When the Indianapolis Colts enter free agency in the middle of March, there are many hoping that Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue will be available.
Even though we still have a little over a month until the new league year begins, there will be a handful of players potentially receiving the franchise tag. Ngakoue is one of those candidates.
If the Jaguars do slap the franchise tag on the 24-year-old, the Colts won’t get a chance to pursue him. There is a report that the two sides are heading that way, but everything should be taken with a grain of salt until its official.
Ngakoue certainly is a prime candidate to get the tag if the Jaguars can’t come to an agreement with their stud pass rusher. All teams are eligible to place the franchise tag on a player on Feb. 25 and have until March 10 to do so.
The Colts are in need of pass rush help and while they need it more on the interior, adding a consistently productive asset like Ngakoue would help the defense indubitably.
The former third-round pick has been solid for the Jaguars during his four-year stint. He’s had 37.5 sacks during that span, the 12-most in the NFL. His 85 quarterback hits since entering the league in 2016 are the eighth-most in the league.
The Colts have a promising group of pass rushers. Veteran Justin Houston is in his final year of his current deal while young pass rushers Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu will have the chance to develop into roles along the defensive line.
Being able to add a talent like Ngakoue would instantly give the Colts more production against the quarterback. However, the Jaguars could stifle any and all of those plans by applying the franchise tag.
The Colts have some big needs entering this offseason. Adding a guy like Ngakoue would help in a big way.
That is if they get the chance to.