Breaking: Colts Set To Sign Dominant All-Pro Pass-Rusher
NFL insider Ian Rapoport has reported that Philadelphia Eagles defensive pass-rusher Haason Reddick is allowed to seek a trade.
Sources: #Eagles All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick has received permission to seek a trade following another disruptive season featuring double digit sacks. The 29-year old with 27 sacks over two seasons in Philly could land elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/WxIGTac24M
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2024
Rapoport posted on X: “Sources: #Eagles All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick has received permission to seek a trade following another disruptive season featuring double digit sacks. The 29-year old with 27 sacks over two seasons in Philly could land elsewhere.”
Could this news perk up the ears of Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard? While the Colts set their Indianapolis-era sack record with 51 in 2023, they also didn’t get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The Colts have names that put a lot of pressure on QBs. Per Pro Football Focus, DeForest Buckner (52), and Samson Ebukam (48) were atop the defensive front at making quarterbacks uncomfortable. But, outside of this pair, the next best was rotational end Tyquan Lewis (44). After the former Ohio State Buckeye, it fell off considerably.
The lack of pressure from the defensive starters allowed passers to exploit a banged-up, inexperienced secondary. Ultimately, Indianapolis fell to 28th in the NFL in points allowed per game with 24.4.
The Colts need a dominant pass rusher, and Reddick could be that fit if Indy can make a trade happen. At this point, Reddick is a veteran who has been one of the most reliable sack artists/pressure defenders in the league in recent seasons. While it would take a deal that makes sense to get him (possible draft picks, playmakers, etc.), it could also be worth it.
Over the last four seasons, Reddick has 50.5 sacks (11 or more each year), 13 forced fumbles, 218 tackles, and 51 tackles for loss. He also applied 68 pressures on passers in 2023 as a member of the Eagles. These numbers showcase his constant motor that can disrupt any offense.
Reddick is a great talent to add to the Colts, but the question would be if Ballard is willing to make a transaction happen that would make the Eagles listen.
Many teams will be interested, but Indy needs to push former first-rounder Kwity Paye to get better at attacking the opposing field general. While the three-year veteran achieved a career-high in sacks (8.5), he didn’t get much done in the form of pressures (28). For the Colts to pick up Paye’s fifth-year option, he’ll likely need to elevate his pass-rushing game and be more than a high-level run defender.
It’s honestly not the likeliest scenario that Indy puts together a package that warrants the Eagles to trade Reddick. But adding the sack artist from Philly would end the notion that the Colts don’t have a dominant pass rusher and could elevate the rest of the defensive front in the process.
Colts Add Secondary Help in PFF Mock Draft
There’s been a common theme for the Indianapolis Colts in many of the NFL Mock Drafts in the media-sphere: Add a weapon for quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers has been a popular pick in several mock drafts, but Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus (PFF) went a different way with his latest effort. He has the Colts selecting Alabama Crimson Tide standout cornerback Terrion Arnold.
“Cornerback is the biggest area of need for the Colts, and they’ll have a chance to get a good one here,” wrote Sikkema on PFF. “Arnold has elite size, ball skills, and movement skills to be a potential Pro Bowler.”
Arnold is the first cornerback off the board on Sikkema’s mock. His teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry was considered the better prospect at the beginning of the season. However, Arnold outplayed McKinstry in 2023 and has usurped his teammate as the more-likely top pick.
Sikkema has McKinstry going at pick No. 22 to the Eagles.
Like most, he likely assumes free agent wide receiver Michael Pittman returns to the Colts, or his priority might change at No. 15.
If his mock draft plays out close to how he predicts, and they never really do, the Colts would still have a shot at an offensive playmaker like Bowers. He goes at pick No. 18 to the Cincinnati Bengals.
There are two lines of thought with Bowers. He’s either the top-non-quarterback offensive skill player on the board and could go as high as No. 5 to the Chargers. Or, the tight end position isn’t valuable enough to use a pick in the top-half of the NFL Draft.
The Colts would like to be in position to make that choice with both Arnold and Bowers on the board when they’re on the clock.
The NFL Draft starts Thursday, April 25th at 8 p.m. EST. The Colts currently have each of their own picks in each of the seven rounds picking at 15, 46, 82, 117, 149, 192, and 231.
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