Latest news with #Carlies
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' linebackers near the bottom of PFF's 2025 rankings
The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker unit ranks near the bottom of PFF's rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL season. The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker unit ranks near the bottom of Pro Football Focus' rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL season. PFF's Dalton Wasserman recently ranked all 32 linebacker units, and coming in at No. 31--just ahead of the Tennessee Titans--were the Colts. "The Colts' linebacker unit consists of one constant, Zaire Franklin, and a ton of variables. Franklin is a tackling machine who has posted identical 60.9 PFF overall grades in each of the past two seasons. For the moment, Jaylon Carlies is expected to start alongside Franklin, but he played just 242 snaps in his rookie season." As Wasserman noted, there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the linebacker room, and a lot of that stems from the overall lack of experience. After Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies and his 242 career defensive snaps makes him the next most experienced player at this position. Beyond Franklin and Carlies on the depth chart is Joe Bachie, who played under Lou Anarumo in Cincinnati, Segun Olubi, and Cameron McGrone. All three have been core special teams contributors in their careers. While on the outside, there are obvious questions around this unit, internally, the Colts are very bullish on Carlies, who was a sound tackler and held opponents to just 6.0 yards per catch in 2024, and as GM Chris Ballard noted earlier this offseason, Indianapolis has a strong track record of developing this position. 'We've had a lot of success at linebacker, I believe, with drafting and players we've brought in that we think can ascend,' Ballard said, via the Indy Star. 'We think (Jaylon Carlies) can really ascend.' One reason for optimism when it comes to the Colts' linebacker unit is Anaruom's defensive scheme and how he deploys this position group. With Carlies--a former college safety--bringing an added coverage element to the position, that could free up Franklin to play closer to the line of scrimmage more often, which is where he's at his best. In addition to that, while Carlies is inexperienced, he seems to be a very good fit for this new defense because of that coverage presence. Under Anarumo, there will be an emphasis on having coverage defenders on the field, especially on third downs in what Anarumo called a "matchup league." The more disguise-heavy scheme in the secondary can also create hesitation and keep an offense off balance, helping to put the linebackers in advantageous situations.
USA Today
23-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts position review after minicamp: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies and the LBs
With offseason programs now behind us, let's take a position-by-position look at where things stand for the Indianapolis Colts. Next up are the linebackers. With offseason programs now behind us, let's take a position-by-position look at where things stand for the Indianapolis Colts. Next up are the linebackers. If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below. After an All-Pro season, what's next for Zaire Franklin? Last season, Franklin made his first Pro Bowl, and he was also named a second-team All-Pro. Franklin led the NFL in tackles last season. He also forced four fumbles, which was tied for the second-most among all linebackers, and came away with two interceptions as well. Combined, the six forced takeaways were among the most at his position group. Now, like any player, there are areas of growth that still exist. Quarterbacks were efficient when targeting Franklin in coverage, and missed tackles--which comes with the territory when making as many as Franklin does--did pop up at times. According to PFF, Franklin missed 11.6% of his attempts, which ranked 24th out of 53 eligible linebackers. However, this new defensive scheme under Lou Anarumo could really benefit Franklin. For one, he's going to have more opportunities to get after the quarterback. In addition to that, with Anarumo relying more heavily on defensive backs, that can help take some of the coverage responsibilities off the linebackers' plates, not to mention that starting alongside of Jaylon Carlies--who played safety at Missouri--can add a coverage element alongside of Franklin. All of that should allow for Franklin to see more opportunities closer to the line of scrimmage, where he is at his best and can make the biggest impact. A big opportunity ahead for Jaylon Carlies As Carlies himself said, "everybody's competing," but on the outside, he is the presumed starter next to Franklin. A fifth-round pick in 2024, Carlies was the Colts' third linebacker last season and appeared in 10 games as a rookie, which also included missing time on injured reserve. Carlies proved to be a sound tackler, and he was very good at limiting opponents in coverage, holding pass catchers to only 6.0 yards per reception. His background as a former college safety makes him an ideal fit for Anarumo's defense where, as mentioned, there will be an emphasis on having coverage defenders on the field. 