The Colts Unofficial Undrafted Free Agents List
Sterling Bailey, DE Georgia
Summary:
The 6’4″, 285 pound senior defensive captain helped solidify the Bulldogs defensive line, recording 46 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and 2 pass breakups in 13 games (10 starts) and winning the Coaches Leadership Award:
Bailey collegiate production doesn’t “wow” you on paper, but he was a Top 10 defensive end high school recruit coming out of Georgia.
He finished his 4-year career with 108 total tackles and 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 7 pass breakups.
Right now, he projects as a 2-down run-stuffing 3-4 defensive end and could perhaps play the same role that the departed Billy Winn did with the Colts as a rotational defensive lineman last season (via his NFL.com draft profile):
"STRENGTHS Tough guy with impressive power at the point of attack. Plays with excellent technique. Has powerful legs and hands and gets plus arm extension to set the strong edge. Terrific feel for double teams anchoring his back leg like a door jamb to maintain his gap. Rarely beaten in the leverage game. Strikes, lifts and snaps hips at battle point. Leader on the defensive side of the ball. Played up and down the defensive line this season."
"WEAKNESSES Slow-twitch edge defender. Lacks explosiveness off the snap to penetrate and disrupt and is too slow and stiff to consistently range beyond the box to make takes. Marginal pass rusher relying on force over skill. Got home with just 2.5 sacks total while at Georgia. Tough but lacking optimal bulk to handle full-time interior work as a pro. BOTTOM LINE Run plugger who lacks the athleticism to play on the edge or the bulk to be a natural fit inside. In a perfect world, Bailey would be an ideal fit for a base 3-4 team looking for help against the run. 4-3 teams looking for a strong base end with toughness to squeeze the run could be an option. Bailey has almost no value as a pass rusher, but he’s a tough, skilled football player and there is usually room for guys like that."