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EspañolESPN analyst Aaron Schatz is projecting that the Indianapolis Colts make a splash in free agency, signing defensive end Bradley Chubb.
"The Dolphins cut Chubb to clear money off their salary cap, but he is still just 30 years old," wrote Schatz. "He had 8.5 sacks last season with 36 pressures."
Chubb was the fifth overall pick by Denver in the 2018 NFL draft. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2022.
He has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Dolphins after being traded to Miami in 2022.
Chubb missed the 2024 season due to an ACL injury, but this past year, he played nearly 800 defensive snaps, logging 48 pressures and eight sacks, according to PFF. Those 48 pressures were tied for 28th among his position group.
His most productive season came in 2023, when Chubb recorded 70 quarterback pressures.
Defensive end is the biggest need that the Colts have to address this offseason. There was too much inconsistency when it came to getting after the quarterback, as evidenced by the Colts' ranking 30th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric.
In addition to that, Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents.
After the season, GM Chris Ballard said that "more fuel" was needed up front, referencing the pass rush. At the NFL combine, Ballard said that the front seven would be prioritized.
"The draft we think it's good on the defensive side of the football, especially in the front seven," Ballard said. "But it's a definite area that we need to address."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Indianapolis Colts urged to sign DE Bradley Chubb