"Is he a defensive end or a linebacker?"

That was the first question that Colts fans asked when the Colts drafted Ben Banogu out of Texas Christian University (TCU) in the second round of this past NFL draft.

Banogu is arguably the biggest question mark out of all the Colts' 10 draft picks in the sense that fans and the Colts are unsure of what position he will play.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus loves versatility on his defense. He wants guys who can play multiple positions and that is what Banogu can do. He can play defensive end on obvious pass rush situations, plus may play the SAM linebacker position in a base 4-3 defense.

Here, we will look at what Banogu brings to the Colts defense, and how he can be an immediate impact player for the team.

Player Profile:

Size: 6'3", 250 pounds

2019 NFL Combine results:

40-yard dash: 4.62 (6th), Bench Press: 23 reps (9th), Vertical Jump: 40 inches (1st), Broad Jump: 134 inches (1st)

College Stats (Career): 156 total tackles, 98 solo, 20 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries

Banogu's rankings are based on the positional group he was in (EDGE).

The 134' Broad Jump is an NFL record at the Combine.

Banogu was a Third Team All-State player in McKinney, Texas, but didn't receive many college offers. He would commit to Louisiana-Monroe and receive the Sun Belt Conference's All-Newcomer Award as a redshirt freshman. He had 45 tackles, 14.5 for loss, and five sacks in 13 starts for the Warhawks.

After transferring to TCU, Banogu had to sit out one year due to transfer rules. In 2017, he would go on to have a stellar season for the Horned Frogs, recording 49 tackles, 16.5 for loss, and 8.5 sacks, as he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors, as well as Conference Defensive Newcomer of the Year. During his senior season at TCU, he was on the First Team All-Conference Team as he posted a team-high 18 tackles for loss. He also added 8.5 sacks to his 13 career starts that season.

Reese's Senior Bowl:

Colts general manager Chris Ballard is well-known for drafting players who attend the Reese's Senior Bowl and that proved to be no different in this year's draft. Second-round picks Rock Ya-Sin and Banogu both attended the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Ballard and his scouting department were very intrigued with Banogu going into the Senior Bowl and they weren't left disappointed.

At the Senior Bowl, Banogu played both defensive end and linebacker. Ballard was quoted with saying, "They couldn't block him at practice," and "I thought he was exceptional. He's got all the explosive, first-step movement that you want as either a rusher or linebacker." Ballard was clearly impressed by Banogu at the Senior Bowl.

Overview:

Banogu, whether as a linebacker or edge rusher, is an exceptional athlete. He was top 10 at his position at the combine in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, and broad jump. Ballard likes players who are freak athletes. While Banogu is still pretty raw from a technique and moves standpoint, he can still come in right away and provide pass rush in key passing situations.

While it is unclear where Banogu will line up on a game-to-game basis or even a play-to-play basis, it is clear he can make an impact on the edge for the Colts right away.

Here, we will look at some of his tape from last year, pointing out strengths and weaknesses of him playing both as a defensive end, and a linebacker.

Texas Film:

Get Off

Banogu is fast, athletic, and quick. In this first play, Banogu is in his favorite position, hand in the dirt, obvious pass situation, go get the quarterback. Coming out of his stance, Banogu explodes and is able to generate a great get-off when the ball is snapped. The great get-off at the line forces the quarterback to move up in the pocket, then take off and run and not convert the third down. That speed and explosiveness will have NFL teams worried about Banogu on the edge in pass situations.

In the second play, Banogu is standing up expecting a pass situation. He times the snap very well similar to the first play and beats the tackle off the ball. Just that glimpse of athletic ability from Banogu had the Colts very interested in him at the start. Banogu doesn't make the tackle, but that quick burst and get-off is something the Colts can use in their pass rush this season.

Pass Rush Moves

Banogu doesn't have an array of pass moves like Colts legends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis or even newly acquired Justin Houston, but he does have some flashes of moves. Here, Banogu sets up the right tackle as if he's going inside then ducks under and uses his quickness to get by the tackle. Banogu was very close to the sack, maybe even the forced fumble. Working with veterans Justin Houston and Jabaal Sheard will help Banogu learn and refine new pass rush moves as he enters the NFL.

On this play, Banogu uses very good hand technique to get himself free of the right tackle. He beats the right tackle with a swim move (still needs work) and actually gets held on the play. Banogu is still able to get right up and land a quarterback hit, and a wayward pass that ended up being incomplete on the play.

