Colts NFL Draft Prospect Rumors: Defense

Louisville DL/EDGE Yaya Diaby
Reported Visit: Formal Combine

Diaby is a player on the rise with most draft boards and looks to be a Day Three draft pick in April after a stellar combine where he shined in all the drills. Colts did sign some defensive line depth in free agency but this is a position that GM Chris Ballard covets and will not hesitate to keep plentiful. He has great size and recorded nine sacks at Louisville last year. Even with them adding Ebukam in free agency, and (most likely) losing Ngakoue, Diaby would be a nice rotation player.  Diaby has also (reportedly) taken meetings with the Falcons and Ravens.

Georgia CB Kelee Ringo
Reported Visits: Combine and Private Pro Day

This top 30 visit isn’t a surprise for the franchise. Ringo does have a first round grade but with the Indianapolis having an early 2^nd round pick this might be one of the prospects they are targeting if he falls out of the first round. CB is very deep at the top this year and with Ringo only having two years of college ball and he’s not the most physical DB in the class he might slip into the top of the second round.

Kansas State CB Julius Brents
Reported Visit: Combine

Colts traded away Stephon Gilmore to Dallas and lost Brandon Facyson to Las Vegas, leaving them with only 3 full time DBs on the roster. The roster is thin at that area now and Brents could solve that problem for them. Brents is an oversized CB at 6’4 and had a great combine. Many scouts believe that a strong NFL comp for Brents is former Seahawk DB Richard Sherman. Both were great size and long arms along with a high football IQ.

Florida LB Ventrell Miller
Reported Visit: Private Top 30

Miller is a wanted man this upcoming draft. He has met with a reported 7 teams in the past week even without participating in the combine, while recovering from an injury. He was the defensive captain this past season for the Florida defense and was a notable voice in the locker room. The Colts do need to replace the departed LB Bobby Okereke and with Ballard’s past history of drafting productive linebackers, Miller will be one name to watch in the middle of the draft.

UAB CB Starling Thomas V
Reported Visit: Private Top 30

Could Chris Ballard be tipping his hand on the status of Kenny Moore with the interest in Starling Thomas? He is a nickel cornerback and can play special teams as well. He has incredible speed clocking a 4.28 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He has a 4^th round projection but his stock is rising. With the impending contract extension window looming for DB Kenny Moore, Thomas would provide great insurance and he will have plenty of time to develop.

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