Defensive Line Prospects the Colts Must Consider in the 2015 NFL Draft
The defensive line may be the Indianapolis Colts' most important need of the offseason.
Of course, it's hard to say when the entire defense has needs, with each position seeming more destitute than the last. And, of course, the offense isn't set by any means.
But the New England Patriots bullied the Colts in their final game of the 2015 season, in large part because the New England exposed the Indianapolis front for what it was: soft. While the line was improved from previous seasons, it still couldn't do anything against the Patriots' power run game, whether it was LeGarrette Blount or Jonas Gray running the ball.
With Cory Redding becoming a free agent and Ricky Jean Francois' contract making him a potential cut candidate, the Colts' defensive line problems are just growing as the draft approaches.
For this unit, the Colts need immediate contributors and potential All-Pros, not depth or project players. So we're looking at five defensive linemen who could be around in the first round for the Colts to target.
5. DL Eddie Goldman, Florida State
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The 6'3", 320-pound junior from Florida State is one potential nose tackle who could be available when the Colts' first-round pick comes around.
Goldman played numerous positions on Florida's defensive line over the last two seasons, from a 5-technique defensive end to a nose tackle. He was in more of a rotational role in 2013 with Timmy Jernigan still in school but took on a full-time role in 2014. With Florida State's deep rotation, you still didn't see Goldman playing as many snaps as some other college defensive linemen, but he did have a prominent role.
I like Goldman because of his quick sudden movements when engaged with offensive linemen. He does a good job of two-gapping linemen against the run, which he could do as a nose tackle or as a 5-technique in the Colts' defensive front. He uses leverage well and keeps his arms extended to make shedding blockers an option at any time.
The downside is his lack of a pass-rush presence. His quickness led to some production in college, but in the NFL he'll need more than just quickness, and I see too much stagnation from him and not enough power to consistently collapse pockets.
But, he should be strong against the run, and he has some traits that could be molded into pass-rushing weapons.
Scout's Take
"Locates the ball quickly and does a nice job of latching onto ball-carriers as they attempt to run by, showing the reach and strength to pull them down or pop the ball out (Clemson). Scheme and position diverse. Just scratching the surface of his potential.
"
4. DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
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When a player who compares favorably with Calais Campbell could be around when the Colts pick, you pay attention.
Arik Armstead is perhaps the most divisive prospect in this year's class, but if he's still there at No. 29, the Colts have to make him one of their top choices. At 6'8", 290 pounds, he is a physical freak, and he should add to that reputation by testing well at the combine this weekend.
With his length and fantastic strength, Armstead does a great job of keeping offensive linemen at bay long enough to assess where the play is going before making his move. His hands are his best assets, as he uses them like clubs to knock linemen off balance repeatedly.
For a player of his height, he actually wins the leverage battle surprisingly often. If he could be quicker off the snap, he could do so even more consistently and be a force as a penetrating one-gap lineman.
But he's probably best fit as a 5-technique defensive end right now, where he can hold ground against the run and develop into a pass-rushing force. He's not polished as a pass-rusher yet, but he has tantalizing talent for coaches to work with.
Scout's Take
"At nearly 6'8" and 290 pounds, he doesn't just offer exceptional quickness for his size, he's also a powerful edge player who can simply move people backwards when he's playing with leverage and is going to disrupt passing lanes with his length. When you think of what a guy like Ziggy Ansah can do for Detroit in converting speed to power and removing the pocket even when he's not blowing by you—essentially succeeding even as a relatively raw player -- there's a comparison to be made between the two players.
"
3. NT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
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I've written about Jordan Phillips several times already this offseason, and I am prepared to do so quite a bit as the draft approaches.
The biggest need for the Colts on the line is that nose tackle position, both against the run and in the pass rush. The team's defensive ends and outside linebackers did a decent job against the run in 2014, keeping rushing attacks that move laterally well-contained. But the runs right into the teeth were overwhelming. Then add in the lack of pass rush from the interior, and you get a need for a playmaking nose tackle.
Phillips stands out immediately from that perspective. He has the quickness and balance to dominate both single blocks and double-teams in pass rush for stretches, and his use of varying pass-rushing moves lends itself more confidence in that ability than with some other tackles.
At 6'6", 334 pounds, he has the bulk to hold up at the point of attack as well, although he could improve his ability to disengage from blocks, especially from smaller centers who win the leverage battle.
Phillips did play overly conservative at times in the 2014 season, but with what will likely be a lightened load (from a snap-count standpoint) in the NFL, I'm not too concerned. He has as high of a ceiling as anybody at nose tackle in this draft.
Scout's Take
"He has the body type and length to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 front, but there is no reason to move him from the nose. If he gets that motor going, he could be a dominant pro.
"
- AFC North scout, via Lance Zierlein of NFL.com
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2. DL Malcom Brown, Texas
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Like Phillips, Malcom Brown of Texas showed great improvement in 2014, and his stock could continue to rise as the draft approaches.
Currently, most draftniks project Brown in the late first round, and he may represent the best value play on this list. At 6'4", 320 pounds, he has the size to play nose tackle if need be, but he carries that weight so well that you could easily see him at either end in the Colts' 3-4 defense.
Brown does an excellent job of using his hands both in run support and the pass rush, and when combined with his quickness, it makes him nearly unblockable. With an ability to penetrate and disrupt, he could be the kind of force that the Colts are looking for on the interior.
Married with two children, Brown is generally regarded as a fantastic "character guy," which is something the Colts may be looking at with a bit more caution this season. Talent and an ability to learn trumps all, but the team may be a bit more cautious about off-field projects with the numerous incidents over the last year.
While Brown doesn't have the pure power of other prospects, which negates his chances to be an effective nose tackle, his combination of size and agility makes him one of the draft's most intriguing linemen.
Scout's Take
"Mayock: “Malcom Brown is a 1st round guy all day long.” Anybody who watched him last season agrees, was dominant for stretches.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) February 16, 2015"
1. NT Danny Shelton, Washington
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The ultimate dream for the Colts, as far as defensive linemen go, is Danny Shelton, who could be the superstar athlete that great defenses are built around. When you draw comparisons to Haloti Ngata and Dontari Poe, that's not an exaggeration.
At 6'2", 339 pounds, Shelton has as much mass as anybody in the draft, and he plays like it. He's a classic space-eating nose tackle and would do well two-gapping in the Colts' three-man front. He is built to handle his weight, with a wide body and thick legs that make his anchor sturdy.
But he's not just an immobile rock in the middle. Shelton has surprising athleticism that allows him to maintain control when chasing lateral running plays as well, whether it's maintaining balance against cut blocks or washing down the line of scrimmage on sweeps.
That athleticism is in play in the pass rush as well, as he uses a powerful get-off and sudden movements in the middle of the pocket to create uncomfortable situations for quarterbacks. He won't start out as an elite pass-rusher at the next level, as he's limited right now, but with some coaching there is big-time potential.
Shelton also played a high number of snaps at Washington and is used to a big load. That's great if a team needs that, but he'll benefit from a more focused rotation.
Scout's Take
"He reminds me of Haloti Ngata. I think everybody sees that comparison. Powerful. Better feet that you think. And you’ll be surprised at how many snaps he can play at a high level.
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- Mike Mayock of NFL Network, via Adam Jude of The Seattle Times
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