A decade later and Ballard’s Colts are still chasing their white whale
TL;DR
Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts continue their decade-long search for an impactful defensive end, facing a history of disappointing draft picks. As they approach the 2026 draft, the team may consider selecting another DE despite past failures.
Key points
- Chris Ballard has been searching for a top defensive end for a decade.
- The Colts have a history of disappointing draft picks at the defensive end position.
- Laiatu Latu is a potential pick for the Colts in the upcoming draft.
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Q&A
What has been Chris Ballard's approach to drafting defensive ends for the Colts?
Chris Ballard has consistently used premium draft picks on defensive ends, but many of these selections have underperformed, leading to ongoing frustration.
Who are some of the defensive ends drafted by the Colts that have not met expectations?
Notable defensive ends like Tarell Basham, Tyquan Lewis, Kwity Paye, and Dayo Odeyingbo have been drafted by the Colts but have failed to live up to expectations.
Will the Colts draft Laiatu Latu in 2026, and what are the expectations?
The Colts may draft Laiatu Latu, but while he is seen as a potential improvement, there are doubts about whether he will finally fill the long-standing need for a top-performing defensive end.
