Colts Confident Trevor Bates Can Bolster Pass Rush

The Indianapolis Colts are hopeful that rookie linebacker Trevor Bates can develop into an impact pass rusher for the team–sooner rather than later.

Selected by the Colts in the 7th round of this year’s NFL Draft, the 6’2″, 245 pound Maine linebacker led the Black Bears with 7.5 sacks last season and finished with 19 career collegiate sacks.

With an aging pair of pass rushers Robert Mathis (35) and Trent Cole (33), the Colts and specifically new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino may have to find creative ways to conjure up a pass rush–presumably by committee.

While the Colts won’t necessarily be heavily relying on Bates from the get-go, he’s a rookie pass rusher that could potentially surprise as the season progresses:

"“He’s another one. He’s got the athletic ability, right,” said Todd Vasvari, Senior Player Personnel Scout on Bates via Colts.com. “According to the coaches, when we brought him in for a Top 30 visit, mentally super sharp kid. He’s going to be able to cross-train at two positions. It’s hard to do, especially coming from a lower level comp into the National Football League.”“I think he can help us as a (pass) rusher. He’ll help us definitely on special teams.”"

The former Black Bears standout played primarily defensive end in college, but will be called upon to rush the quarterback as a free-standing outside linebacker in the Colts 3-4 defensive scheme:

"“He can run (and) he’s a physical guy,” Pagano said of Bates via Colts.com’s Kevin Bowen. “They played him along the defensive front. He played some six technique, some seven technique. He’s done a lot of things.”“We’re excited to have him.”"

While Bates isn’t overly fast–posting a 4.78 forty time at his pro day, he has demonstrated considerable quickness off the edge.

Not to mention, he has flashed the effective use of his hands and strength to ward off opposing offensive tackles “initial punch” (special thanks to Colts blogger Brent Fatig and of course, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah for the rare clips–both great Twitter follows):

As Bjoern Werner‘s failure with the Colts recently showed, effort and strength can only get a pass rusher so far. Specifically, impact pass rushers must eventually develop pass rush moves.

Colts linebackers coaches Jim Hermann and Brad White will have their work cut out for them this offseason, as the team hopes to further develop Bates’ pass rushing prowess, as well as two undrafted free agent pass rushers Curt Maggitt (Tennessee) and Ron Thompson (Syracuse) for that matter.

Still, Bates at least has flashed the physical tools regarding his strength, quickness, and hand placement to eventually become an impact pass rusher for the team.

With Mathis and Cole another year older and a lack of proven options behind them, Bates time could actually come sooner than expected this season for the Colts.