'It's a matchup league,' Anarumo said, via the Indy Star. 'If the offense puts out a certain personnel group, you want to be able to match it with what they're doing. Especially on third down. You want to try to get cover guys covering receivers and, nowadays, these tight ends … The days, to me, of putting linebackers on tight ends is not ideal for the defense.' With that said, with Carlies having just 242 career defensive snaps under his belt, he is still a relatively inexperienced player, and with that can come some ups and downs and he still navigates the NFL's learning curve. An inexperienced linebacker unit Outside of Franklin, this is a very inexperienced linebacker room that the Colts are going to be relying heavily on. Carlies' 242 career defensive snaps are the second most on the team right now. Joe Bachie has played 238, and Segun Olubi 136. With inexperience comes unknowns, but as GM Chris Ballard pointed out earlier this offseason, the Colts have a strong track record of developing the linebacker position. 'We've had a lot of success at linebacker, I believe, with drafting and players we've brought in that we think can ascend,' Ballard said, via the Indy Star. 'We think (Jaylon Carlies) can really ascend.' The Colts have gotten a good look at these players during offseason programs with Franklin sidelined with an ankle injury and Carlies out with a shoulder injury. Watch the special teams snaps Linebacker is a special teams-heavy position. Olubi, Bachie, and Cameron McGrone are all experienced in this regard, and that likely gives them an upper hand when it comes to competing for the final roster spots. Of course, there will be a prerequisite that these players have to meet from a defensive perspective, but how they perform on teams could be a differentiator when it comes to building out the depth chart order, and therefore playing time. Indianapolis Colts' linebackers
USA Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at linebacker
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at linebacker Indianapolis Colts, let's take a look at one big question facing each position group. Up next are the linebackers. The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed. So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the linebackers. Below you can find our previous position previews. Do the Indianapolis Colts have enough depth at linebacker? This was a position where throughout the offseason, I kept waiting for an addition to be made. That didn't mean I was expecting a high-profile addition, but I thought there would be some competition brought in for Jaylon Carlies. However, the only outside additions included signing Joe Bechie after the draft, who has mostly been a special teams player, signing UDFA Solomon DeShields, and perhaps drafting Hunter Wohler, although he is listed on the team site as a defensive back. Carlies put together a very solid rookie season as the Colts' third linebacker in their 4-3 scheme at that time, along with making two starts. He was a very reliable tackler and limited YAC in the passing game. As a former college safety, he can add some needed coverage abilities to the position. With that said, Carlies has 242 career defensive snaps. Assuming he can step into a full-time starting role seamlessly comes with some risk. Also, behind him and Zaire Franklin on the depth chart, there is very little defensive experience. 'It's a position we've been pretty good drafting and developing. I give our coaches and scouts a lot of credit for that," GM Chris Ballard said via the Indy Star. "Don't forget now, E.J. Speed, it wasn't like he came on right away. No, it took him a little time. Zaire Franklin did not come on right away. Great special team player but eventually became a linebacker that was a good player." In Lou Anarumo's scheme, we are going to see more blitzing from the linebackers, not to mention there will be more disguising of coverages at the second and third levels. In this defense, there will be a greater reliance on the defensive backs than the linebackers. But even so, the Colts are going to enter the 2025 season with question marks at this position--until shown otherwise--given the lack of experience around Franklin.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's 'most pressing question' for Indianapolis Colts after 2025 NFL draft
