Two NFC North teams were named as “potential landing spots” for Indianapolis Colts’ free agent defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus recently named the best landing spots for some of the top free agent defensive linemen this offseason. For Odeyingbo, Cameron selected the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.
Cameron notes that with the Lions, after losing Aidan Hutchinson to injury, the Detroit pass rush ranked 27th in team pass rush grade. With the Packers, said Cameron, Odeyingbo profiles well off the edge in Green Bay’s 4-3 scheme.
Odeyingbo led the Colts in pressures last season. In year’s past, him returning to Indianapolis would be a near-given.
However, if GM Chris Ballard does intend to add competition throughout the roster this offseason, there are a number of other position groups that are a greater priority than at defensive end where the Colts still have Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis.
This will be one of the bigger challenges this offseason for Ballard with the Colts not having an abundance of capital to bolster their roster. They currently rank 18th in cap space and have seven draft picks.
Unless Ballard intends to go restructure-heavy to create more cap room, he will have to be selective about which positions he prioritizes adding to in free agency. This isn’t to say Odeyingbo can’t return but tight end, cornerback, safety, and the offensive line with Will Fries a free agent are all being bigger needs than defensive end.
