NFL Draft: Colts select Bjoern Werner with No. 24 pick
Former Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner, who grew up in Germany and played his first snap of tackle football at age 15, was chosen 24th overall by the Colts. Indy needed a pass rusher after parting ways with all-time sacks leader Dwight Freeney.
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A Berlin native who came to the U.S. through a high school exchange program, former Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner was taken by the Colts with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday.
He'll help replace the team's all-time sacks leader, Dwight Freeney.
Werner won ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior last season when he had 13 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 42 tackles overall and eight pass breakups. He could play outside linebacker in Indy.
The 6-3, 266-pounder grew up playing soccer but tried flag football at age 12. He played his first snap of tackle football at age 15, and said he learned about the game by playing Madden.
CBSSports.com’s Dane Brugler compares Werner to the Rams’ Chris Long.
“Both have a combination of quickness and strength combined with a nonstop motor to consistently pressure the pocket off the edge,” Brugler said.
