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Colts Add Star Defensive End in NFL Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 2:20 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts had a turbulent 2025 NFL season, experiencing tremendous highs and difficult lows. The Colts were off to a blazing start to begin the season, posting a record of 8-2 by the time of their Week 11 bye. With quarterback Daniel Jones providing steady leadership, running back Jonathan Taylor in MVP discussions and team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon receiving praise for her sideline management, Indianapolis was arguably the hottest team in the NFL.

Things flipped for the Colts once they returned from their bye week break. The Colts lost their next two games, and in their Week 14 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they lost Jones to a torn Achilles. After an exceptional start to the season, Indianapolis would go on to lose the rest of its games, finishing the year No. 3 in the AFC West with an 8-9 record.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones moves along the sideline on a scooter ahead of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network

Defensive woes were a large part of the Colts' drop-off in the second half of the year. Indianapolis finished in the bottom ten in passing yards allowed per game, at 349.8, No. 21 in points allowed per game at 24.2, and finished middle of the pack at No. 15 in sacks with 39. The Colts may be looking to address their pass rush heading into free agency, and one of the top available defensive linemen is projected as the best fit available.

Trey Hendrickson was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft at No. 103 overall. The defensive end has made a name for himself, first breaking onto the scene with a 13.5-sack season with the New Orleans Saints in 2020. The Cincinnati Bengals took notice of Hendrickson’s production and signed him in free agency the next season. Hendrickson’s production only improved with the Bengals, reaching 14 sacks in his first season with the team, along with back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. Hendrickson has solidified himself as one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL.

ESPN released its ultimate free agency preview, which included a best-fit projection for available free agents. When it came to Hendrickson, ESPN predicted that the Florida Atlantic product would be the best fit for the Colts.

"Colts general manager Chris Ballard could make a splash move in landing the top free agent on our board," says ESPN. "And Hendrickson would reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, his former coach in Cincinnati, to boost the pass rush opposite Laiatu Latu. In seven games last season with the Bengals, Hendrickson had four sacks -- but his 17.5 sacks in 2024 ranked No. 1 in the league. The Colts finished with 39 sacks last season, tied for 15th in the NFL. Adding to the defensive front should be a priority for win-now Indianapolis."

NFL free agency for the 2026 offseason officially begins on March 11 at 4 PM ET, but teams can start negotiating with players on Monday at noon ET

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