Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Report: Michigan State’s Malik McDowell Has Visited the Colts

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) stands on the field between plays during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) stands on the field between plays during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts recently received a visit from Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell.

The 6’6″, 295 pound McDowell is highly regarded as one of the best defensive line prospects in this year’s NFL Draft:

The former Michigan State standout is coming off a junior season in which he recorded 34 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 30 QB pressures on 206 pass-rush snaps in 9 games, as he earned First-Team All-Big Ten and 2nd-Team All-American Honors (SI.com, CBS Sports).

Here’s his NFL.com Draft Profile:

"NFL COMPARISONEzekiel AnsahBOTTOM LINEHas similar physical traits and abilities of Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, but may not share their football character. McDowell lacked production along the interior and could benefit from a move to a defensive end spot in a 4-3 or 3-4 front. McDowell is raw, but when he flashes, it can be blinding. McDowell is an explosive, ascending prospect with All-Pro potential if he grows into his body and takes the necessary coaching."

While there’s no questioning McDowell’s immense talent and potential among draft experts, there are lingering concerns of whether his ‘motor and effort’ are always there on a regular basis–leading to inconsistent production:

That being said, McDowell has the ability to be a true difference-maker along the defensive line if he can consistently put it all together on a week-to-week basis:

Of course, the Colts could use help along their defensive line, as well as all over their defense as a whole.

The team’s two projected starters at defensive end, veteran Kendall Langford and 3rd-year pro Henry Anderson, still haven’t shown that they are full recovered from previous knee injuries respectively.

It’s worth noting that the team also has emerging young defensive lineman Hassan Ridgeway and signed veteran Margus Hunt as a free agent earlier this offseason, as both players are expected to help replace departed veteran starter Art Jones and rotational defensive lineman Zach Kerr as depth in the trenches.

Next: UCF Cornerback Shaquill Griffin to Visit Colts on Thursday

Nevertheless, McDowell has the immense physical ability to be the Colts best defensive lineman in time and a star player for their defense.

However, any team would have to be confident that his effort will finally meet his special ability in order to elevate him into being one of the best defensive lineman in all of football–which is no sure thing at this time.

Home/Colts Draft