Colts have high hopes for rookie DE Henry Anderson

The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2015 NFL Draft knowing they needed help along the defensive line.

They believe they've found it in the form of Henry Anderson, the team's third-round pick out of Stanford.

“He’s what you’re looking for at end in this defense,” general manager Ryan Grigson said, according to the team's official website. “I know we’re going to have him for a long time.

"When you’re at the level of intelligence, that level of production and then that level of competitiveness and athletic ability, you mark off every box. Everything’s very good with this guy. I think he’s going to be a really good player at our level. He’s an instinctive player. That’s the way we grade---there’s poor, there’s marginal, there’s adequate, there’s good, there’s very good, there’s outstanding, there’s exceptional. He was very good in a lot of those areas.”

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was equally complimentary of Anderson, who recorded 66 tackles and 8.5 sacks for the Cardinal last season.

“I don’t know if I saw one clip of film that (Anderson) wasn’t playing with great effort and intensity,” Pagano said.

One other factor Anderson has going for him? Familiarity with the defense, as the Colts and Stanford employ a similar scheme and terminology. 

“I know (Andrew) Luck and the offense have been playing really well the past few years," Anderson said. "The defense has played well, but not up to where the offense has been at, I know that I can come in and provide help to the defense and try to bring a Super Bowl to Indy.”

(h/t Indianapolis Colts)
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports