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The Colts could make an addition to the defensive front
The Indianapolis Colts wanted to reinforce the EDGE position for the 2026 season and were close to adding Trey Hendrickson to the squad. But after a turn of events from around the league, Hendrickson decided to sign with the Baltimore Ravens.
Indy has added some pass rushers to the squad, but none stand out as major talent like Hendrickson.
With around $26.6 million in cap, head coach Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator can go out and sign one of the better EDGE rushers in the market.
Colts Named Landing Spot for Former Houston Texan
GettyColts may reinforce the pass rush through free agency
Third-year Laiatu Latu will be the only guaranteed starting EDGE rusher for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2026 season. The former UCLA Bruin improved from his rookie year to his second year. Now, adding a solid addition opposite of him would benefit the Colts’ pass rush.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report named a free agent who can help every team in the league, naming EDGE rusher Derek Barnett for Indianapolis.
“The Colts have a clear need at edge-rusher but no first-round pick with which to target one. The team’s off-ball linebackers are half a mess, but Ballard has an excellent record targeting the position in Day 2 or even Day 3 of the draft,” Davenport wrote. “It’s the former need we’ll address here—even if it’s not a player who is going to magically fix the team’s problems at the position.”
“Despite playing less than 400 snaps each of the past two years in the shadow of Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter with the Houston Texans, Derek Barnett had five sacks both seasons. The former first-round pick could benefit from a higher snap count. And the Colts have to do something to try to generate a pass rush.”
Barnett won’t be the elite pass-rusher Lou Anarumo is looking for, but he has five seasons in his career with 5 or more sacks in a single season, bringing consistency to the defense.
Indy also brought in Arden Key and Michael Clemons through free agency, with the former on a two-year deal and the latter a three-year deal. Both defenders combined for five sacks last season, tying Barnett.
With a need for the defensive front, Derek Barnett can bring some quality to the Indianapolis Colts defense.
Colts Owner Affirms Defensive Line Worry
GettyCarlie Irsay-Gordon of the Indianapolis Colts
At the 2025 NFL Owners Meetings, Carlie-Irsay Gordon affirmed that the team has an issue on the defensive line, but mentioned that the team could make an addition.
“This is just my layman’s view is that I think the path that we need is obviously D-line, and I think it’s a clear path as far as, ‘What are the pieces that we need?’ And I feel like there’s a lot of great opportunities in the draft,” the owner said, via Colts Wire.
Indy does not have a first-round selection and will make its first pick on Day 2 with the 47th overall.
First-round talent seeps into the second round and the Colts could get a promising pass rusher.
With cap space available, it doesn’t shut the window to add Derek Barnett to the team as well.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
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