The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 offseason with a familiar feeling - one that’s become all too routine for fans in recent years: a late-season collapse, a missed playoff berth, and more questions than answers. Despite having a projected $34.5 million in cap space to work with, the Colts are without a first-round pick in the upcoming draft and still searching for consistent answers at one of the most important positions in today’s NFL - edge rusher.
The Edge Rush Void: Still Unfilled
Let’s not sugarcoat it - the Colts’ pass rush has been a problem, and it’s not for lack of trying. General manager Chris Ballard has poured significant draft capital into the edge position over the years, but the return on investment has been underwhelming.
Two first-round picks, Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu, and five second-rounders - Ben Banogu, Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Kemoko Turay - have all been part of the plan.
But the results? Spotty at best.
Paye is headed into free agency and appears unlikely to return. Of those five second-round picks, three are already gone - and none of them earned a second contract in Indy. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you consider how vital edge pressure is in today’s pass-heavy league.
Veteran Samson Ebukam, who turned 30, is also set to hit free agency. While he brought experience and effort, the production just hasn’t been there to anchor a pass rush.
By the Numbers: A Telling Tale
The Colts’ pass rush stats from 2025 paint a clear picture. As a team, they posted just 29 sacks - seventh fewest in the NFL.
Even more telling? Their pass rush win rate, as tracked by ESPN Analytics, ranked 30th in the league at just 29%.
That’s near the bottom of the barrel in a league where pressure is currency.
No Colts defender cracked double-digit sacks. Latu led the group with 8.5 - a solid number for a second-year player still finding his footing.
But behind him, no one had more than four. That lack of depth and top-end production is a big reason why this defense struggled to get off the field in key moments down the stretch.
Latu has flashed promise. He’s long, athletic, and has shown steady development since being drafted in the first round in 2024.
But the question the Colts have to answer this offseason is whether he’s the guy - the tone-setter, the game-wrecker - or if he’s better suited as a complementary piece. Right now, he looks more like a “Robin” than a “Batman.”
And that’s not a knock - plenty of strong defenses are built around multiple good rushers rather than one dominant force. But the Colts don’t have that dominant force, and that’s the issue.
It’s been a long time since Indy had someone who could consistently tilt the field like Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis. Until they find that kind of presence again, the defense will likely continue to struggle in high-leverage moments.
Free Agency: Help on the Horizon?
With cap space to work with, the Colts could look to the open market to bolster the edge group. The 2026 free agent class has some intriguing names, though many come with age, injury, or contract baggage.
Here are a few to keep an eye on:
- Joey Bosa (Buffalo Bills, 30) - Still a disruptive force when healthy, but durability has been a concern.
- Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals, 31) - A proven pass rusher with a high motor and production to back it up.
- Boye Mafe (Seattle Seahawks, 27) - Young and ascending, with tools that could blossom in the right system.
- Odafe Oweh (Baltimore Ravens, 27) - Athletic upside remains intriguing, but consistency has been elusive.
- Jaelan Phillips (Philadelphia Eagles, 26) - Explosive when healthy, though injuries have slowed his trajectory.
If the Colts want to make a splash, there are options. But it’ll come down to risk tolerance and scheme fit. They can’t afford another swing-and-miss at the position.
Draft Day 2: The Next Wave
Without a first-round pick, the Colts will need to mine value in the second and third rounds - a space where Ballard has historically been active. The upcoming draft class features a deep group of edge prospects who could be available on Day 2 and develop into quality starters.
Names to watch include:
- Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
- Romello Height (Texas Tech)
- Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)
- Joshua Josephs (Tennessee)
- **Akheem Mesidor (Miami, Fla.) **
- T.J. Parker (Clemson)
- R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma)
- Zion Young (Missouri)
- Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
- Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan)
This is a group with a mix of traits - some are raw athletes with high ceilings, others are polished technicians with limited upside. The key for the Colts will be identifying a player who can contribute early but also grow into a larger role. They don’t need another project who flames out before a second contract.
The Bottom Line
The Colts have a lot to figure out this offseason, but the edge rush stands out as a glaring hole - and one that’s been left unfilled for far too long. With cap space and a deep draft class, the opportunity is there to finally fix it. But opportunity doesn’t mean much without execution.
If Latu continues to develop and the front office can find him a true running mate - whether through free agency or the draft - this defense could take a real step forward. But if the pass rush remains stuck in neutral, it’s hard to see the Colts breaking out of the cycle that’s kept them on the outside looking in come January.