Indianapolis Colts Midseason Awards: Best Position Group
By Drew Koch
Newly appointed Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard wasted little time trying to beef up the Indianapolis front line this off-season. He spent $34 million dollars to improve the defensive line, and the additions have paid off. The Colts’ defensive line receives our Midseason Award for the Best Position Group in 2017.
Al Woods, the former Tennessee Titan, signed a two-year $4 million deal this off-season. At 6’4″ 330 pounds, Woods has helped add some much needed bulk to the Colts’ D-Line. With only one sack thus far on the season, Woods is less of a pass rusher and more of a run stuffer.
Johnathan Hankins joined the Colts after signing a three-year $30 million contract on April 13, 2017. Hankins, the former second-round pick of the New York Giants, is another big body helping Woods to clog the running lanes along the Colts’ defensive line.
Henry Anderson is finally healthy. Anderson showed a lot of promise during his rookie campaign in 2015, until tearing his ACL against the Denver Broncos in Week 10 of that season. On the season, Anderson has 19 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble.
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It may seem odd to rank the Indianapolis defensive line as their strongest position group, due to the fact that the Colts defense ranks near the bottom of the league this season allowing 3,254 total yards. However, the defense’s ability to keep the opponent’s running game in check has kept the Colts in many games this season.
The Colts need more dominant performances from the defensive line, like last week against Cincinnati, and that may be able to translate into more wins during the second half of the season.