INDIANAPOLIS – After trading back in Round Six on Saturday, the Colts took their first defensive lineman of the 2020 Draft.
With the 193rd overall pick in the draft, the Colts chose Penn State defensive lineman Robert Windsor in Round Six.
Here are 3 takeaways on Windsor:
1. Three-Technique Fit
At 6-4 and 290 pounds, Windsor primarily played the three-technique defensive tackle position in Penn State’s defense. Windsor started 25 games and finished his career with 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Pundits often praised the ‘motor’ of Windsor, which is a staple for what the Colts are seeking in defensive players. After a big junior season with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, Windsor had just 5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a senior. Windsor brings some nice short-area quickness, which tends to be another thing that the Colts look for with their defensive linemen. Windsor played a little 1-technique at Penn State, then weighing 315 pounds, before dropping down to 280 at one point.
2. Defensive Line Gets Some Attention
You knew Chris Ballard wasn’t going to get out of an entire draft without taking a defensive lineman. The Colts have now taken at least one defensive linemen in 14 straight drafts. Entering the draft though, the defensive line need for the Colts was not as high on the list as we’ve seen in previous years. The team lost just Jabaal Sheard in free agency from the defensive line. They, of course, traded for DeForest Buckner and signed Sheldon Day in free agency. To some, defensive line might have had the purest depth of any position group on the roster.
3. Making The Team
As we get into the final two rounds of the draft, any Colts’ pick is going to have a somewhat steep climb to make the team. That’s how the Colts roster has improved in four years under Chris Ballard. In 2019, all three picks in Rounds 6 and 7 failed to make the final roster. For Windsor, it’s not going to be easy. At defensive tackle, you have DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Denico Autry, Sheldon Day and Tyquan Lewis. Now, Autry and/or Lewis might be needed to play some early-down defensive end in 2020. Still, it’s hard to see the Colts keeping 5 defensive tackles. If they do, and Windsor wants to be one of those guys, he is going to have to show some versatility up front.
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