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Indianapolis Colts 3 best offseason additions in 2022

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 09: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 09: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Las Vegas Raiders walks off the field after a touchdown by the Kansas City Chiefs during their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 41-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Indianapolis Colts top addition in 2022: DE Yannick Ngakoue (Las Vegas Raiders via trade)

In 2020, the Colts finished eighth in the league in fewest total yards allowed. Only the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up fewer yards on the ground. An effective pass rush amassed 40 sacks in 16 contests and the club gave up only 24 scores through the air.

It was a different story this past season as Indianapolis was ranked a mediocre 16th in the NFL in total defense. In 17 outings, the Colts surrendered a disappointing 32 touchdown passes. And the Colts came up with just 33 QB traps.

Hence the decision to deal for six-year pro Yannick Ngakoue. The talented pass-rusher has bounced around the league in recent years and the Colts will be his fifth NFL team in seven years.

Originally a third-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, he was dealt to Minnesota in 2020 and then traded two months later to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2021, he inked a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders and now is in Indianapolis in a deal that saw him swapped straight up for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin

There’s certainly a lot of talent on this Indianapolis defensive unit, which will now be under the command of new coordinator Gus Bradley.

That’s because Matt Eberflus is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Ngakoue – who has great history playing for Bradley – comes off a season with the Raiders (in which he made 17 starts, totaled 28 tackles and led the club with 10 sacks.

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