Stampede Blue
This is a hard position to judge, if all goes well then this could be one of the best overall groups for the Colts in the past five or so seasons. Only problem is that things usually tend to go wrong for us. Kwity Paye has not developed his pass-rush production enough to warrant a starting job, with his pff.com pass-rush grade between 58 and 62 the past three years. Laiatu Latu showed some flashes his rookie year, but his main weakness was his inability to finish off sacks. If he can take that next step then he can easily become one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, but that is a massive if. JT Tuimoloau was probably picked with the intention of taking over Paye’s spot, as he is more of a run-defender with a high floor than a specialist pass-rusher.
Behind them there is the intriguing case of Samson Ebukam, who was the Colts’ most productive edge rusher in 2023 before missing the entirety of last year after suffering a torn Achilles in training camp. The Colts can afford the luxury of easing him into action in a rotational role at first. Tyquan Lewis is entering his eighth season with the team, having battled an absurd amount of injuries but now enjoying his healthiest two-year stretch ever having missed just 7 of 34 games. Isaiah Land has played on just 109 snaps the past two years, and has not showed anything worth getting excited about him developing into a regular contributor.
The strength of the Colts’ defense, Buckner and Stewart form perhaps the best interior defensive duo in the entire NFL. What else is there to say about them by now? Buckner is a force, both generating pressure (6th highest pass rush win rate among IDL) and stopping the run (9th in stop %). Grover Stewart is not as explosive in the pass rush department but he is an absolute force at absorbing double teams, and ranked 5th in the NFL in total run stops with 32.
The problem with this unit, is that if either one of them goes down with an injury, the Colts don’t have the depth to replace them. Of course, it is impossible to replace players like Buckner or Stewart, but the Colts could at least try to not make the downfall so noticeable. Adebawore barely played in his first two NFL seasons, and when he actually was on the field there were not many flashes that would have you thinking a jump in production is forthcoming. Gallimore will be on his 3rd team in just four seasons, and while he has some experience, he never managed to make a significant impact. Smith and Davis are both rookies, and while I really like Smith and think he can become a serviceable...
