The Indianapolis Colts and first-round draft choice Bjoern Werner have come to terms on a rookie contract, according to the Colts official Twitter.
Indianapolis Colts sign Bjoern Werner
The Colts finally came to terms with their first-round pick, and are now able to move forward and into camp without distraction.
Al Bello
Terms of the deal have not been released.
Werner, a standout defensive end with the Florida State Seminoles, was taken with the No. 24 overall pick. In 2012 while at Florida State, Werner made a name for himself when he amassed 13 sacks on his way to being named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Werner will be moving from defensive end to outside linebacker, a transition that has proven easier for some than others. In Chuck Pagano's 3-4 scheme, Werner will be standing up more often than not instead of always having his hand in the ground. Tyler Brooke of Stampede Blue says Erik Walden is the likely starter, but Werner will see plenty of chances in pass rushing situations:
While there’s a lot to like about Werner, he’s still a prospect that’s developing. He didn’t start playing football until high school, but he’s shown that he’s developed a very high football IQ and he possesses great natural instinct. The switch from a defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker isn’t a huge move, but it will take some time to adjust.
The rookie will have someone to lean on in camp, with veteran Robert Mathis on the other side of him. Mathis, of course, has been a star for years in Indianapolis, mostly as a 4-3 end before making the switch to outside linebacker last year. In 2012, Mathis recorded eight sacks.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
