Should the Colts draft Jonathan Taylor’s college teammate?

The Indianapolis Colts may not have a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft due to the Carson Wentz trade, but they still need to knock the draft out of the park in order to keep pace with the rival Tennessee Titans in the AFC South. Perhaps improving the defense could be the best way to accomplish that.

With Wentz putting together a fine season and Jonathan Taylor making a run at Offensive Player of the Year, Frank Reich and Chris Ballard might need to get Matt Eberflus an injection of young players to keep the DeForest Buckner-led front seven among the best in the AFC.

The Colts may need to return to Wisconsin to find their next contributor, as linebacker Leo Chenal has shot up draft boards after a quality junior year with the Badgers. Chenal would have familiarity with Taylor, as they played together in the 2019 season.

With the Colts in need of someone that can hang around in the box and blow-up ball carriers, Chenal might be one of the best Day 2 targets for Indianapolis. They already plucked an offensive star from Paul Chryst’s squad in Madison, so why not look for one on the defensive side?

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Will the Indianapolis Colts draft Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal?

Wisconsin has a history of producing players with a high football IQ, and Chenal fits that mold. A monstrous linebacker at nearly 260 pounds, Chenal is a sledgehammer in the box capable of taking on blocks, sniffing out ball-carriers, and delivering a blow with his vice-like grip when he gets there.

Chenal has recorded 136 tackles and 11 sacks over the last two seasons, making him one of the best run-defense linebackers in the country. Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke have their moments, but Indianapolis could find a new weapon for bigger packages against backs like Derrick Henry if they select Chenal.

Chenal’s biggest issue comes up when it’s time to cover. Even against tight ends, he shows a painful lack of fluidity and athleticism. Those poor change of direction skills will weigh on his stock unless Chenal has proven that he has become more explosive between the end of the college football season and the Draft.

While Chenal may never be this good in his career, the Colts might be able to use him in the same way the Patriots use Dont’a Hightower. While drafting a linebacker that big in a passing league is a risk, Indianapolis’ run defense would go from good to great if Chenal manages to get just a bit faster.

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