Indianapolis Colts Seven-Round Pre-Combine Mock Draft
By Kyle Nishida
Round 1: Derek Barnett, DE/OLB, Tennessee (6-foot-3, 265 pounds)
The Colts have been in need of a dynamic pass rusher for a while now. This year, they are desperate for one.
Sack master Robert Mathis retired this year. Meanwhile, veteran outside linebackers Erik Walden and Trent Cole are both set to hit the free agent market. That leaves 27-year-old linebacker Akeem Ayers as the Colts’ top pass rusher. He only had two sacks in 2016.
The Volunteers’ Derek Barnett would be a welcomed addition to the Colts’ defense. At Tennessee, he had 32 sacks in three years; including 13 this past season.
He did play as a 4-3 defensive end at Tennessee. He would probably have to learn how to play 3-4 outside linebacker with the Colts. However, his size could allow him to play defensive tackle too.
While the Colts’ defensive system might not be the best fit for him, it would be hard for the team to pass on his sort of pass rushing skills.
He is very good at hand-fighting with offensive linemen. As a result, he managed to get by them with easy and terrorize opposing quarterbacks. He also overwhelmed all the blocking tight ends teams threw at him. He has very good on-field awareness and plays with a high motor.
The Colts need a relentless pass rusher and Barnett could potentially be that for them. With Indianapolis, he will likely take on a lot of double teams. However, he faced those same things in college and did just fine.
Barnett would be a solid fit for the Colts with their first round pick. As for alternatives, edge rushers Taco Charlton and Takkarist McKinley could potentially be available too.
With the pass rusher position squared away in the first round, the Colts stay focused on the their defense side.