Colts: Jaylon Smith signing with Packers is a huge missed opportunity

Though injuries haven’t helped the cause, the Indianapolis Colts‘ defense has performed well below expectations through four weeks.

Sure, they stepped up to the occasion in Week 4, but the Dolphins have one of the NFL’s worst offenses, so what did we really learn?

Not much, and with the trade deadline less than a month away, we seriously hope general manager Chris Ballard is already browsing the market for potential reinforcements as the Colts look to get their season back on track.

However, let’s put the deadline talk on ice for now. A potential fit in the form of Jaylon Smith hit the open market after Dallas shockingly swallowed $16.6 million in dead cap to release their former second-round pick.

Sadly, the Colts missed the small window, and Smith was picked up by the Green Bay Packers.

But this should be a discussion because we could consider this a missed opportunity for Indy. Given how much the Colts’ linebacking corps has struggled in the early goings this season, would Smith have served as an upgrade?

The Colts missed out on Jaylon Smith after the Packers picked him up.

While Smith certainly has his limitations — he’s unwatchable at times trying to fill gaps against the run — he’s markedly better than what the Colts are currently trotting out there at the linebacker position.

Darius Leonard started off slow, but he’s rebounded nicely in recent weeks and has come up with huge plays in big moments. Having said that, Leonard’s ankle was wrapped up pretty good in Week 4, so it wouldn’t hurt adding another body to the rotation to lessen the burden on the $98.5 million superstar.

Bobby Okereke, meanwhile, is on pace to shatter his career-high for tackles. Finally thrust into an every down role following the departure of Anthony Walker, Okereke is proving to be staple of Indy’s defense moving forward.

Beyond Leonard and Okereke, however, things start getting a little dicey. Zaire Franklin, who’s more equipped as a special teams ace than playing LB, has been exposed during his limited opportunities (45 snaps).

Behind Franklin, you have EJ Speed, who’s played just six defensive snaps, Matthew Adams, who’s played just one defensive snap, and Jordan Glasgow, who’s yet to even see the field on defense this season.

In other words, there is far too much onus on Leonard and Okereke, who literally haven’t been taken off the field on defense. Seriously, they’ve played every defensive snap through four games. That isn’t sustainable, and it’s really no wonder that Leonard’s ankle injury hasn’t healed properly.

So, yes, the Colts should’ve absolutely looked into adding Smith. The fifth-year pro had experience under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who came over from Dallas, and he was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is just a two-hour drive from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Smith certainly has his limitations, especially against the run, but he’s a sound tackler and holds his own when he’s asked to drop back into coverage.

After all, former Pro Bowlers who are just entering their prime don’t come around very often this deep into the season. We wish Ballard had acted with a bit more haste.

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