INDIANAPOLIS – Under Ryan Grigson, the Colts have shown an affinity for finding impact players in the third round.
The Colts might have found another, fitting in need and productivity, with Stanford defensive end Henry Anderson (6-6 and 294 pounds).
As the Colts pick at No. 93 overall, Anderson is coming off an All-Pac 12 season with a team-best 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Getting To Know Henry Anderson-Why Anderson?
As the clock ticked towards midnight on Friday, the Colts hoped that Henry Anderson was going to make it until pick No. 93, their final selection of the first two days. They knew the playmaking nature of Anderson was rare in a 3-4 defensive end. It's why several draft pundits had Anderson pegged as a draft sleeper and Pro Football Focus went as far as to label the Stanford defensive end as their No. 9 overall prospect (based off college production). It's not often you see defensive ends put up the type of disruptive numbers that Anderson did late in his collegiate career.-More Stanford pipeline
Anderson is already very familiar with the Colts organization having talked to fellow Cardinal products Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener and Griff Whalen. Anderson got an up close view of their professional life when he visited the Colts during a top-30 workout. The Stanford pipeline will now extend to the defensive side of the football with the addition of Anderson, a Georgia native.-Anderson's role in Indianapolis?
At Stanford, Anderson played in a 3-4 scheme. It wasn't your typical 3-4 base defense though, with Anderson frequently sliding inside, particularly on passing downs. The Colts have outside starters in Arthur Jones and Kendall Langford with Anderson providing crucial depth, considering how frequent defensive line reps are shuffled throughout a game. This is a guy who showed that he can definitely play against the run (15 tackles for loss in 2014) and then slide inside when nickel packages come on the field (8.5 sacks in 2014).