Stunt Moves

TCU did this a lot with Banogu on their defense last year and it was highly successful. Banogu starts on the right tackle, loops around, and is able to land a pretty clean shot on the quarterback. With Banogu's speed and athleticism, using him in stunt moves would really cause confusion to a defense. The Colts love to use stunt moves on their front four to generate a pass rush, so look to see Banogu thriving with the stunt moves in Indy this year.

West Virginia film:

Against the Run

The TCU defense was one of the best last year in the Big 12 Conference, but when they faced the then 9th-ranked team in the nation, they were lackluster at best. Here is one sample of Banogu playing well against the run and being able to read out the read option. Banogu is able to use a quick jab to free himself from the offensive lineman and make the right play on the ball in the backfield.

Read Option Recognition

For being an EDGE, Banogu showed some in the West Virginia game that he is able to make plays in the run game. Any defensive end in college would've just ran with the running back on this read option, allowing the quarterback to keep it. Not Banogu. Here, he reads the play, sees the running back has the ball and makes the tackle for a loss on the play.

Inside Pass Rush

Banogu primarily played on the outside at TCU, especially on the right side. Here is another situation he thrived at in college: third down, go get the quarterback. On this play, Banogu went inside to generate pass rush as TCU sent a nickel blitz. Banogu gives the offensive lineman a quick shoulder shimmy and blows right by him. Then, as previously stated, his athletic ability comes into play. He beats the lineman and with the closing speed is able to get to the quarterback quickly to force an incompletion.

Inside Move vs. Run

Before TCU got to that 3rd-and-long situation on the previous play, Banogu was able to setback the West Virginia offense on this run stop on first down.The play is drawn up the same as the previously shown play. Banogu lines up as a defensive end, but attacks inside as TCU brings a corner blitz from his side. Banogu is quick off the ball, is able to use his quick hands to get inside the offensive lineman, get in the back field and make the stop for a four-yard loss.The Colts could scheme up this same play with cornerback Kenny Moore blitzing off the edge and Banogu attacking inside.

Texas Tech film:

Play In Space

Against Texas Tech, Banogu made a few eye-catching plays. Here, he originally was going to do a stunt move to attack the middle of the offensive line, but the EDGE pressure had the quarterback escape the pocket. Banogu drops back into a "spy" position to watch the quarterback, then sees him break the pocket and races him down on the sideline for a three-yard loss and a turnover on downs for Texas Tech. This play shows that with Banogu's speed and athleticism, he can drop back to be a "spy" and make plays on scrambling quarterbacks.

Get Off

Here is another play where Banogu's get-off is flashed. Not only does he have a good get-off, he isn't faked out by the read option on the play, and he's able to get the tackle on the quarterback. Banogu is three yards in the backfield before the fake is made. He could've easily just tackled the running back, but he doesn't. He reads the fake and shows off the 4.62 speed to make a shoelace tackle on the quarterback for only a three-yard gain.

Closing Speed

Being able to close on the football quickly is key in the NFL, especially for a defensive end. Here, Texas Tech runs a gadget play where it is a toss to the running back, who's actually supposed to pass. Banogu is able to break up that play immediately. No. 24 for Texas Tech isn't able to land a block on Banogu and that allows him to use his absurd speed at defensive end to force the running back to throw with no time, forcing an incompletion.

Iowa State film:

Stunt Move

Another stunt move here from TCU. Here, Banogu comes around unblocked ready to get the quarterback, but whiffs on the sack. This play shows both flashes of greatness, and a flash of what he needs to work on. Obviously, the stunt flashes his speed and athletic ability, but what shouldn't be lost in this play is Banogu goes high on the quarterback and doesn't break down to make the sack. Banogu must improve his breakdown in tackling or mobile quarterbacks will shake him off more times than not.

Inside Pass Rush

Banogu flashes more of what could be a good pass-rush skill set. He sets up the tackle as if he is going outside, then uses his hands to make sure the lineman doesn't get a hand on him. He gets inside the tackle and almost gets to the quarterback. Another second and Banogu is there for the sack. This play just highlights what he could do as a pass rusher with his quick hands and athletic ability.

Touchdown Play

Banogu's lone college touchdown. But how did he get to recover the fumble? He's able to bend underneath the offensive lineman and get to the ball after it is knocked out. Banogu knows what to do with the ball when he gets it: scoop and score. Hopefully, Colts fans get to see this sometime next season.

