Should The Indianapolis Colts Have Drafted A Defensive End?

The Colts, who had a very strong offseason, improved their defensive line by acquiring Pro Bowl defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.

Indianapolis did lose its only selection of the first round in the trade for Buckner.

However, it was an important trade for the Colts because they received a proven four-year player.

In 2019, Buckner forced multiple fumbles for the first time in his career,

In addition, only one defensive player recovered more fumbles than he did last season.

The 2018 Pro Bowler will be an important part of the team’s defensive line in the upcoming season.

Then, after adding Trey Burton, the draft began for the Colts.

The 2020 Colts Draft

The Colts’ 2020 NFL Draft finished with the following nine selections:

1. WR Michael Pittman Jr (USC) No. 34, 2nd Round
2. RB Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin) No. 41, 2nd Round
3. S Julian Blackmon (Utah) No. 85, 3rd Round
4. QB Jacob Eason (Washington) No. 122, 4th Round
5. OL Danny Pinter (Ball State) No. 149, 5th Round
6. DT Rob Windsor (Penn State) No. 193, 6th Round
7. CB Isaiah Rodgers (UMass) No. 211, 6th Round
8. WR Dezmon Patmon (Washington State) No. 212, 6th Round
9. LB Jordan Glasgow (Michigan) No. 213, 6th Round

Indianapolis focused on the offense in the first four rounds, and then proceeded to select defensive players as three of their final four selections.

However, looking at the lack of impact players at the defensive end position, it may have been wiser for the Colts to at least take a late-round flier with a player who primarily plays defensive end.

Should the Colts have Drafted a Defensive End?

After the draft, the Colts are mainly in need of three positions: cornerback, tight end, and defensive end.

The solution to replace Jabaal Sheard could be Jadeveon Clowney:

The #Colts are now in a good position to move Jacoby Brissett and they can use the free cap room (from the trade) to sign Jadeveon Clowney. The Colts have not addressed their defensive end spot this draft and it’s a need. #NFLDraft

— Andrew Aziz (@AndrewAzizSB) April 25, 2020

In the meantime, Indianapolis signed undrafted free agent defensive end Kendall Coleman:

DE Kendall Coleman is signing with the Colts per source. Great technician who has been working with Robert Mathis lately. Big signing imo

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) April 26, 2020

Coleman was very excited to be returning to his hometown, Indianapolis, Indiana:

#ColtsNation… I’m coming home!!!😁

— KC (@KendallColeman_) April 26, 2020

Could Coleman Be the Answer?

The 257-lb, 6’3″ Syracuse senior went to Cathedral High School in Indianapolis.

During his time at Syracuse, he was a trendsetter.

Coleman became the Orange’s first true freshman to start at defensive end in a couple of decades.

In the home opener, he had four tackles in Syracuse’s strong 33-7 victory over the visiting Colgate Raiders.

Then, a torn labrum in his left shoulder plagued his 2017 season, but he almost had as many tackles (28) as he did during his freshman year (29).

Then in his junior year, he had a whopping 10 sacks, which ranked second in the ACC that year.

Coleman had 12 tackles for loss that season, which was his collegiate career high.

Although his sack total dipped to four in 2019, he had an impressive 10.5 tackles for loss.

Coleman also defended two passes in his senior year, his only two defended passes of his collegiate career.

With Coleman being added to the shallow defensive end mix in Indianapolis, he will have a chance to make an impact.

As long as Coleman keeps improving as he did in college, he has the potential to be an important defensive asset for the Colts in 2020.

With the Syracuse defensive end on the roster and the ability to sign a player like Clowney, the Colts may have not had to draft a defensive end.