Player Profile: How Bradley Chubb can help the Colts

2018 Stampede Blue NFL Draft Guide Player Profile

How Chubb can help the Colts

The Indianapolis Colts greatest defensive need is the ability to generate a consistent pass rush. They have not been able to generate regular pressure on the quarterback since Robert Mathis tore his Achilles tendon early in 2014.

Chris Ballard added some players to the roster last year who did help get something going. While John Simon, Jabaal Sheard, and even Tarrell Basham weren’t particularly adept at producing sacks — they did generate pressure and make some big plays. What Ballard needs now is a player who can lead the charge and command a lot of attention from the opponent’s offensive line. He needs someone that the opponent will have to game plan against if they hope to stop him.

There is little doubt that Bradley Chubb is the kind of player who can generate pressure on the quarterback and he is particularly well suited to fill the 4-3 defensive end role that Ballard suddenly needs to fill.

Perhaps Chubb’s greatest attribute is that he will be an every down player. He can stay on the field in passing downs to get pressure but is so strong as a run defender and edge setter that he is also a big part of your plan on early downs. A combination on the outside of Sheard and Chubb is very encouraging. It should allow the interior defensive linemen to get to work.

The biggest question-mark for me is whether he’s a marquee pass rusher. He is not necessarily an edge bender or a speed rusher. He wins with technique, leverage, and non-stop effort more than he simply blows the offensive lineman away with his athleticism. My concern is whether or not his particular pass rush tool box translates against NFL competition.

Will he be able to bully professional athletes with his hands? I think he might be a bit of a project to become truly gift as a pass rusher at the next level. If he is a 6-8 sack per year guy is he worth the 6th overall pick?

Regardless of the answers to my questions and concerns, this is a guy who will immediately be a good to very good starter at defensive end. He projects to have a long NFL career and he would certainly improve the Colts defense.