Colts Targets: 5 Biggest Winners From DL/LB Workouts

These five Indianapolis Colts targets stood out big time in their workouts on Thursday.

The Indianapolis Colts don't necessarily need a linebacker or a defensive lineman in this draft class (at least to start next year), but it never hurts to keep an eye on NFL Combine standouts.

The defensive linemen took to the field on Thursday and several players put on a show for media members and scouts in attendance. The Colts are always looking for athletic depth in the draft, so it is smart to keep track of players that hit the team's athletic thresholds. 

Here are five winners from the first day of workouts to keep an eye on for the Colts:

1.) Jared Verse, DE, Florida State

The lone big name that stood out from a Colts' perspective, that actually has a chance of being on the board at pick 15, is Jared Verse. The talented edge rusher hit the Colts' size thresholds at 6'3" 254 pounds with 33.5 inch arms. He also stood out in both the forty yard dash (4.58 seconds) and in the vertical (35") and broad (10'07") jumps as well.

Verse is a powerful pass rusher that would perfectly compliment what the Colts already have in their defensive line group. The potential issue with selecting him so high would be how to divvy out the snaps among the edge rushers, but that is a much easier problem to have than the alternative of not having enough talented rushers. Verse would be a swing on high potential in the trenches that Chris Ballard loves to take.

2.) Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

The Colts should have their eye on yet another Florida State alum in Braden Fiske. Fiske, and Indiana native, was the superstar of athletic testing on Thursday. He came in a little short on arm length for what the Colts typically like, but every other testing metric was insane. At 292 pounds, Fiske ran a blazing 4.78 second forty yard dash while also posting incredible numbers in the vertical (33.5") and the broad (9'09") jumps. 

Fiske is an interesting fit with the Colts, as his size likely moves him to 3-Tech in the NFL, but Ballard is a sucker for local players with elite athleticism. Fiske has killed this pre-draft process with outstanding marks at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine, so the Colts should absolutely have this ascending prospect on their radar come draft day.

3.) Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

The Colts are in desperate need of run-stuffing defensive tackle depth, and Orhorhoro could be the perfect option. The Clemson hit strong size numbers, coming in at 6'4" 294 pounds with 34 inch arms. He went ballistic in the testing drills as well, posting a 94th percentile forty yard dash time (4.89 seconds) with impressive vertical (32") and broad (9'08") jumps.

Orhorhoro would be an outstanding addition to the Colts this offseason, as he brings the explosiveness and the physicality that the Colts need on the interior. He would slide in as a developmental player at 1-Tech that could eat some snaps at 3-Tech behind DeForest Buckner as well.

4.) Jalyx Hunt, DE/LB, Houston Christian

Chris Ballard loves small schoolers with sky-high potential and Jalyx Hunt may be the perfect project to take. Hunt measured in with insane length (34.375" arms) to go with a solid 252 pound frame. He killed the athletic testing drills, running a 4.64 second forty yard dash to go along with one of the best vertical jumps (37.5") and broad jumps (10'08") of the entire day.

Hunt is a massive project that doesn't have a defined position at the next level (so far), but the traits are certainly there. The general manager that selected prospects like E.J. Speed and Titus Leo from small schools seems like the type that would love Hunt in this class.

5.) Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington

The biggest winner of the day for linebackers was Washington's Edefuan Ulofoshio. Ulofoshio posted great size metrics, for a modern day NFL linebacker, coming in at 236 pounds with 32.275 inch arms. His athletic testing was insane as well, posting a 4.56 second forty yard dash with impressive numbers in the vertical (39.5") and broad (10'08") jumps.

Ulofoshio fits the Chris Ballard mold of linebacker, and we all know his track record with that position. The athletic traits are there and the physicality pops on film, it really comes down to how bad Indy needs another linebacker in the room.

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