Colts coach evaluates state of linebacker unit heading into OTAs

The Indianapolis Colts' linebacker room has been reshaped this offseason. Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt, who led the defense in snaps last season, are no longer with the team. GM Chris Ballard would then bring in Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency, along with drafting CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher.

But there are some returning players as well, including Austin Ajiake and Jaylon Carlies, who will be competing for roles, whether that be on defense or special teams. As Colts ' linebacker coach James Bettcher explained recently, the current construction of the room has a good mixture of new additions and players who have experience on Lou Anarumo's defense. "I think there's such a great mix of some guys that have played in the system," Bettcher said.

"Double A (Ajiake) for a year, Akeem for multiple years, then like a young energy of guys who are just chomping to get every little bit of information they can. I think we knocked it out of the park with the people that we drafted. We drafted high character guys who are smart and they love ball.

So, when you come in the room, I think that's the first thing anybody would recognize. " Presumably, Allen will be the Colts' MIKE linebacker and wear the green dot for the defense as he did at Georgia. Although at this time, Anarumo isn't concerned with that detail.