Indianapolis Colts “aren’t going to get the impact they hoped for” from Bjoern Werner

The Indianapolis Colts revamped their offense in a single draft pick last year, choosing quarterback Andrew Luck with the first overall pick. This past April they focused on the defensive side of the ball drafting linebacker Björn Werner, aka Bjoern Werner.

While some are homing that the Florida State product can help bolster their defensive unit. ESPN ranked the Colts 21st against the pass (in terms of yards per game- 236.8) and 29th against the run (in terms of yards per game- 137.5).

Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bedard writes:

"I don’t think the Colts are going to get the impact they hoped for from first-round pick Bjoern Werner this season. The end-turned-outside linebacker missed the first preseason game due to a knee issue, but he’s looked extremely ordinary in the past two. He made a couple of plays against the Giants, but they were against right tackle David Diehl, who is a warrior but whose physical skills have eroded. And it’s not even in Werner’s new techniques where he’s struggling (although he needs development vs. the run). He actually plays in space well for a first-time performer. It’s as a sub-package end, the same position he played at Florida State, where Werner has been lacking. He has average burst at the snap, and hasn’t shown many pass-rush moves. With Dwight Freeney and Jerry Hughes elsewhere, the Colts desperately need more pop in the pass rush. If Werner doesn’t develop, it’s hard to see how the Colts get better in that area."

That would be a huge blow to miss out on this draft pick. His unimpressive performance in the preseason could be due to that lingering knee issue.