Over the coming weeks we will be taking a position-by-position look at the Indianapolis Colts roster heading into the offseason, with our lens more so on what’s ahead and what’s needed at each position group.
Up next are the defensive ends, but if you missed any of our other previews, follow the links below.
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Interior offensive line
Offensive tackle
Defensive tackle
Defensive end overview
Production-wise, the play from the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive front as a whole was up-and-down in 2024.
The Colts defense would finish the season ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks–although, in part, that’s a product of opposing offenses taking advantage of the quick passing game against Gus Bradley’s soft zone defenses.
Rookie Laiatu Latu finished second on the team in pressures and showcased the ability to win his matchups regularly, ranking 28th among all defensive ends in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric.
Dayo Odeyingbo, who led the Colts in pressures, ranked 44th in win rate among his position group league-wide, but no other Indianapolis pass rusher ranked in the top 70 in that category. Also in total pressures, only Odeyingbo ranked top 50 among defensive ends.
In the run game, the Colts finished the year top 10 in yards per carry allowed, but were more so very all-or-nothing against the run, either limiting opponents to very little, or getting run all over.
Tyquan Lewis would rank 13th among defensive ends in run-stop r ate, but no other Colts’ defensive end was in the top-60.
Despite the mixed results against both the run and the pass, GM Chris Ballard thought that the play of the defensive front 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.”
Positional need this offseason
This could be an under-the-radar need for the Colts this offseason. It’s all dependent upon what happens in free agency.
Odeyingbo is a free agent and could end up elsewhere, while Samson Ebukam could be a potential cut candidate in favor of salary cap savings.
This position in particular highlights a challenge the Colts could face this offseason. If GM Chris Ballard is going to infuse competition throughout the roster, as he eluded to doing during his end of season press conference, there are bigger needs out there than a defensive end group that still features Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, and Tayquan Lewis.
Tight end, safety, cornerback, linebacker, and potentially the offensive line are all bigger needs.
Capital-wise, the Colts currently have $28 million-plus in cap space, which ranks 18th in the NFL, and seven draft picks–so not exactly a ton.
While in previous offseasons, re-signing Odeyingbo would seem like a given, I don’t know if that’s the case in 2025 for the reasons mentioned. And if not back, a group that had so-so production in 2024 will then be down one of their top producers, and at a bare minimum, depth will be needed.
What free agents are available?
If Odeyingbo isn’t back and the Colts do explore free agency, it may just be to bolster the back-end depth of this position group on a short-term and relatively inexpensive deal.
With help from Over the Cap, here are the top available free agent options at the position this offseason:
Chauncey Golston
Emmanuel Ogbah
Dayo Odeyingbo
Chase Young
Josh Sweat
Matt Judon
Michael Hoecht
Khalil Mack
LJ Collier
Da’Shawn Hand
Dante Fowler Jr.
Anthony Nelson
Joseph Ossai
Joe Tyron-Shoyinka
K’Lavon Chaisson
What about the NFL draft?
We know that Ballard is more than willing to invest into the defensive line. Do we see him take that approach again at some point in this year’s draft? Again, I think the answer to that question depends on what happens with Odeyingbo and Ebukam in free agency.
Here are the top defensive end prospects, according to PFF’s big board:
Abdul Carter, Penn State
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Mike Green, Marshall
Mykel Williams, Georgia
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Jack Sawyer, Ohio state
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Landon Jackson, Arkansas
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina
