Arik Armstead | San Francisco 49ers | Age: 26
Armstead is an interesting case for the Colts. He could fit well in their one-gap front, which would ask him to pin his ears back and get upfield. But there are obvious risks in the former first-round pick.
While Armstead is certainly coming off of his best season, there are concerns that it may have been a flash in the pan. His 10 sacks were the most on the 49ers roster, but they were also more than the total number of sacks he recorded during his first four years in the league combined (9.0). Did he figure something out or is regression surely to hit? Was he a product of elite players being around him on the defensive line, leaving him with more one-on-one matchups? These are the questions that must be asked.
That being said, Armstead is a strong fit for the Colts. He has the size and strength to work both on the edge and kick inside—an aspect the Colts love in their defensive linemen. He’s still young enough to warrant a multi-year deal and if he really did figure things out, he could be a steady contributor for a pass rush that needs more consistency.