As we continue our look ahead to the 2025 NFL draft for the Indianapolis Colts, the defensive line group, in particular, looks to be quite loaded this year.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, one of the best in the business, said that he is currently working on putting together his initial top 50 prospect list and included are a whopping 16 defensive linemen.
With DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, and Laiatu Latu all returning, the defensive line certainly isn’t the most pressing need the Colts have. However, we also all know Chris Ballard’s affinity for building the defense through the trenches as well.
During the 2024 season, the Colts ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks–although the quick passing game against Gus Bradley’s soft zone defense made it difficult at times to generate steady pressure.
Then against the run, the Colts would rank ninth, allowing just 4.2 yards per carry. Although, again, that number is a bit misleading as the Colts were very much feast or famine against the run, either containing the opponent or getting ran all over with little in between.
Overall, even if the numbers didn’t show it, Ballard thought that the play of the Colts’ defensive line last season was “pretty good.”
“I thought they played pretty good,” Ballard said via the Indy Star. “Now, did they have the amount of sacks? No. I know that’s what everybody equates it to. … Now look, there’s times you can’t get there when they’re six, seven-man protecting and the ball’s out fast. When the ball’s coming out, that’s sometimes how teams counteract you. I didn’t think our d-line played bad.”
But even if that is the thought internally, it’s easy to pinpoint why adding to the defensive front should still be on the Colts’ radar.
For one, the depth behind Buckner and Stewart has to improve. When those two weren’t on the field last season, offenses frequently took advantage.
In addition to that, defensive end depth could quickly become a need as well with Dayo Odeyingbo a free agent and Samson Ebukam a possible cut candidate.
You couple that need for improved depth–and consistent play–with a loaded draft class at a position group we know Ballard prioritizes, and the recipe for the Colts to make an early round addition along the defensive front does exist.
