The Colts defensive line is one of the weaknesses of this team. The Colts brought back NT Margus Hunt on a two-year contract in the offseason worth $10 million. While he has a cheap price, he hasn’t been performing as well as I’d like him to. Denico Autry has been the force at the defensive tackle position with 2.5 sacks on the season and a career total of 22.
Pro-football Focus rates Denico Autry at an overall of 74.2 with a pass rush skill of 70 and a run defense of 67. While nothing special in terms of skill, Autry and Hunt are working together as a team. However, this team could use more than one pass-rushing nose tackle. This is where Derrick Brown comes into play. For his size, he’s extremely fast and agile. He can penetrate behind the line and can also rush the passer. At 6’5″, nearly 320 pounds, the senior decided to stay in school for one more year.
However talented he is, some are saying he can make the top 10 in the 2020 NFL draft, and if that’s the case the Colts could trade one of the second-round picks they have and a first to move up the board to take him at possibly 8-12.
Brown will have some weaknesses as well. He tends to not use his size to his advantage, something NFL guards and centers will have no problem with taking advantage of. Given Matt Eberflus’ talent at pulling skills out of anyone, I don’t see how Brown won’t be a good fit for the Colts defense. Brown would Join a defensive unit that has improved over the past few years under the team of Frank Reich and Matt Eberflus.