Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard passed on a lot of intriguing edge rushers in Round 4 of the NFL Draft before finally adding to one of his most depleted positions in Round 5. By choosing Florida’s George Gumbs, he seemed to acknowledge that the Colts need help on the edge, but he didn’t exactly declare a state of panic.
However, drafting Gumbs has to be seen as a clear message to 2025 second-round pick JT Tuimoloau. Rookie year is over and any leeway the young player may have gotten is also done. It is time for the Ohio State alum to step up.
Gumbs is very much a work-in-progress. He is likely to compete for a spot behind Indianapolis’ four primary edge players – Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, Michael Clemons, and Tuimolaou. But if Tuimoloau does not show noticeable improvement in his second season, George Gumbs could be the player who eventually supplants him on the depth chart.
George Gumbs seems like a prospect for the future, but that future could be coming fast
Had Ballard deemed it essential, he could have invested one of his two fourth-round picks in a more developed edge rusher like Dani Dennis-Sutton or LT Overton. Dennis-Sutton went several picks after the Colts chose guard Jalen Farmer while Overton was picked just two spots after Ballard took his second linebacker of the draft, Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher.
That may suggest the GM is mostly content with the current state of his edge defenders. But it is impossible to ignore all the unknowns.
Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukan, and Tyquan Lewis are all gone from last year’s roster. (Lewis remains a free agent and could still return.) Key and Clemons bring a veteran presence but neither is elite.
Latu is the one ascending star.
That leaves Tuimoloau with a golden opportunity to step up. It also creates a great deal of pressure. He was barely a presence last season. Maybe that’s not the worst situation. Latu and Paye were the clear alphas in the group, while Ebukam and Lewis brought a wealth of experience. Sitting behind those veterans for a season may end up being a positive.
But Tuimoloau has to begin proving his worth this summer. Key is the projected starter at this point, but if all goes well, the second year player will seize the job for himself.
He does not really have to worry about Gumbs in the short term. Just a few years ago, Gumbs was an unheralded wide receiver before making the switch to defense. He is still growing into the position. But he has a lot of the physical attributes that coaches love in an edge.
Standing over 6’4,” he carries 245 pounds easily. He may have the frame to add some extra bulk. He has 4.66 speed in the 40 and showed off an impressive vertical leap at the scouting combine. Perhaps best of all, he has the long arms and impressive wingspan that makes him dangerous as both a pass rusher and run defender.
Gumbs has come a long way in a short time. He may still have a ways to go, but Ballard obviously was taken with his potential. For a player in Tuimoloau’s position, that means he must lay his claim to a starting edge position now, before Gumbs develops into a bigger threat. Drafting George Gumbs in Round 5 doesn’t really threaten JT Tuimoloau’s job right now. But it could in the future.
That may be the very reason Ballard made the pick – to light a fire under his second year player. If both Tuimoloau and Gumbs develop, then a perceived weakness on the Colts defense could become a strength in short order.
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