After finally taking care of Alec Pierce in free agency, the Colts added former Titans EDGE Arden Key. Originally drafted in the third round by the Oakland Raiders out of LSU, Key has solidified himself as a solid rotational pass rusher. The Colts are going to get him at a very reasonable price on a two year deal worth up to$20M dollars.
I’m not going to sell you on the idea that Arden Key is a hidden gem and the Colts struck gold. I don’t think that’s really the case at all. On the surface, Arden Key is a perfectly mediocre starter who has regressed in some key metrics—but I do think the Colts are dipping into the “Samson Ebukam well,” if you will, by adding a free-agent rusher on a reasonable deal that could offer some upside.
What stood out the most when watching Arden Key is his instincts and his movement skills. The one thing about Lou Anarumo’s defense is that, while ironically he had Trey Hendrickson on his team, his defense generates pressure by manipulating protections and fooling QBs—not just asking your rushers to win 1-on-1 all the time. That’s modern defense in general, but Anarumo leans into it.
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Lou blitzes DBs at some of the highest rates in the NFL. That means pass rushers have to drop in coverage to replace second-level defenders who are blitzing. Laiatu Latu showed firsthand that he has the athleticism to drop into coverage and even make plays—Arden Key flashes it here.
As a pure pass rusher, I completely agree with Zack’s analysis above. He’s got a good motor and is long. More importantly, he’ll be more explosive than Lewis or Ebukam were last year. Watching his film it felt like he was on the Colts radar given how well he’s played against them over the years. He is an instinctual player who plays with effort— you can certainly find much worse.
HOW THIS IMPACTS THE FUTURE AT PASS RUSHER
Obviously Arden Key won’t be their only addition to a room that is lacking a lot of depth and talent. He may fit the Ebukam mold of a rusher, but he’s there to play on a Tyquan Lewis snap count. The Colts are not done and even though they missed out on Trey Hendrickson, I expect them to be active in the pass rusher market.
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Jonathan Greenard is a player that could make some sense on the surface, but I’m not sure it would be the best fit. The Colts really aren’t in a position to be giving up more picks for 29 year old pass rusher that you have to also pay. It’s very similar to why the Colts didn’t meet the demands of Trey Hendrickson last year. Pass rushers are a premium position. It’s one thing to pay for one, it’s another to trade assets for the right to pay for one. Greenard is also looking to play in a system where he can tee off on the QB and play faster. The Flores and Anarumo defenses don’t always offer that.
I think Arnold Ebiketie is a guy who would fit the Colts well. He had elite broad and vertical jump numbers (something the Colts like) at the combine and is probably a guy you could get for a very team-friendly deal.
It’s always tough to find a solidified answer at EDGE in the free agent market, so I expect the Colts to maybe explore a trade or look to the draft as they search for more players to add to that room.
BOTTOM LINE
Overall, I think Arden Key can be a very solid depth piece for the Colts. Taking a chance on a veteran player who has played for some franchises that have lacked stability and continuity can be a winning business model. There’s certainly a world that Key flashes in the same ways that Ebukam did in 2023.
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On the other hand I think it’s important to be realistic. The Colts have really struggled to find impact players at that position, and Arden Key can’t be their only answer there.
I’d like the Colts to take a similar approach other than the 2025 Eagles. While the acquisitions of Azeez Ojulari Za’Darius Smith and Josh Uche didn’t work out, Howie Roseman kept taking swings on veteran players with some upside to see if he could find an answer. I think the Colts would be wise to follow that model.
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