Until the Indianapolis Colts go through free agency, there isn’t a clear position that Chris Ballard needs to target in the upcoming NFL draft.
Free agency should help clear up some question marks surrounding the roster and one area on the defense that can end up becoming a big need is the one-technique defensive tackle position—if the team doesn’t re-sign Grover Stewart.
I am in the camp that Stewart has to be brought back in 2024 but even with him on the roster, Ballard should keep one-tech defensive tackles on his radar in the draft.
Stewart will be turning 31 during the upcoming NFL season so he doesn’t have much tread on his tires left. If Ballard re-signs him, then it will likely come on a 2-3 year deal so the future of his spot has to be kept in mind this offseason.
While Stewart has been very durable in his career, his six-game suspension in 2023 showed that the defense looks drastically different when he isn’t in the lineup. There needs to be quality depth beyond him if he were to miss time for any reason in 2024.
Here are five defensive tackle prospects that Ballard can target for the one-tech role in the draft:
1
T'Vondre Sweat, Texas
Current Draft Projection: Day 2
T’Vondre Sweat is a massive defensive tackle prospect who was listed as 6-foot-4 and 362 pounds in his final season at Texas. In his final year, he finished with 45 tackles (18 solo), eight TFLs, two sacks, and four pass defenses. Sweat’s initial burst combined with his play strength help make him a dominant force in run defense. He handles double teams well and can effectively play in passing situations with his bull rush.
#Texas T'Vondre Sweat (#93) has such a rare mix of power and quickness for a player his size (350+ lbs?). Eager to see him in 1v1s tomorrow at practice.
SB measurements: 6042, 33 5/8" arms, 10 3/8" hands. No weight listed. pic.twitter.com/AKkyu3Xu9K
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 30, 2024
2
McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
Current Draft Projection: Day 2
McKinnley Jackson is coming off an impressive Senior Bowl performance where he was measured at 6-foot-1 and 331 pounds. In his final season at Texas A&M, he tallied 27 tackles (10 solo), five-and-a-half TFLs, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Jackson is a powerful athlete who is versatile enough to play across the trenches in the interior of the defensive line. He has a variety of pass-rush moves in his bag so he can stay on the field in third-down situations.
Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson is such a problem for interior lineman because of how low to the ground he plays and how quick he is off the ball. Could see him being an early impact Day 2 pick pic.twitter.com/geze1E2ICA
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) December 15, 2023
3
Khristian Boyd , Northern Iowa
Current Draft Projection: Day 2-3
Khristian Boyd turned some heads in the All-Star season after getting called up from the Hulu Bowl to the East-West Shrine Bowl. He measured at 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds at the Shrine Bowl. In his final year at Northern Iowa, he registered 43 tackles (17 solo), six-and-a-half TFLs, and three-and-a-half sacks. Boyd is a powerful athlete whose explosiveness helps create leverage in run defense and setting up his pass-rush moves.
#UNI DL Khristian Boyd built upon a strong Day 1 by blowing up a couple run plays on Day 2 of East practice at the #ShrineBowl. Powerful hands but showing the ability to 2 gap as a run defender as well. Definitely going to check out his tape during the upcoming week. pic.twitter.com/DGRdfw6ye4
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) January 28, 2024
4
Jordan Jefferson, LSU
Current Draft Projection: Day 3
Jordan Jefferson is coming off his best college season after transferring to LSU from West Virginia. In his lone year playing SEC football, he finished with 36 tackles (13 solo), seven TFLs, two-and-a-half sacks, a pass defense, and a forced fumble. At the Senior Bowl, he measured at 6-foot-2 and 323 pounds. Jefferson is primarily a run defender who thrives with his play strength and a quick first step that gets him to fill gaps to disrupt plays.
LSU DT Jordan Jefferson has not gotten near the credit he deserves this season. Was a bulldozer Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/KaZODfJ7fM
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) November 20, 2023
5
Evan Anderson, FAU
Current Draft Projection: Day 3
Evan Anderson is another defensive tackle prospect who put on a good showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl despite it not leading to an invite to the NFL combine. At the game, he was measured at 6-foot-0 and 319 pounds. In his last season at FAU, he tallied 58 tackles (21 solo), five-and-a-half TFLs, three-and-a-half sacks, a pass defense, and a fumble recovery. Anderson is a stout run defender who can clog rushing lanes and can handle double teams to allow linebackers to make a play on the ball.
Florida Atlantic IDL Evan Anderson (@FAUFootball)
Was 356 pounds a year or so ago. Now down to 319 at @ShrineBowl and causing problems. Very hard to move. pic.twitter.com/QB1CYheMP4
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) January 30, 2024
