Who takes Ebukam’s starting spot?

After his stellar 2023 season, Ebukam seemed like a lock to fill one of the Colts’ two starting edge rusher positions. Now that he is out for the season, the Colts will have to alter that plan. I think the decision they should make is pretty clear.

The Colts used the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Latu worked with the Colts’ second-team defense through the first three training camp practices. It seemed the Colts were likely going to ease Latu into their rotation. However, with this injury to Ebukam, they will likely need to adjust to more of a trial-by-fire approach.

Latu was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football over the last two seasons. He spent nearly the entire offseason working on his craft, including attending the 2024 Sack Summit and working out with some of the best pass rushers in the NFL during his free time. Ebukam’s injury is a massive loss for the Colt’s defense, and I think one of the only ways the Colts can reasonably respond is by giving their 2024 first-round pick the keys to the job and hoping he catches on at the NFL level quickly.

Will the Colts respond by signing a free agent?

One of the most asked questions I’ve gotten since Ebukam’s injury was announced was which free-agent edge rushers the Colts could sign to fill the spot. Here are some of the more intriguing options still available on the free agency market that could make sense for the Colts.

• Carl Lawson
• Yannick Ngakoue
• Tyus Bowser
• Rasheem Green
• Ifeadi Odenigbo
• Shaq Lawson

While those players would be solid additions to the edge room, I don’t think the Colts should go that route. The immediate thought most have after an injury of this nature is how the team can replace that player with a free agent in the same position. In this situation, though, I think the Colts have solid depth already built in their edge room for them to adapt without a big signing. But I think it makes the Colts’ need at a weak spot on their roster even larger.

The Colts chose not to add a veteran safety this offseason , which I still believe is a massive mistake. And with the team now likely having to start Latu earlier than previously expected, they need to support their young edge rusher by solidifying their secondary. The Colts are currently banking on one of Nick Cross or Rodney Thomas II to take a large step forward as their starting FS after both struggled last season. Instead, it’s time the Colts fill their open roster spot with one of multiple starting caliber safeties who are still available on the free agency market.

Two popular names throughout Colts nation are former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons and former Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions safety Quandre Diggs. Both would drastically improve the team’s secondary and take pressure off the Colts’ young pass rushers for the upcoming season. If you ask me, the Colts’ first call should be to Justin Simmons and bring the former All-Pro safety to Indianapolis.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Former #Broncos safety Justin Simmons remains a top free agent, perhaps the best available. pic.twitter.com/aMwnmS2mLa

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 11, 2024

An opportunity for a young Colts player to land a roster spot

Anytime a starter goes down in training camp, it increases the odds for a fringe roster player in that position room to take hold of a roster spot ahead of the team, cutting down to 53 players. For the Colts, I believe that player is second-year edge rusher Isaiah Land.

The Colts claimed Land off of waivers last season after he couldn’t make the Dallas Cowboys’ initial 53-man roster. He spent most of his rookie season inactive on game days, only suiting up for seven games. Players can respond to this in multiple different ways. They can get angry and shut down, or they can focus on improving the mental and physical elements of their individual game/skill sets.

Land only logged 31 defensive snaps for the Colts, but he flashed the ability to win off the edge as a pass-rusher that he displayed in college at Florida A&M, leading to his 27 sacks over his last two seasons. Now, in his first training camp with the Colts, he will need to show that he has improved as a player and is ready and able to step up and be a rotational piece on the team’s defensive line. The opportunity is right in front of him, and we will have to wait and see what Land does with it.