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Indianapolis Colts free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

By Joe Romano

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Dante Fowler (56) raises hands during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 12: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Dante Fowler (56) raises hands during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Dante Fowler (56) raises hands during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Los Angeles Rams linebacker Dante Fowler (56) raises hands during the NFC Divisional Football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams on January 12, 2019 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dante Fowler Jr., EDGE

A big area of concern going forward is finding an edge rusher. The front office spent two second round picks on defensive lineman a year ago in Tyquan Lewis and Kemeko Turay. Both have shown flashes, neither projects as a long-term starter at defensive end in their base defense. Jabaal Sheard is the team’s best pass-rusher and looked solid all season. Indianapolis banked more on their collection of pass rushers than anyone being a dominant one-on-one player.

There are a few players the Colts should keep their eyes on. First and foremost is Dallas Cowboys defensive end, Demarcus Lawrence. If he should hit the open market, Indianapolis should back up the Brinks truck. That appears unlikely, as all signs point to him staying put in Dallas with a long-term deal. The other is Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. While his long-term outlook is a bit more up in the air, he’s already 30 and regressed mightily a season ago.

The name that should be atop their list is Rams free agent Dante Fowler Jr. Just 25 years old the former Jaguars top-ten pick was shipped to Los Angeles mid-season. It would be difficult for him to stay in L.A. given the other names that need to be paid and their cap situation. This was a one-year rental for the Rams and could be the Colts benefit.

Fowler would give the team the juice off the edge to compliment their other players. Fowler’s not a complete edge rusher but he can get to the quarterback. He is only one season removed from an 8 sack effort on a loaded Jaguars defensive line. Fowler’s presence would free up Sheard and the rest of the bunch with his speed off the edge. He fits what the team is doing going young as well, plus is likely to be considerably cheaper than the other two names mentioned.

group of him, Hilton, Ebron and Doyle, plus whatever they add in the draft can only help a unit that put points up a season ago.

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