{"id":850489,"date":"2026-04-03T02:08:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T02:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850489\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T02:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T02:08:46","slug":"espn-mock-has-colts-selecting-physical-edge-setter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850489\/","title":{"rendered":"ESPN Mock Has Colts Selecting ‘Physical EDGE Setter’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Malachi\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

UCF EDGE rusher Malachi Lawrence<\/p>\n

Kwity Paye<\/a> and Samson Ebukam<\/a> both departed the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>\u00a0in the 2026 NFL<\/a> Free Agency, leaving a gap in the team\u2019s EDGE room. The pass rushers combined for 42 sacks during their combined time with the AFC South team.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis brought in Arden Key<\/a> and Michael Clemons<\/a> as replacements through free agency, but a few analysts believe the Colts can make another addition through the draft.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s NFL Draft analyst team released an updated three-round mock draft, with Indy addressing the EDGE room with the team\u2019s first pick.<\/p>\n

Colts Predicted to Take Big 12 First-Team Defender\"Malachi<\/p>\n

GettyMock draft has the Colts bolstering the EDGE group<\/p>\n

The Indianapolis Colts will make their first selection of the 2026 NFL Draft on Day 2, after trading away their first-round selection to the New York Jets<\/a> to acquire All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis will have to wait some time before their selection, but it gives them more time to scout and land a guy who fits the scheme.<\/p>\n

Draft analyst Jordan Reid predicts Indy will select<\/a> University of Central Florida pass rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 47th overall pick<\/p>\n

\u201cEdge rusher is one of the Colts\u2019 top needs. And despite not picking in Round 1, they can check a box here. Lawrence is a long and physical edge setter with excellent bend and closing speed,\u201d Reid wrote for ESPN.<\/p>\n

Lawrence, who has spent his entire collegiate career with UCF, has logged 20 sacks and 72 tackles (28 for loss). Pro Football Focus<\/a> gave the EDGE rusher an 89.5 pass rush grade, ranking him 33rd in the country.<\/p>\n

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein compared<\/a> Lawrence to Arizona Cardinals<\/a> pass rusher Josh Sweat<\/a>, who recorded 12 sacks in the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn NFL-caliber edge rusher with prototypical size and length, Lawrence moves with the suddenness of a smaller player\u2026 He can win inside or outside, but his speed-to-power conversion is average,\u201d Zierlein wrote. \u201cLawrence is an ascending prospect with rush polish and pro traits that should be enticing for pressure-hungry defenses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many mock drafts have Malachi Lawrence being selected in the mid-first round to late second round. If the Big 12 first-team member falls, it would give the Colts someone to pair up with Laiatu Latu<\/a> on the opposite side.<\/p>\n

Colts HC on Addition to the Pass Rush\"Shane<\/p>\n

GettyShane Steichen talks about the additions to the defense<\/p>\n

The EDGE rush room needs a bit of polishing, but Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is happy about the additions to the defensive line of Arden Key<\/a> and Michael Clemons.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the media<\/a> at the NFL Annual Meeting, the HC was asked how he would evaluate the team\u2019s pass rush and had a positive response to the newest members of his team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited for the guys we just signed\u2026 I\u2019m looking forward to those guys stepping in. Building that chemistry with those guys and [defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo\u2019s] defense,\u201d the head coach said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing against Key when he was in Tennessee<\/a>, I thought he was a hell of a football player. And Clemons is another guy that plays with great energy. Looking forward to what he can bring to our football team and building [off of] that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indy still has over $25 million in cap space and can make another addition to the team. Or, they can sit tight and wait for the NFL draft to come and secure a younger option.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJason Garcia<\/a> 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<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Colts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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