Colts budding breakout candidate among top 2025 NFL free agents

Kevin Hickey

Colts budding breakout candidate among top 2025 NFL free agents image

The Indianapolis Colts will be relying heavily on the pass rush to make a difference, and one breakout candidate can put himself in a position to make a lot of money.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo is coming off a career season in which he recorded 8.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits.

He's expected to take another step forward and will be one of the top free agents set to hit the market in 2025, according to Gregg Rosenthal, who had Odeyingbo ranked 41st among all pending free agents.

"A talented pass rusher who has a chance for a breakout season as part of a great Colts pass rush," Rosenthal wrote.

While the torn Achilles to Samson Ebukam leaves the Colts with one less premier pass-rusher to work with, it will lead to more snaps for Odeyingbo.

The former second-round pick has been a versatile asset in Gus Bradley's defense since working his way back from his own torn Achilles, which he suffered while training for the NFL combine in 2021.

Since he began getting regular playing time in Week 10 of the 2022 season, Odeyingbo's 11.5 sacks leads all defensive players with no more 60% of snaps played, according to Stathead. In that span of 25 games, he also ranks second in quarterback hits (24) and third in tackles for loss (12).

If he continues his upward trend, Odeyingbo could be a very hot commodity on the market should the Colts fail to sign him to an extension before then.

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Kevin Hickey

Kevin Hickey Photo

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11