Indianapolis Colts: Five Bold Predictions

Sep 29, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker

(92) warms up before the start of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

4. Bjoern Werner Logs More Sacks than Robert Mathis

The perennial Pro Bowler will meet his match this season.

Obviously, the four-game suspension for Mathis at the beginning of the season doesn’t help, but I really think that this is Werner’s year to step up on defense. If he can avoid injury this season (he sat out a few games last season due to a torn plantar fascia), Werner has every opportunity to be a dominant outside linebacker in place of Mathis. On the other side, Erik Walden has shown an inability to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis, leaving Werner as the only consistent option for the pass rush for four games.

Werner’s offseason has been stellar, and the Colts are raving about his performance in training camp. He’s been able to apply pressure to Andrew Luck consistently on both the right and left sides of the line, which makes him an intriguing player to watch this preseason.

While Mathis is an amazing player, the reigning sack-leader will have to sit out four games at the beginning of the season. Once he’s back, the production that he brings back to the team is questionable, considering he’s unable to play with the team for four weeks. Also, it has to be noted that the elite pass-rusher is on the wrong side of 30 (33). He may have had the best season of his career  in 2013, but the decline needs to start somewhere; there’s a realistic chance that a season where he only plays 12 games could bring with it a lesser performance.

Werner wasn’t drafted to provide depth; the Colts know that Mathis’ years are numbered, and are looking for Werner to step up as a replacement. 2014 is the best chance that Werner will have to show his worth.