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Report: Colts to Meet with Georgia OLB Leonard Floyd

By Luke Schultheis

Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) reacts with linebacker Amarlo Herrera (52) after a sack against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) reacts with linebacker Amarlo Herrera (52) after a sack against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, the Indianapolis Colts are going to meet Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd next week:

The 6’6″, 244 pound outside linebacker is coming off a standout junior season for the Bulldogs, recording 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks–earning second-team All-SEC notice.

Floyd is projected to be an early round selection, but some teams may be wary over his long and lean frame, as he’s considered one of the top “boom or bust” prospects in this year’s NFL Draft:

"5. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia: Tall, long, and lean pass-rush prospects have had mixed results in the NFL. For every Clay Matthews, Manny Lawson, and Julian Peterson, there is a Dion Jordan or Barkevious Mingo. Unfortunately for Floyd, the latter two were the more recent selections, leading scouts to wonder if Floyd has the strength and flexibility to consistently hassle quarterbacks on Sundays. In fact, Floyd managed just 3.5 sacks in his junior year at Georgia, down from 6.5 and 6 the previous two years, respectively. There’s certainly nothing wrong with Floyd’s “want-to,” and his ability to blow through gaps and around the corner when in pass-rush mode are impressive. As an early entrant, he has time to add onto his frame in a pro strength and conditioning program. He deserves to be an early-round pick, but how early will depend on teams’ willingness to project another 20 pounds onto his frame over the course of the next couple of years."

As a result, many draft experts have conflicting optimism about his future pass rushing success:

Still, with only aging pass rushers Robert Mathis (35) and Trent Cole (33), the Colts could clearly use an infusion of youth at the outside linebacker position. The team struggled getting pressure off the edge last season and were tied for the 22nd least amount of sacks with 35 total sacks.

Floyd is an intriguing prospect for the team as a pass rusher, but does come with some clear questions marks with his physical frame and somewhat lacking sack production.

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