Jan. 30, 2026, 12:54 p.m. ET

Ryan Smith of Pro Football Focus identified each team’s biggest need this offseason. So, which position group did he select for the Indianapolis Colts, and do we agree with him?

Smith’s pick when it came to the Colts was linebacker.

This position certainly has to be a priority for GM Chris Ballard. Depth is a need, as is a greater coverage presence at this position.

Ballard perhaps even alluded to linebacker being a need when saying that the defense as a whole has to get younger and faster. Although he didn’t specifically mention linebacker when making that statement, that position group does seem to fall under that umbrella.

However, if I were building out a positional needs big board, linebacker would be No. 2. At the top would be defensive end. That, of course, is if we operate under the assumption that Daniel Jones will be returning in free agency, which seems to be the case.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Like linebacker, depth is needed here. Currently under contract at defensive end are JT Tuimoloau, Laiatu Latu, Durell Nchami, and Viliami Fehoko.

But beyond that, the Colts need a more consistent pass rush from this group. Something that Ballard also acknowledged, mentioning that “more fuel” was needed along the defensive front.

On the season, Indianapolis’ defensive line ranked 30th in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric. Or another way to put it, this unit did not win its pass-rushing matchups nearly enough.

The Colts’ overall pressure numbers were fine, but in part, that was a product of many teams through half the season being pass-heavy as they played catch-up against the Indianapolis offense. But in close games or on key downs, the Colts’ ability to generate pressure was too up-and-down.

Without steady pressure on the quarterback, the job of every other defender on the field, especailly in the secondary, becomes much more difficult with those players now needing to hold up in coverage much longer.

The name of the game is affecting the quarterback, and the Colts have to do a much better job of that. So that is why addressing this position group should be at the top of Ballard’s to-do list.