Stampede Blue
Both DeForest Buckner and Bernhard Raimann remain standouts on their respective Colts’ lines, per PFF.
According to PFF, two Indianapolis Colts standouts were named from #101-80 on the annually unveiled ‘PFF 101,’ featuring a ranking of the top 101 players league-wide from the recently concluded 2024 campaign.
Of course, one of the Colts’ names may not be who you may ordinarily think—as starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann joined veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner representing the Horseshoe (*so far*)—at #88th and 92nd respectively:
88. T Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts
While Raimann missed the better part of four games in the middle of the year due to a pair of injuries, he never skipped a beat upon his return. The third-year tackle produced a top-eight overall grade (85.9) at the position, showcasing his talents in both facets of the game while landing in the top 15 in both run blocking (80.7; 10th) and pass protection (82.0; 14th).
92. DI DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
Although a high ankle sprain in Week 2 limited Buckner to 12 games, his presence in the back half of the year was pivotal to the Colts‘ late-season push. Indy’s defensive captain clocked the sixth-highest PFF overall grade (81.9) among interior defenders, which was highlighted by his ability to press the pocket and bring down passers. Buckner managed to collect seven sacks on just 332 pass rush snaps, still placing him in the top 12 at the position despite missing five games.
The 27-year-old Raimann graded out in 2024 as PFF’s 8th best offensive tackle with a +85.1 overall grade—including a +82.0 pass blocking grade. Specifically, in pass protection, Raimann allowed just 4.0 sacks and 20 QB pressures during 471 total pass blocking snaps in 14 starts this past season for the Colts.
Raimann has only gotten better since entering the league in 2022 and has quickly become one of the better younger starting left tackles in all of football. He’s entering a contract year in 2025, so the Colts are likely preparing to provide him a lucrative multi-year extension at one of the league’s premium positions.
Meanwhile, Buckner remains the Colts best defensive player and arguably their most valuable collectively once again. During 12 games (11 starts) this past season because of a high ankle sprain, the veteran defensive tackle finished with 61 tackles (24 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 35 total QB pressures, and a pass defensed. He still finished out as PFF’s 7th best interior defender with a +81.9 overall grade, despite being somewhat limited in action.
It would be surprising if Colts’ All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson (+81.3 overall grade and ranked as PFF’s 4th best offensive guard) doesn’t make this ranking during later unveils.