Cal film:

Stunt Move

Another situation in a game TCU uses Banogu on a stunt move. Almost every time TCU did this, Banogu was able to at least affect the pocket of the quarterback. Cal is able to see the stunt coming from Banogu and is ready for it, but Banogu uses his shiftiness and quick hands to get around the center and get to the quarterback. He didn't get the sack, but he applied pressure from up the middle and it forced the quarterback to get the ball out quickly.

Closing Speed

Banogu's closing speed is eye-popping. Here, he is playing outside linebacker in the TCU base 3-4 defense. Banogu reads the play-action fake, sees the quarterback evade the pocket and goes right for him. When Banogu is ask to just run and not think, his speed is really shown and that's the case here. The quarterback had little to no time to look for an open receiver before Banogu was in his face. With Banogu playing on the edge in the Colts' 4-3 defense, that closing speed can mean a lot when a quarterback leaves the pocket.

Stand Up vs .Run

Here, again, Banogu is standing up as the outside linebacker in the TCU defense. For Banogu to have an impact in the run game, he has to get underneath the offensive lineman because of his lack of strength. Of course, on this play, he's standing up, which allows the offensive lineman to stand him up and knock him off the line of scrimmage five yards, taking him out of the play. If Banogu wants to start at SAM linebacker in the Colts' 4-3 defense, he must be better at getting off blocks in the run game.

Baylor film:

Backside Containment

This play speaks for itself. Having backside containment in the NFL is really important in making sure plays don't get bounced back outside on a defense. Banogu sits on the hash mark for backside containment, and when the play is reversed back to him he is still there to make the play for a massive loss. Last year, the Colts at times struggled to keep backside containment. Banogu will be able to fill that hole as soon as he steps on the field. Also, being able to track down a quick wide receiver in the open field like that is very impressive.

Motor and Effort

First off, Banogu shows great bend on this play to get underneath the offensive lineman. Banogu bending and turning the corner on the offensive tackle allowed for him to get that sack. Eberflus preaches effort on every play and Banogu brings it. On this play, he's rewarded for it. Even with the quarterback leaving the pocket, he still gets after it and eventually gets the sack to force a third and long. Effort is something you can't teach. It's something that you have to have from within, and Banogu has that.

Same game, another example of Banogu's effort and constant motor. Hand in the dirt, third down and long, he's rushing the quarterback and almost gets the sack. After the quarterback leaves the pocket, he chases him down from 10 yards away and almost gets the tackle from behind. Banogu will never quit on a play and for someone that athletic, that's a major plus in his game.

Stunt Moves

Three seperate occasions TCU used Banogu in a stunt move vs. Baylor and all three times Banogu landed a quarterback hit. Here, he is patient, allowing his other defensive linemen to take up blocks to free him up. He then turns the corner and lands a big hit on the quarterback, forcing a rushed throw and an incomplete pass.

Here we go again. Another stunt move. This time he goes right after the quarterback. The immediate pressure up the middle forces a bad throw by the quarterback that gets intercepted. With how fast, athletic and quick Banogu is, using him on stunt moves is the best way to go early on as he learns new pass rush moves when he's on the edge.

This stunt was different than the other two previous plays. One, he is lined up on the left side instead of the right. Two, the offensive lineman was ready for him on the play. Three, he breaks down and gets what would be a good hit on the quarterback. When he goes in for the stunt, he is too quick for the interior offensive lineman and blows right by him untouched. He is then able to get to the quarterback and get a good hit on him. The Colts should line Banogu up all over the defensive line and set him up with stunt moves to confuse the offensive line all game.

Pro Comparison:

There really isn't a single player who Banogu directly compares to in the NFL. From an EDGE/outside linebacker standpoint, there are a lot of similarities to Bruce Irvin in how either from standing up or hand in the dirt, they can both get after the passer with some good rush moves. There's also a little bit of comparison between Banogu and Dont'a Hightower in how they both can play defensive end, plus play multiple linebacker spots.

Conclusion:

Banogu is the ultimate wild card in this Colts draft class. He can play multiple positions: defensive end, linebacker, EDGE and interior defensive line. Where Banogu lines up on a game-to-game and play-to-play basis will be very intriguing in the Colts defense.

Now, this year, adding Banogu will give the Colts versatility to line him up wherever they want with his athletic ability and speed playing all over the field. Colts fans should be the most excited for their second-round draft pick, Banogu, going into this season.