Arden Key is a Colt

[Colts And Orioles]

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2026 NFL Free Agency Grades: Dexter Lawrence II, Kirk Cousins

(By Seth Walder and Ben Solak)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-draft-outlook




The Colts Sign Edge Arden Key


Terms: ) 2 Years / $20 Million


Grade: ) B +



With Kwity Paye out the door in free agency, the Colts needed another edge rusher to play opposite Laiatu Latu. ...... they got an upgrade at a lower cost.

Key, who spent the last 3 seasons in Tennessee, has long been underrated. Though he had only four sacks in 12 games last season, Key recorded an 85th percentile pass rush win rate at edge. It wasn't a unique performance ...... he was in the 64th percentile in 2024 and 76th percentile the year prior.

Now, I think that Key often utilizes the type of high and outside pass rush that can sometimes earn pass-rush wins even when tackle has the situation under control, which is part of the reason why his pressure rates have been much lower relative to his win rates in Tennessee. (The other is that losing teams force opponents into desperate passing situations far less often, which shouldn't be held against him.) But at this salary, I think Key is well worth bringing in and should be more disruptive than Paye, who ranked last in pass rush win rate last season. ) (Seth Walder)

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