April 3, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
What does the latest NFL draft intel about the defensive end position mean for the Indianapolis Colts<\/a>?<\/p>\n Although the Colts<\/a> signed Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency, this position does remain a rather large need. Ideally, the Colts could still add a more high-impact presence to play opposite of Laiatu Latu, but that will be difficult without a first-round pick.<\/p>\n The good news is that this year’s edge rusher class is strong. The NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein<\/a> ranked that unit as the best overall position group in this year’s draft.<\/p>\n However, finding a nice rotational defender and someone who can start from Day 1. The Colts need the latter, but that might be difficult to acquire, especially with defensive end being a position group that is on the radar of many teams. This could lead to quite a few defensive ends coming off the board before the Colts are on the clock.<\/p>\n According to ESPN’s Matt Miller<\/a>, he is predicting that five or six defensive ends are selected in the first round, but that number could be as high as nine, which would not be ideal for the Colts.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n “Would it be a surprise to see as many as nine edge rushers?” Miller wrote. “Not with this class. There is a lack of top prospects at other premium positions and a need for rotational pass rushers in the NFL, especially from playoff teams selecting in the back end of the round.\u00a0R Mason Thomas<\/a>\u00a0(Oklahoma),\u00a0Zion Young<\/a>\u00a0(Missouri) and\u00a0T.J. Parker<\/a>\u00a0(Clemson) could all sneak in.”<\/p>\n