Insider: Don't sleep on Colts' upgraded defensive line

Stephen Holder | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption Colts players describe Johnathan Hankins as 'big, stout, athletic, agile, a huge dude' Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson talk about newly acquired defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins.

INDIANAPOLIS – With apologies to Johnathan Hankins, we’re not quite ready to proclaim the Colts have “probably the best defense in the AFC.”

That’s a direct quote from Indianapolis’ new star defensive lineman, uttered during an interview last month on NFL Network. It was a premature statement made about a defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed last season, though you have to give Hankins points for sheer audacity.

Hey, what good are goals if they’re easily attainable?

At the same time, Hankins’ unit is one that many are sleeping on. The Colts defensive line, while certainly not yet proven, has some legitimate potential.

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Much of the projected success depends on key players returning to form after injuries and free agents finding their roles and having an immediate impact. But if you’re willing to play the “what if” game, there’s much to be optimistic about in what should be one of the team’s most competitive units come training camp.

“If they come back and everybody is healthy, we’re going to probably say goodbye to some guys that’ll end up getting picked up and probably be in a rotation or be starting somewhere (else),” coach Chuck Pagano said. “I think that’s where we’re at right now. That could happen. We’re going to have to say goodbye to some good players because there are a lot of good players there right now, some guys who have potential and have played good football.”

Pagano is right. The over/under on defensive linemen on the Colts’ final roster is six, and when you start putting the pieces in place, spots fill up fast.

>> Hankins, a remarkably athletic lineman signed in March from the New York Giants, will be the centerpiece of the line.

>> Henry Anderson, who is healthy once again, is trying to recapture the impressive performance of his 2015 rookie season.

>> Kendall Langford, who is still rehabbing a knee, is hoping to return to form after an injury-plagued 2016 season.

>> The Colts are excited about the promise of second-year player Hassan Ridgeway, who showed real flashes late in his rookie season.

>> A group including fourth-round pick Grover Stewart, free agent signings Margus Hunt and Al Woods and returnees T.Y. McGill and David Parry could be left fighting for the remaining spots.

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When you factor in the time missed by Anderson and Langford last season, this unit is almost completely different from 2016. And that’s a good thing given last season's soft defensive front.

Clearly, the optimism here is justified. And, not surprisingly, much of that traces back to Hankins, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract.

Even in offseason workouts, which are conducted without pads, Hankins has made quite the impression, Anderson said. Asked how he could determine this without the benefit of contact practices, Anderson said, “He’s a huge dude, and for as explosive as he is, I mean you don’t see that with many guys that big. So, just kind of the pop that he comes out of his stance with is pretty impressive, and I’m sure that’s going to kind of translate once we put pads on.”

If the Colts are right about their expectations for this defensive line, they should certainly enjoy more success in their run defense. That’s been a long-running problem in Indianapolis; the Colts allowed 120.4 rushing yards per game last season, 25th in the NFL.

But there also could be a less-obvious benefit to improved performances from the interior of the defense. It could provide a tangible boost to the pass rush, something the Colts need in the worst way. Remember, while the addition of a player like Jabaal Sheard will help, the Colts still lack a dominant pass rusher. Getting to quarterbacks is still going to be very much a group effort for this unit.

Hankins is a player the Colts can feature up front, putting him in position to use his quickness to create a pocket push that could have a considerable impact on quarterbacks.

“He has some wiggle to him,” Langford said of Hankins. “He’s agile. He can get to the quarterback. I’m excited to line up beside him and play.”

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Langford himself could be a factor if healthy. His seven sacks in 2015 — his last full season — were a career high. The 3-4 defensive end spot takes better advantage of Langford's pass-rush ability than other schemes he's played in.

Stewart, an untested fourth-round pick, had 27 sacks in college but seems more likely to play nose tackle and be more of a run stopper. The remaining linemen have varying degrees of athleticism that should allow them to provide some pass-rush contributions.

“I feel like we’re ahead of where we’ve ever been as far as guys being able to not only play well against the run but also give you some pass rush on passing downs,” Pagano said of his linemen.

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That’s not Hankins-level confidence, but it’s certainly a sign the Colts think this group is a cut above those that have come before it.

Or, as Hankins put it in the aforementioned interview, “I feel like we’ll be real dominant out there.”

Either way, the point remains the same: Keep an eye on the Colts defensive line.

If this defense ever reaches the benchmarks Hankins set forth, it will likely be because the defensive line led the way.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter and Facebook.

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