Colts fans must be worried with who their starters at Defensive End are. As things stand, the two projected starters at DE are JT Tuimolau and Laiatu Latu. Tuimolau is entering his second year after posting nearly 0 production (had 1.5 TFL). Latu is entering his third year and had a solid year rushing the pasher last year, posting 8.5 sacks (as well as 1 FF, 3 INTs, and 5 TFL). This is currently the best the Colts have at the DE position. It’s good enough for a sidekick to the position, but not enough to be an Alpha EDGE rusher. As things stand, Latu is more than capable of being a #2 rusher. The Colts need to land a prime #1 rusher and none of the other rushers project as that. Tuimolau has the potential to emerge as the #3 rusher this year as he develops and competes against free agent pickups Arden Key and Michael Clemons. The free agent market for EDGE rushers has severely dried up, and the Colts almost landed FA Trey Hendrickson, which would have solved their problem, but ultimately missed out.
Here are some options they could consider to land an Alpha #1 EDGE rusher:
- Trade for Vikings DE Jonathan Greenard
- There are reports that Greenard is available for trade, and this would make the most sense for Indy. He’s a fairly young, and productive player on a very affordable contract of $19 million per year over the next two years. He posted 12.5 sacks three years ago and 12 sacks just two years ago. He had a down year last year only posting 3 sacks, but had a very respectable 10.5 TFL. What would the trade compensation look like? Well, it is reported that Vikings HC Kevin McConnell is intrigued by Colts QB Anthony Richardson, so Richardson and a 2026 3rd round draft pick could be enough to get this done.
2. Sign FA Joey Bosa
- This would be a decent “band-aid” solution as Bosa has a pedigree as a productive pass rusher before, even if he hasn’t found it lately. He is only still 31, which is technically still his prime and could tap into his pass rush ability from before. Indy could also have him for cheap and he could be rotated in with the other guys such as Tuimolau and Key to keep him fresh as he has been injury riddled as of late. Signing Bosa to a 1-year deal around $10-12 million just to get through this year could be a solid option for the Colts.
3. Sign FA Cameron Jordan
- Jordan like Bosa has a pedigree to be a productive pass rusher still at this stage in his career and would also present as a decent “band-aid” solution for Indy. Although he is 36 years old, he is coming off a 10.5 sack, 2 FF, and 6.5 TFL year. Also like Bosa, you could sign him to a 1-year relatively cheap deal and have him rotate to keep him fresh to get you through the year.
4. Trade for Will McDonald IV
- There have been rumours circulating not too long ago that Jets EDGE defender Will McDonald IV wants out of a “dumpster-fire” Jets team. The Jets are poised to have a very bad year again and with no hope in sight, could urge the Jets to sell their assets. If so, the Colts should be interested and calling to check in on the price tag. The Jets just signed two FA EDGE defenders in Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare, which could be signalling that they are willing to part with McDonald IV. The Jets currently have no hope at QB with joruneyman Geno Smith projected to be the starter, so would QB Anthony Richardson and a 3rd round pick, or perhaps a 2nd round pick be enough? The Colts should be checking with the Jets on this, as McDonald IV is young and already productive at his position, while also on a cheap rookie contract lasting 2 more years. This would probably be my favourite option for them.
