Who do you guys like for edge rusher in this draft?

[FatDT]

I won't pretend to be a draft expert. I can watch college tape and read articles just like anybody with an internet connection. That said, our last GM proved that having a job evaluating talent for an NFL team, and the resources that provides, doesn't make you good at it.

My general thought, especially with our coaching staff, is that I'd much rather draft an NFL-ready prospect than a "tools" project. We don't have the proven staff to develop a player like that, nor do we have veteran leaders to teach them. Someone that's already strong, played at an NFL weight in college, and developed technique rather than just running round blockers because he was lighter and faster than the D3 tackles trying to catch him.

So that's the type of player I am hoping to draft in the first three rounds. Some players that seem to fit that this year are:

Derek Barnett - DE - Tennessee
6'3, 265 lbs.

30+ sacks and 50+ TFLs in his career. Holy shit. Good athlete, already has pass rush moves and knows how to battle and beat blockers (including this year's #1 OT Cam Robinson). His game should translate to the NFL. Famous for recognizing an uncovered WR pre-snap and covering him and breaking up the pass 25 yards downfield. Has the flu at the Combine but still ran all the drills less than a day after throwing up multiple times. This guy is my #1 for the Colts in the 1st. I would trade up to get him.

Solomon Thomas - DE - Stanford
6'3, 270 lbs.

I know, Stanferdz. But he is athletic, football smart, plays hard, strong, and knows how to fight blockers and use several pass rush moves. I like Barnett a little more for the way he finishes but Thomas would be a great #1 pick and might be more NFL ready to play in space.

Demarcus Walker - DE - Florida State
6'4, 280 lbs.

16 sacks, 21.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, against quality competition. 25 sacks in 2 years. 8 batted passes in his career. Good athlete, big NFL-sized body and strength, showed he can play in space and has good play awareness. Knows pass rush moves and uses them. He seems pretty underrated to me. If we could get him later, in the 2nd or 3rd, we'd have a steal, but I am guessing NFL staffs think highly of him.

Charles Harris - DE/OLB - Missouri
6'3, 255 lbs.

Solid spin move, fast first step, played well in an attacking 1-gap D but not as well when his DC changed. I'm not sure he's ready to be an OLB right away but he attacks the passer well. I think he would fit other teams better than ours and would be disappointed to get him in the 1st.

TJ Watt - OLB - Wisconsin
6'5, 243 lbs.

Knows some moves, shows play strength, ran a fast 40 and showed solid (not great) speed on the field, had good production his final year, and has room to grow physically. I would rather get him in the 2nd.

The rest of the prospects like Taco Charlton (DL-only IMO, effort and athleticism issues), Tim Williams (too small, character concerns), Carl Lawson (injuries), Takkarist McKinley (raw), and others don't interest me enough to do a lot of research. Doesn't mean they won't be successful, I just don't see them as the right fit for the Colts this year.