The Indianapolis Colts, like all teams, will continue to look for depth additions and hidden gems at the edge rusher positions when the 2023 NFL draft arrives Thursday night.
Though the tandem of Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo is enticing, the Colts also added Samson Ebukam in free agency and brought back Tyquan Lewis on a one-year deal this offseason. It’s a solid room, but we know Chris Ballard will always look for pass-rush help.
It’s a strong edge rusher class with several prospects boasting upside while fitting what the Colts want to add to Gus Bradley’s defense.
As we break down the prospects by round, think of the “rounds” as tiers and when I believe the team should begin to consider drafting them.
We also created big boards at the following positions:
| Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Interior OL | Offensive Tackles |
| Defensive Tackles | Edge Rushers | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties |
Here’s a look at my big board for the edge rushers as it relates to the Colts in the 2023 NFL draft:
Round 1
1. Will Anderson, Alabama
Arguably the top overall prospect in the class, Anderson earned unanimous All-American honors twice in his three-years starting. Though he’s not a massive edge rusher, he explosive, twitchy and refined as a technician, especially with his hands. In the unlikely event the Colts pass on a quarterback Anderson could be the pick.
2. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
With three years of starting experience, Wilson has the prototypical build for a defensive end in an even front. He has great size and length to set the edge while adding plenty of power. Learning to play with lower pad level and adding counters to his pass rush will be key objectives, but Wilson as a lot of upside.
3. Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
The Colts probably won’t get a chance to draft Van Ness, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s high on their board. A raw pass rusher in terms of counters and diversification, Van Ness has incredible size, length and bend when running the arc. He has a high motor and is still growing as a player (27 games played in college). He’s more of a projection, but that ceiling is high.
4. Nolan Smith, Georgia
Though undersized (238 pounds), Smith is incredibly athletic and explosive. He projects best as a LEO type or stand-up edge rusher in an odd front. His production doesn’t quite match his playing time, but he’s a loose athlete with the traits teams will love to develop.
Round 2
5. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
Arguably one of the best fits for the Colts, Anudike-Uzomah brings the type of size, length, burst and bend to thrive in a LEO role. He brings an elite motor with an aggressive mindset. He has shown the ability to provide counter moves while needing more refinement in setting the edge against the run.
6. Myles Murphy, Clemson
I’m probably a bit lower on Murphy. He has good size, length and intial step to be a base defensive end in an event front. Murphy brings a high motor with plenty of power. He lacks natural bend and flexibility when running the arc, and there are times when counter moves aren’t present. He’s a solid prospect, but I question how high the ceiling is.
7. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
A fifth-year senior, McDonald only has two years of starting under his belt, but he still racked up 42 tackles for loss and 34 sacks in 23 starts. Though a bit light (239 pounds), McDonald is incredibly lengthy, explosive and flexible. He needs refinement in terms of adding counters to his plan, but he brings high upside if he can put it all together.
8. B.J. Ojulari, LSU
A two-year starter for the Tigers, Ojulari doesn’t have ideal size, but he shows good length and an impressive first step as a stand-up rusher. Most likely a better pass rusher than run defender, Ojulari would fit as a Yannick Ngakoue type of player. He brings a high motor, high character and was voted team captain as a true junior.
Round 3
9. Keion White, Georgia Tech
Still learning the position, White transitioned from tight end in 2019 while at Old Dominion. He transferred to Georgia Tech during the pandemic but only had one year of starting experience. White’s advanced age and lack of refinement may hurt his stock. But he brings impressive size, length and power to set the edge against the run.
10. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
A redshirt junior and two-year starter, Foskey was a team captain for the Fighting Irish in 2022. He recorded 26.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss in 25 starts. A versatile pass rusher, Foskey projects best as a base defensive end in an event front, but he has experience both standing up and playing off the ball. Foskey has good size, length and a high motor.
11. Derick Hall, Auburn
A two-year starter and a team captain in 2022, Hall brings good size, length and burst. Though he lacks bend running the arc, he shows impressive short-area quickness with plenty of power. He projects best as a stand-up rusher in an odd front who will attract teams with high motor quick step off the line.
12. Zach Harrison, Ohio State
It would not be a surprise if Harrison was one of Chris Ballard’s favorites. He brings elite size and length for the position with a massive 85.5-inch wingspan. He’s not a bendy edge rusher, but he wins with burst, power and length. He’s consistently disruptive and can play both on the edge and the interior. He was a team captain and attended the Senior Bowl.
Round 4
13. Yaya Diaby, Louisville
A three-year starter at Lousiville, Diaby screams “Chris Ballard type” when it comes to his size, length and athletic traits. He’s still learning the nuances of the game after transferring from a juco in 2020, but there is plenty of upside as a Day 3 pick. Diaby’s lack of experience and advanced age will hurt his draft stock, but he has the type of athleticism to mold.
14. Isaiah McGuire, Missouri
With three years of starting experience, McGuire profiles as a base defensive end in an even front considering his size and length. He shows quick intial burst off the line with decent bend while running the arc. He was a team captain in 2022 and attended the Senior Bowl.
15. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
Despite being one of the younger pass rushers in the class, Tuipulotu has three years of starting experience. A 2022 unanimous All-American, Tuipulotu has impressive short-area quickness for his size. The lack of length will be an issue for the Colts, but Tuipulotu has experience working in a LEO role and won’t turn 21 years old until September.
Round 5
16. K.J. Henry, Clemson
An older prospect who attended the Senior Bowl, Henry brings intriguing size, length and a high motor. He’s not going to win with bend, but he has a quick first step with impressive hand usage. Henry is more of a disruptor than his numbers show, but he may be a bit limited athletically considering his lack of flexibility running the arc. Still, he could compete for a rotational role right away.
17. Byron Young, Tennessee
Not to be confused with the Alabama defensive tackle, Young is an old prospect (25) who lacks ideal size and length. However, he’s extremely explosive with a quick first step and has experience playing a LEO-type role. He won’t add much in the run game, but he could compete for a rotational role eventually.
18. Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State
A fifth-year senior and four-year starter, Fehoko is an intriguing sleeper on Day 3. Though a bit shorter than most, Fehoko has the size, length and power to set the edge with consistency. He moves relatively well for his size and is constantly showing counters in his pass rush plan. He’s an older prospect who may be a bit limited athletically, but his technique and motor could land him an early role.
Round 6
19. Andre Carter II, Army
A two-year starter, Carter has the height and length the Colts will like with the chance to build some mass on his frame. He projects mostly as a stand-up edge rusher who has an excellent motor but may struggle to consistently set the edge. He’s extremely flexible despite being 6-foot-6 and can run the arc with plenty of bend. He’s a project, but there is plenty of upside on Day 3.
20. Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
A fifth-year senior with two years of starting experience, Baldonado will be an older prospect entering the league. He has good size and length to go along with some impressive burst and bend when running the arc. He sets a strong edge but will need to continue developing more of a plan when it comes to his counters.
