Colts Sign Former Browns DT Taven Bryan
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Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts have been abnormally active within the first few days of free agency. That continued on Wednesday with another outside signing.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Colts are signing former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Taven Bryan to a one-year, $4.5 million deal. Bryan becomes the third outside-free agent the Colts have signed in this cycle.
Bryan was a first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Florida. Bryan was used as a rotational piece with the Jaguars, failing to lock down a starting spot on their defensive line. In four years with the Jags, Bryan tallied 86 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 63 games.
Bryan took his talents to the Browns in 2022, where he had his best season up to this point. Bryan cracked the starting lineup and started all 16 games in which he appeared. He finished with 26 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two tackles for loss.
Bryan comes to the Colts to provide depth along the defensive line. At 6'5" and 291 pounds, Bryan projects to play the three-technique in Gus Bradley's defensive scheme. The defensive lineman will likely back up former All-Pro DeForest Buckner on the interior of the line.
When looking at his game, Bryan is more of a pass-rushing interior defensive lineman than a run-stopper. He registered a 61.3 pass-rushing grade according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 48th in the NFL among interior pass rushers. However, his run defense grade of 58.6 ranked 61st in the NFL at his position.
Bryan brings quality depth to the interior of the Colts' defensive line. Indy has already re-signed defensive end Tyquan Lewis and signed defensive end Samson Ebukam from the San Francisco 49ers over the past few days as they solidify the group.
Ballard always says you can never have enough pass rushers, and the Colts are proving that to be true as they continue to load up on pass-rushing talent.
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