The Indianapolis Colts have failed to find a regular, dominant edge rusher since Robert Mathis tore his Achilles after finishing second in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2013.
Mathis had the most sacks off the edge in Colts history that season, with 19.5.
From 2002 to 2013, the Indianapolis sack leader was either Dwight Freeney or Mathis, both members of the Colts Ring of Honor. Only four times during that time did Indianapolis’ team-high sack total fall below ten. In the 11 seasons afterward, the Colts’ defensive pressure leader has only recorded 10 or more sacks twice.
Indianapolis attempted free-agent signings such as Erik Walden, Jabaal Sheard, Denico Autry, Justin Houston, and Samson Ebukam. The Colts attempted trades for players such as Yannick Ngakoue. They’ve even attempted to fix the problem with long-term draft investments, such as Jonathan Newsome and Kwity Paye.
No one has solved the problem for more than a season or two. Paye presently leads Indianapolis with 5.5 sacks, and the Colts’ 25 total sacks rank lower than 14 NFL organizations and tie with six others.
Bleacher Report wants to see that change, and they feel Georgia’s Mykel Williams could be the answer for Indianapolis in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Overall, the Bulldog’s traits are worth betting on for a team that uses a lot of even fronts and is looking for a hand-in-the-ground defensive end,” noted Matt Holder in his scouting report. “But he’ll likely take a year or two to flesh out his game and become an impact, every-down player.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams is the 24th-ranked prospect and third-best edge rusher in the 2025 class. Williams has appeared in 36 games for the Bulldogs in three seasons, totaling 11 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 57 stops, and two forced fumbles.
Williams’ athleticism is what draws people to him, as he stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 265 pounds. The youngster is a 2022 National Champion and might bring a winning attitude to the Colts, who have only made the playoffs three times in the last decade.
According to Bleacher Report’s scouting staff, he is expected to be drafted in the early second round, similar to former top-five pick Ezekiel Ansah. During his NFL career, the former Detroit Lions Pro Bowler racked up 50.5 sacks in 74 starts, with a high of 14.5 in 2015.
