5 linebackers Indianapolis Colts could target in NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is almost upon us and the Indianapolis Colts have many needs to fill on their roster. The most obvious is the quarterback.

But after that, their next biggest needs are at cornerback and offensive line. However, there is one position that could be of more importance and revealing about a Colts player.

Last season, the Indianapolis Colts essentially played without Shaquille Leonard as he was recovering from two back surgeries. He has said he feels great and better than he did at any point last year. But it remains to be seen if he can get back to his old form or if these surgeries have now impacted his abilities.

There was no question that prior to his injury he was on a Hall of Fame trajectory. But now, he’s considered an average linebacker. And if he’s average, is he still worth having on the roster with the rest of his liabilities? So, if the Indianapolis Colts select a linebacker early in the draft could it mean that the team has concerns about Leonard? Right now, the only other linebackers on the roster with experience in Gus Bradley’s defense are Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed.

Here are five linebackers the Indianapolis Colts could target in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon

Noah Sewell has a name that might sound familiar. His older brother, Penei Sewell, currently plays tackle for the Detroit Lions. They played together at Oregon, and Sewell’s uncles, Isaac Sopoaga and Richard Brown, played in the NFL. It’s not surprising to see Noah heading to the NFL.

But Sewell’s draft stock dropped this season. While he improved his tackle consistency, he still can slip off tackles and become a grab-and-drag tackler. He profiles more as a run-stopping middle linebacker. His coverage ability is lacking and is exposed by more athletic tight ends. And while he does have good speed (4.64 40-yard dash) he doesn’t have the recovery speed.

Now, he is an athletic middle linebacker who does have good instincts which allow him to be successful. One of the things that routinely shows up is just how good he is at shedding blocks. Sewell does have good size for an NFL linebacker and has long arms. Over the past two years, he has generated 36 QB hurries. So, he does bring the ability to rush the quarterback and he has good closing speed too.

Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Trenton Simpson looks like a linebacker, standing 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, with a chiseled frame. He played some inside and outside linebacker while at Clemson, where he showed off his athleticism. Some scouts are suggesting he’d be better served to play as an outside linebacker now while needing to add some weight and get better to stay on the inside. And his dad did 17 tours with the Army Rangers, for what it’s worth.

Simpson had a down year last season, which was disappointing considering the hype surrounding him heading into the season. He can be overaggressive on plays and create running lanes or cutback lanes. There are times when he drifts up into the mess unnecessarily and was able to get away with it in college because of his athleticism. This won’t be the case so much in the NFL. His pursuit angles aren’t the best and need work. Also, there are times when he fails to keep his legs moving and he turns into a grab-and-drag tackler.

Simpson has incredible speed (4.43 40-yard dash) for a linebacker. That is why he’s thought to be better suited for the OLB position. He is able to track down any ball carrier in all directions. And he’s an ideal guy to spy on quarterbacks. Considering more NFL defenses are utilizing nickel and dime defenses, Simpson’s speed and play recognition diagnosis are incredibly intriguing. Add in his great ability to change direction, thanks to his loose hips, he is able to thwart misdirection plays.

Drew Sanders, LB, Arkansas

Drew Sanders is new to the more traditional linebacker position, although it’d be hard to tell when you watch him. Before transferring to Arkansas, he was playing on the defensive line at Alabama as a stand-up rusher. At Alabama, his responsibilities were more of a defensive end than as a linebacker. Meaning, he wasn’t asked to be in coverage as much.

Sanders is a bit of a tweener, undersized for a defensive end (6-‘4″, 235) but too inexperienced to play linebacker. Not only that but he bites on play fakes, isn’t a consistent tackler, and is inconsistent in reading the keys on misdirection plays. Regardless of where he plays on defense, whether it’s with his hand on the ground or standing up, he will still need to add some weight and muscle. He also has only one year of experience of being a full-time starter.

However, his overall athleticism and potential development will be too hard for GMs to pass up. Currently, he is drawing comparisons to Tremaine Edmunds of the Chicago Bears. Sanders can line up as an inside linebacker or as an edge rusher. He has long arms, is rangy and explosive, and is a playmaker. His growth in playing coverage is good and leads scouts to think that he could be the MIKE in a Tampa-2 defense. He is fluid, can cover ground, and knows where the markers are.

Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane

If the Indianapolis Colts select Dorian Williams it could elicit memories of when they drafted Shaquille Leonard. Now, Tulane isn’t as small of a school as South Carolina State University but Williams could be another linebacker gem that GM Chris Ballard finds. Williams didn’t grade as high as Leonard did at the NFL Combine but Williams could end up being a pick that exceeds his draft day expectations.

At times Williams’ anticipation of the runners’ lane can be a bit slow and he has below-average point-of-attack strength and skill set. He is adequate in change-of-direction and moves well lately, but he doesn’t always get there. Despite Williams having 4.4 speed he lacks twitch as a pass rusher and isn’t great at threatening off the edge. He can be swallowed up by blocks at the second level, as evidenced by his game against Kansas State.

Now, he is a three-year captain so obviously there are leadership skills present. He is a wrap-up tackler in the hole and is able to sift through the traffic and find the ball carrier. Williams is good in zone coverage and fluid enough for man coverage. He is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker who has drawn some comparisons to Matt Milano. Williams has long arms and the aforementioned, good straight-line speed. Finally, he has adequate instincts that could improve more with better coaching and understanding of the defense and what the offenses will want to do against him.

DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas

DeMarvion Overshown is a former safety/cornerback turned linebacker. That’s not something you see everyday considering the needs of the positions. However, Overshown has made the conversion, and success has followed him. Although, with the change of position he is a bit raw at the linebacker spot.

Considering Overshown is a former secondary player it is very eye-popping that his coverage ability is so poor. Opposing quarterbacks had a rating of around 100 when targeting him. His size is a major problem for playing linebacker, while weight and muscle can be added that will take some time. In the meantime, the lack of size is a problem as he struggles to shed blockers once they get into him and he’s not great at taking on blocks either. He can blitz the quarterback but these skills are very raw and rely solely on his speed.

Speaking of his speed, he clocked a 4.56 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. And while he’s new to the linebacker position he did show very good growth from 2021 to 2022. He hustles downhill and trusts his eyes while displaying adequate patience to properly diagnose and process the play. Obviously, he has good awareness when dropping into coverage with his fluid hips and long arms. Finally, he has outstanding change-of-direction skills that are combined with impressive acceleration which allows him to shoot gaps.