According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts have shown interest in Buffalo Bills linebacker Zach Brown (not to be confused with the band).
With inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower safely off the market, Brown is arguably one of the top remaining free agents at his position–along with the Arizona Cardinals Kevin Minter among others:
He's in Oakland now. Brown has also had talks with the #Colts about a potential deal. https://t.co/ueXlyATT8R
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2017
Originally a 2012 2nd round pick of the Tennessee Titans, the 6’1″, 248 pound inside linebacker led the Buffalo Bills last season with 149 total tackles, 4.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception–earning his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), Brown was their 17th best linebacker with an +84.1 grade overall–including a +82.0 pass coverage grade.
The 5-year veteran has 292 tackles, 14.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 7 interceptions in 65 career games (49 starts), having spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans before joining the Bills:
It goes without saying, but the Colts could clearly use a proven starting inside linebacker, as the team has unpolished young linebackers, Edwin Jackson and Antonio Morrison, with little else in the cupboard otherwise.
Relying on one of those players to start in a healthy competition seems reasonable; however, counting on both seems like a risky proposition for the middle of the Colts defense going forward.
Next: PFF Mock Draft Has Colts Still Selecting Alabama’s Tim Williams
It’s worth noting that the Colts recently released longtime veteran D’Qwell Jackson, while the defense had already struggled replacing departed starter Jerrell Freeman last season.
Having a proven inside linebacker in his prime such as Brown seems like a recipe for success for the Colts defense in 2017–clearly an upgrade from the alternative.