The majority of the free agent signings and other offseason additions the Indianapolis Colts have made to their defense in recent weeks have been depth moves more than anything else. While that's not bad, it still leaves their defense without several starting-caliber players in key positions.
Linebacker is, of course, one of those key positions that every indication given by Colts general manager Chris Ballard points to the NFL Draft as his choice of direction to solve the problem. Linebacker isn't the only position group the Colts need to get help for, though.Â
Defensive end is another position group the Colts need to address, and several prospects have been linked to the Colts as fits, but at least three should be on Ballard's and the Colts' draft board.Â
Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton highlights 3 defensive end fits for the Indianapolis Colts
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Dani Dennis-Sutton presents the Colts with a player who brings toughness and force, which led to 12 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks with Penn State this past season. Where Dennis-Sutton is limited in the pass-rush, he makes up for it in his ability to get to the quarterback using the up-and-over arm action and strength against the run.Â
Dennis-Sutton has been projected as a third-round draft pick, so there is every bit of chance he'll be available for Indianapolis. Although Dennis-Sutton would be a depth pick, not an established starting one, the Colts would have to weigh what they're truly looking for before they consider him. If they value depth, Dennis-Sutton fits the bill quite well.
Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Kenyron Crawford has been linked to the Colts as another depth-bolstering pick to their front line on defense. Crawford was a standout defensive end in his final season with Auburn, putting up some of the best numbers in his college career. He's explosive and equipped with high-level pass-rush abilities, which would complement Laiatu Latu on the other side of the Colts' D-line.
While Crawford isn't the biggest option out there (6'4", 253 pounds), his speed and versatility on the edge are something the Colts could really use. Crawford recorded five sacks, one forced fumble recovery, one fumble recovery, and one interception last season with the Tigers. Considering the Colts want to get younger and quicker on defense, Crawford fits the mold.Â
Derrick Moore, Michigan
If the Colts want power and raw physicality added to their defensive line, Derrick Moore was both of those things and more for the Wolverines. His strengths lie in stopping the run game and collapsing the pocket, as he can push back the offensive line. Moore isn't the quickest at his position, but his strength makes up for it.Â
Moore (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) resembles a younger DeForest Buckner, who brings power every snap but, in his veteran years, lacks explosiveness. Moore can step up in that regard, not to mention his 10 sacks show that when he does collapse the pocket, he's not far away from getting to the quarterback either.Â
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