ESPN recently highlighted one Day 3 "sleeper" at the linebacker position, which could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Not every need is going to get addressed right away in the NFL draft--there just aren't enough resources to go around in most instances. So being able to find some more immediate help on Day 3 is obviously extremely valuable.
The linebacker spot for the Colts is one of the larger needs that they have at the moment. In addition to giving the depth a boost with EJ Speed and Grant Stuard, both on new teams, the Colts need to find a new starter to line up next to Zaire Franklin.
Maybe Jaylon Carlies, who the Colts really like, can be that player. However, they shouldn't assume that either. Competition should be brought in.
If the Colts are unable to address linebacker on Days 1 or 2 of the draft, one Day 3 "sleeper" who Field Yates really likes is Memphis' Chandler Martin.
"I'll bang the gavel for Martin every day of the week, as the combine snub is a stick of dynamite," wrote Yates. "He absolutely flies around the field and was incredible as a blitzer last season, racking up seven sacks (he had 13.5 over the past three seasons). Martin isn't a big linebacker at only 6-foot, 230 pounds, but he imposes his will and packs a forceful punch. He has a Round 4 grade in my rankings."
As Yates mentions, Martin doesn't have overwhelming size, but he tested well athletically, scoring 8.21 on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) scale.
He's a three-year starter in college, the last two of which came at Memphis. Martin was frequently utilized as a blitzer with 34 pressures, according to PFF, and over the last two seasons, he's held pass catchers to under 9.0 yards per catch with three interceptions and five pass breakups.
While not the be-all-end-all either, Martin was one of PFF's top graded linebackers against the run during the 2024 season as well.
I recently highlighted a handful of Day 1 and 2 options at linebacker for the Colts, but if that doesn't work out, perhaps Martin could be on their radar as an early Day 3 selection for them.
Whether it be Carlies, Martin, or whoever the Colts might bring in, added coverage ability and versatility--a key element at the second and third levels in Lou Anarumo's scheme--are two traits that GM Chris Ballard should be looking for.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts NFL draft: Memphis LB Chandler Martin named 'Day 3 sleeper'
