Colts Confident Trevor Bates Can Bolster Pass Rush

The Indianapolis Colts are hopeful that rookie linebacker Trevor Bates can develop into an impact pass rusher for the team–sooner rather than later.

Selected by the Colts in the 7th round of this year’s NFL Draft, the 6’2″, 245 pound Maine linebacker led the Black Bears with 7.5 sacks last season and finished with 19 career collegiate sacks.

With an aging pair of pass rushers Robert Mathis (35) and Trent Cole (33), the Colts and specifically new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino may have to find creative ways to conjure up a pass rush–presumably by committee.

While the Colts won’t necessarily be heavily relying on Bates from the get-go, he’s a rookie pass rusher that could potentially…