ESPN's 'most pressing question' for Indianapolis Colts after 2025 NFL draft What is one big question still facing the Indianapolis Colts after the 2025 NFL draft? ESPN weighs in. What is one big question still facing the Indianapolis Colts after the 2025 NFL draft? With the dust having settled, each of ESPN's NFL Nation reporters highlighted one question still facing each of their respective teams. For the Colts, Stephen Holder wonders if the Colts have done enough at the linebacker position. "The Colts waited until the seventh round to draft Wisconsin's Hunter Wohler, who is a safety the Colts intend to convert to linebacker," Holder wrote. "This is a vulnerable area for the Colts, who already had challenges in coverage down the middle of the field last season." It seemed to fly under the radar, but linebacker was one of the more pressing positions of need that the Colts had this offseason because there is a starting spot up for grabs with EJ Speed now in Houston. GM Chris Ballard has made it clear that the team likes what they have in second-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who did impress during his relatively limited playing time last season. Carlies, who was the third linebacker when the Colts were in their 4-3 base, proved to be a reliable tackler, and as a former safety, limited pass-catchers to only 6.0 yards per catch, per PFF. "When we took (Carlies) and moved him from safety to linebacker, we thought the transition was really, really good," Ballard said before the NFL draft via the Indy Star. However, Carlies also has just 242 career defensive snaps, so assuming that he can seamlessly transition into a starting role comes with some risk as well. In addition to liking the linebackers that they have on the roster, Ballard would also mention during the post-draft press conference that in Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme, there is really only a need for a Mike and a Will linebacker in that system. While that factor can potentially impact how many players on the roster the Colts keep at the position, it doesn't answer the question above about whether or not they are good enough at the starting spot. In Anarumo's defense, where versatility and disguising coverages are key elements, a lot can be put on the plate of the second and third-level defenders.
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Ballard on Colts linebacker position; how big of a need is it?
Chris Ballard on Colts linebacker position; how big of a need is it? GM Chris Ballard discussed the linebacker position in his pre-draft press conference. How big of a need do the Colts view it as? On paper, linebacker appears to be a good-sized need for the Indianapolis Colts. However, do the Colts view it as a pressing need? Based on GM Chris Ballard's pre-draft press conference, it doesn't sound like it. The reason that linebacker could be a somewhat big need is that the Colts lost EJ Speed and Grant Stuard in free agency. So, at a minimum, depth at this position should be added--although that probably doesn't reach the level of urgent. However, what is more urgent is the potential need to create competition for that starting role next to Zaire Franklin. Ballard said after the season ended that he wanted to infuse competition throughout the roster to help elevate the level of play overall. So, with that, assuming that Jaylon Carlies, who has 242 defensive snaps, can seamlessly transition into that starting role comes with some risk. But, with that said, the Colts really like what Carlies gave them last season. "When we took (Carlies) and moved him from safety to linebacker, we thought the transition was really, really good," Ballard said on Monday via the Indy Star. At the NFL Owners' meetings, Ballard would also call Carlies an "ascending" player. As a rookie making a position change in 2024, Carlies was immediately the Colts' third linebacker in their base 4-3 defense and started when Speed was injured. His coverage ability as a former safety was on display as he held opponents to only 6.0 yards per catch, according to PFF. Carlies was a willing tackler as well. Ballard would add that Carlies did have offseason shoulder surgery, but that he expects him to be ready for training camp. Beyond being optimistic about Carlies, the Colts also have a strong track record of developing the linebacker position. Franklin, Speed, and Stuard are just a few examples. That developmental ability as an organization could negate the need to spend an early-round pick on the position. 'It's a position we've been pretty good drafting and developing. I give our coaches and scouts a lot of credit for that," Ballard said. "Don't forget now, E.J. Speed, it wasn't like he came on right away. No, it took him a little time. Zaire Franklin did not come on right away. Great special team player but eventually became a linebacker that was a good player." Now, linebacker is still on Ballard's radar when it comes to the draft--the need isn't non-existent--but as we see mock drafts having the Colts spending a second-round pick on the position, I'm not sure that's in play for them. "We've got some young players we like, and we think the draft's got some good players," Ballard said. "So, we'll add some depth and competition hopefully in the draft.'
