Colts: Here’s why Everson Griffen is a perfect fit on Indy’s defense

The Indianapolis Colts should sign free agent defensive end Everson Griffen.

Though they had several opportunities to do so over the closing rounds, the Indianapolis Colts surprisingly passed on bolstering their pass rush in the 2020 NFL Draft. General manager Chris Ballard fully believes in the talent already on the depth chart, and understandably so, as the trade for DeForest Buckner should only open up more gaps for returning stud Justin Houston.

While the Colts’ conviction in their current roster is commendable, signing another defensive end makes too much sense. After all, they ranked 17th in the league last season with a lousy 2.6 sacks per game. Luckily for them, veteran Everson Griffen is still available for the plucking.

However, the latest buzz indicates that the four-time Pro Bowler’s market his heating up as the Green Bay Packers are reportedly showing real interest in signing him. Colts Nation should be hoping that this lights a fire under the franchise to get a deal done.

The Colts currently rank fifth in the NFL with $21.35 million in cap space, so coughing up the finances to ink Griffen to a contract won’t be a problem. What’s even more ideal is the fact he would be a cost-effective signing. Indianapolis needs an affordable player that can wreak havoc up front in a 4-3 defense opposite Houston, and the former fourth-round pick star fills that bill.

Griffen’s age, 32, is nothing to be excited about, but he was as productive as ever with the Minnesota Vikings last year. In 15 games, he played 78% of the defensive snaps, during which he compiled 41 tackles, eight sacks and 17 quarterback hits while playing opposite perennial world-beater Danielle Hunter. That alone proves that he could be a force playing on the same defensive line as Houston.

On top of that, Pro Football Focus gave Griffen an elite 77.8 grade for the 2019 season. If that doesn’t tell you that the 10-year veteran is still capable of getting after the quarterback at an efficient level, then nothing will. A defensive line core of Houston, Buckner and Griffen might just give the Indianapolis Colts one of the best pass rushes in the AFC, so Ballard and the rest of the front office should really stop at nothing to bring him aboard.