much-needed depth behind Carlies.
White isn’t a superstar by any means. If he were, he wouldn’t still be available this late in free agency. Yet, he’s a leader on and off the field. Plus, he’s a reliable tackler and good against the run. With that said, it wouldn’t hurt for the Colts to take a chance on him.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Rebilas] – USA Today Sports
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