This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts will need to address the quality and depth of the defensive line.
One of the weaknesses this season for the Indianapolis Colts was the pass defense. While the secondary can be better, the struggles against the pass started up front with Indy’s inability to rush the passer.
After 17 regular season games, the Indianapolis defense only tallied 33 sacks, seventh-lowest in the league. That’s something the team needs to improve to become contenders next season.
General manager, Chris Ballard, made this known during his end-of-season presser. Throughout the hour-long conversation with the media, Ballard repeated the phrase “we need eight.”
By eight, Ballard meant eight quality defensive linemen that can rotate and get after the quarterback. While he was excited about the young pass rushers on the team, Ballard admitted that they didn’t have the necessary eight this season.
With an aggressive offseason, that can change. There are a number of defensive linemen that will hit the market once free agency begins. Here’s 5 defensive lineman the Colts can sign to improve the pass rush.
Colts can sign Larry Ogunjobi
Larry Ogunjobi is in his fifth season in the league and just finished his best year as a professional with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Starting at defensive tackle for Cincinnati, Ogunjobi played 16 games, recording 49 tackles, seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits.
Unfortunately for Ogunjobi, he sustained a foot injury in the Bengals Wild Card win and will miss the remainder of the playoff run. This means he could have played his last snap with Cincinnati.
Ogunjobi’s one year deal with the Bengals will end and he will enter free agency once again. With his production this season at the defensive tackle position, there will be a market for him.
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With his career year coming in Cincinnati, it makes sense for both parties to work out a new deal, but nothing in free agency is guaranteed.
If the Colts are serious about bolstering the pass rush unit, they have to give Ogunjobi a call. He would be an upgrade as a starter over Grover Stewart, and will do work next to DeForest Buckner.
Additionally, signing Ogunjobi would bump Stewart to the second unit, giving Indy some depth that Ballard desires.