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Following my current focus on possible additions to the Indianapolis Colts and their need for a pass rusher, today we take a look at Ohio State senior Tyquan Lewis. Rolling in at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds he brings an impressive skill set to the NFL as a possible role in either a standup OLB in a 3-4, or a 4-3 DE who can get to the quarterback as well as be a force against the run.
As we’ve mentioned previously in multiple articles, we expect there to be a different defensive scheme in Indianapolis coming along with the new coaching regime. This, if it indeed does become a switch to a 4-3 base, opens up the ability to get more of the Colts defensive talent on the field at the same time.
Jabaal Sheard and John Simon offer some versatility, and adding more multifaceted defenders would make a ton of sense for Chris Ballard in his vision to build a Super Bowl contender, especially with the current roster and where their best talent resides. Currently the roster lacks true pass rushing defensive ends, but with a talented addition such as Lewis, the Colts front seven would become instantly deeper and more talented.
Lewis’ 2017 stats don’t jump off of the page at you when looking at his tackle numbers over the past two seasons (49), but his ability to get into, and disrupt, the backfield has been evident otherwise. Lewis has racked up 20 tackles for loss and 15 sacks between 2016-17 and is very good at getting his hands up into passing lanes as well as batting those passes down on occasion.
#Buckeyes DE Tyquan Lewis is showing he’s the quickest defensive lineman for the North team. Fun little drill here where you have to catch the guy in front of you. Lewis did easily. pic.twitter.com/7zXu2INK6r
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) January 25, 2018
Lewis was the 2016 Smith-Brown Big 10 Defensive Lineman of the Year award winner and has a great mix of initial and secondary tactics, and is quick with his counters allowing him to collapse the pocket from a bevy of different angles.
Lewis put together an impressive final two games of his collegiate career as well. In the Cotton Bowl against USC he put up 5 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble, and Saturday in the Senior Bowl Lewis amassed 3 more tackles with 2 of those being tackles for loss and adding another sack. His combination of speed and power while adding some of the technical aspects of the position is going to have him in high demand come late April.
Once again, I put together another break down of some of his college tape with my own commentary of what I saw from him. Enjoy!