The Indianapolis Colts added another body to the linebacker room in the form of Malik Jefferson on Wednesday.
The Colts have their starting duo at linebacker in Darius Leonard and Bobby Okereke after letting Anthony Walker Jr. sign with the Cleveland Browns in free agency this offseason.
Bringing in Jefferson, a prospect the Colts met with at the NFL combine back in 2018, will add some competition to the room behind the starting duo.
How he fits on the depth chart
The Colts employ nickel packages with only two linebacke#rs for the majority of their games. Okereke and Walker split snaps almost evenly in 2020—both playing roughly 67% of the snaps. Typically, the third linebacker will be on the field for 20-25% of the defensive snaps.
So with Jefferson now arriving, he will likely be competing with 2019 fifth-round pick E.J. Speed and Zaire Franklin for the LB3 role in the room. Franklin was fourth in the room in snaps at just 8.3% while Speed saw just one lone snap on defense in 2020 while he develops his game.
Jefferson has spent the majority of his snaps on special teams throughout his three seasons. Despite being a third-round pick, he’s shockingly only played 14 total snaps on defense but 527 career snaps on special teams.
If Jefferson makes the roster to begin the season, it will likely be in a role on special teams while competing for the LB3 spot behind Leonard and Okereke.
How he fits athletically
Jefferson fits exactly the mold the Colts look for in their linebackers. The Texas product is a straight-up athlete. Coming out of the 2018 draft, Jefferson recorded a 9.78 RAS with an elite speed grade, a great explosion grade and a good agility grade.
He fits the lengthy mold the Colts like in their linebacker as well with his 32-inch arms.
Injuries a concern
The Colts will have to monitor Jefferson’s injuries as they have been prevalent throughout his career. He finished his rookie season in 2018 on injured reserve (foot) and was on the injured reserve list with the Chargers this offseason before the new league year arrived with a shoulder injury.
Conclusion
Jefferson fits the mold of a lengthy, athletic linebacker with speed. He hasn’t had much experience on defense despite being a third-round pick, but he could see a lot of work on special teams while competing for a small role in the linebacker room behind starters Leonard and Okereke.
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