Colts 2015 Player Preview: Defensive Lineman Kendall Langford

The Colts' defensive line hasn't been very good for several years, and entering this offseason it was one of the biggest areas of need for the team.  Despite that, the team let their best defensive lineman from the past three years, Cory Redding, walk in free agency (he signed with the Cardinals).  In his place, the team signed Kendall Langford in free agency, the biggest move they made along the defensive line this offseason.

Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Langford spend the first four years of his career with the Dolphins, playing in 64 games (starting 54 of them).  He signed with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent in 2012, and over the next three seasons he played in 48 games with the Rams (starting 36).  In his seven-year career, Kendall Langford has not missed a single game, playing in all 112 possible games (and starting 90 of them), racking up 242 tackles, 15.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles.  His strength is in run defense, though head coach Chuck Pagano cautioned that we will be surprised by his pass rush this year as well.

In 2015, Langford will absolutely play a big role for the team and he needs to play well in order for the Colts' defense to really show the improvement that many hope for.  The team replaced Cory Redding with Langford, essentially exchanging pass rush for run defense, which could put even more pressure on the new defensive lineman in the minds of fans.  Ultimately, this move could end up being one of the best free agent signings that the Colts made in free agency this year, as there is reason to be optimistic about the signing.  Langford has been a productive defensive lineman who is incredibly reliable (playing in every single game) and should significantly help the Colts' run defense.