The Indianapolis Colts continue to use their top 30 visits this draft cycle to host a large variety of positions ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
This week, they hosted Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Kneeland started his college career in 2020 and spent his entire career at Western Michigan University. He recorded 149 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks during his time at Western Michigan. He saved his best for last, setting new career highs last season with 57 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. Not that this stat means much towards his elevation, but he also recorded his first and only offensive touchdown on a goal-line carry. He has seen his draft stock rise quite a bit during this cycle. Many viewed him as a late-2nd to mid-3rd round selection directly following the college season. And as you saw in Garafollo's tweet above, there is belief that he could go as high as the end of the 1st round.
His lack of true gamer-wrecking stats at a smaller school like Western Michigan is worrisome, but he did miss a total of five games over the last two seasons with a calf and elbow injury. He's on the smaller side for an NFL edge rusher at 6'3" but weighed in at a solid 267 LBs, and offers incredible length with 34.5" arms. That length is a big part of his game on tape, with him not possessing next-level speed or bend off the edge. Kneeland's speed testing at the Scouting Combine was better than I expected, to be honest, with his 4.75 40-yard dash being an above-average time for an edge rusher, according to RAS. While he doesn't have elite speed, he did display great explosiveness with his 35.5 vertical and 9'1" broad jump.
I agree with others on the sentiment that Kneeland's best football is in front of him, and his athleticism scores at the Scouting Combine lead me to think his ceiling as a prospect is significantly higher than I initially thought. But I didn't see a player on tape that I'd be willing to spend a 1st round pick on. For the Colts, specifically, I obviously don't think he is an option at pick 15. I do think he's a player that could be intriguing on day two. He most likely won't make it to the Colts 3rd round pick, but he is potentially a player the Colts are interested in with their 2nd round pick.
More must-reads: