The Indianapolis Colts went into the NFL Draft with the mindset of getting younger and faster on defense, and with the added intention of addressing significant holes at linebacker and defensive end that likely had Colts fans nervous after the big Zaire Franklin trade.
Well, the Colts certainly answered these questions in the draft, picking five defensive players out of eight selections; two of them at linebacker, two at defensive end, and one at safety. When it comes to getting younger, the mission was a success. Whether the picks pan out, however, that is a wait-and-see game for now.Â
Still, with the defensive side of the ball being such a priority for Colts general manager Chris Ballard to focus on, and with the players he selected, what does that say to the overall improvement of the Colts' defense in general? According to Colts sideline reporter Stephen Holder, there is one specific position group he believes improved the most, and it’s on defense.
Indianapolis Colts defensive line improved the most out of any position group says ESPN's Stephen Holder
When it comes to depth signings, the Colts may have run away with the win of all 32 teams this offseason so far. In fact, the Colts completely stayed away from any splashy free agent signings or trades involving stars. The only star the Colts were involved in a trade with was Franklin, but he was outgoing, not incoming.Â
The Colts clearly had the goal in mind of collecting depth upon depth. Additions like Cam Taylor-Britt (CB), Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB), Arden Key (DE), and Jonathan Owens (S) are just a few of the depth signings the Colts initiated and converted on in these past several weeks. These are all good to very good players, but no stars or superstars, just a lot of solid depth.Â
According to Holder, the Colts reporter for ESPN's NFL Nation, he was recently asked which position group on the Colts has improved the most so far in the offseason, and his answer was the defensive tackle position, thanks to the depth they've gathered there.
"The Colts haven't made any splashy acquisitions this offseason, so options are limited," Holder wrote. "But they did add some notable depth to their interior defensive line, where veterans Colby Wooden, Jerry Tillery, and Derrick Nnadi will compete for snaps behind starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart."
The help brought in to back up longtime veterans Buckner and Stewart was a smart play on Ballard's part. Wooden, who Indianapolis got in return for Franklin, brings fresh legs and youth, having been in the league for just three seasons. Nnadi and Tillery bring the veteran presence and a combined 16 years of experience, and in Nnadi's case, Super Bowl-winning experience.Â
Those three players are solid pickups and should help bolster the Colts' defensive line in every way. Of course, with Buckner and Stewart still there, the Colts already had one of the NFL's best defensive tackle duos. Now, they have some of the best depth, too.Â
If depth was the mission, Ballard and the Colts succeeded. For Ballard, specifically, he's hoping more than a few of these additions pay off, because his future with the Colts isn't exactly locked and secured. Next season will be huge for him and his job security. That said, Ballard has to be credited for the work he's done this offseason so far. He went shopping and returned with a lot of goods.Â
Add us as a preferred source on Google