How is EDGE a need?
- Laiatu Latu needs more help. Arden Key, Caden Curry, George Gumbs Jr., Jaylahn Tuimoloau, and Micheal Clemons could fail to provide a consistent pass rusher opposite of him.
- Even if Colts add a vet free agent pass rusher in 2026, it would likely only be a 1 year deal. A long term answer is still needed.
- The Colts have invested heavily in their secondary. The best friends to a secondary is a good pass rush, so it will be a top priority to add more quick winners to the pass rush department.
Edge Rushers
- Colin Simmons, Texas: Round 1 Grade
- Dylan Stewart, South Carolina: Round 1 Grade
- Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon: Round 1-2 Grade
- Quincy Rhodes, Arkansas: Round 1-2 Grade
- Princewill Umanmielen, LSU: Round 2 Grade
- Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State: Round 2 Grade
- Damon Wilson Jr., Miami: Round 2 Grade
- John Henry Daley, Michigan: Round 2 Grade
- Jordan Ross, LSU: Round 2 Grade
- Clev Lubin, Louisville: Round 2-3 Grade
Honorable Mentions
- Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
- Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame
- Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
- Anto Saka, Texas A&M
- Will Heldt, Clemson
The Edge Rusher group has a lot of talent that could go in the top 50ish picks, so there is a solid chance one or a few of the top 10 makes it to the Colts in Round 2.
The Colts have drafted a lot of Ohio State DEs over the years (Tyquan Lewis, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Caden Curry), so Kenyatta Jackson coming to Indy has some precedent if he slides to the Colts pick. He’s a big power rusher who sets a hard edge and uses his long arms very well. If he can gain more to his moveset and become
more fluid and bendy, he could rise a lot in the draft and unlock another level. Even still, he is a productive power rusher in the BIG10 who got better as 2025 went on.
If the Colts want more bendy and explosive edge rushers, Damon Wilson Jr and Clev Lubin make a lot of sense to pursue. Both have very strong pass rush production and are explosive off the line of scrimmage to win at the first step. If the Colts want to take a shot on speed rushers in Round 2, both would be top prospects to watch.
Former Northwestern edge rusher Anto Saka also fits a similar bill for the Aggies this year and is a genuine Feldman Freak athlete. Still raw in his pass rush arsenal and not a solid edge setter to be a consistent player on film, but his athleticism and motor are tantalizing. He could rise in rankings if he takes a step forward in development.
If the Colts want a more power rusher, Boubacar Traore out of Notre Dame, Teitum Tuioti from Oregon could be available on Day 2. Carmel High School alum Will Heldt is also a potential power rusher, but with his 6’7 size he could bulk up past his current reported weight of 260 lbs. and slide inside more this year for Clemson or in the NFL.
Overall this could be a very strong Edge draft class with over 15 players getting Round 1-3 grades early on in summer scouting. There is a good variety too in terms of prototypes and size profiles, so there is a strong likelihood of a pass rusher being available that fits what the Colts want at the position and is of Big Board value whenever the Colts pick in Round 2 in 2027. Still a whole season to get through first before final grades and scouting reports are complete, but it’s hard not to get excited about this class from a draft evaluator perspective.
