Source: Stacy Revere / Getty
**INDIANAPOLIS** **–** As Saturday of the 2025 Draft rolled around, the Colts defensive staff had some nervy moments before their side of the ball got eventual attention.
After the Colts went defense in Round 2 (DE-JT Tuimoloau) and Round 3 (CB-Justin Walley), it was the other side of the ball getting the focus in each of the first 3 picks on Saturday.
Chris Ballard could feel that defensive staff getting pretty antsy, especially when it came to big Alabama defensive tackle Tim Smith.
“I could feel our defensive staff around the fifth-round start circling because they were pretty driven to get Tim as we were,” Smith said.
“We think he’s got a lot of upside.”
The Colts got a couple of different up-close views at Smith (6-4 and 306) during the draft process.
At the Senior Bowl, Colts assistant DL coach Matt Raich was the defensive coordinator for the American Team, where Smith played.
Later in the draft process, the Colts brought Smith in for one of their top-30 visits.
The Colts feel Smith can provide depth behind both Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner, and that’s key as those two rise above the age of 30.
Issues there in 2024 have led to the Colts looking for new answers, under a different defensive coordinator (Lou Anarumo).
When Smith describes his game, he’s very direct in assessing what he does well and what needs work, too.
“My ability to push the pocket,” Smith says in describing his strengths. “I’m big, strong, physical up front, hold the point, don’t get bullied around too much into double teams. that’s my game right there. I love the double teams, I live for them up front.
“One thing they mentioned that I need to work is pass rushing. That’s one of the biggest things I tell everybody as well. This game of football, how it plays now, you have to be able to affect the quarterback so just working on my pass rush a little bit more.”
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