Stampede Blue
How is the Colts’ defensive depth chart looking after the draft, and is there a glaring need to solve?
Throughout this three-piece series I will be analyzing the Colts’ players on all phases of the game, with the players on the team right after the Draft, keeping in mind that it is almost a given that Ballard will bring in some veteran free-agents to shore up the team. You can check out the offensive piece here.
After re-signing Grover Stewart, and extending DeForest Buckner, the Colts duo on the inside remains locked up for the foreseeable future. Buckner and Stewart complement each other to perfection, with Stewart being the most important player on the Colts’ run defense (check out how we did when he was suspended), and Buckner being by far the most consistent pass-rusher on the team. If they are healthy and playing somewhat close to 70% of the snaps each game, then the Colts will be just fine from this position group.
Problem is if anything unexpected happens, the Colts’ depth at defensive tackle is severely lacking, and with Buckner and Stewart both at 30 years of age, injuries are a very realistic possibility. Raekwon Davis is a nice depth piece to have, and among the only players similar to Buckner in size. The plan is probably to use him on obvious running situations to help ease the load from Buck. Other than Stewart and Davis, the Colts have no defensive tackle over 300 pounds, with Adebawore, Johnson II, and Lewis all being better served rushing the passer. Davis has the size to plug some holes, but he was never even an average run-defender in his entire career. This is something worrying, as in my opinion the Colts’ defense is just a Grover Stewart injury away from being completely helpless against the run.
Verdict: Still need some depth at 1T
The Colts saw the need at edge and went out and grabbed the first defensive player of this draft in Laiatu Latu. Latu has some medical concerns, that have been widely overblown in my non-medical opinion and just by reading reports on it, but was inarguably the most productive and consistent pass rusher in this draft class by a wide margin. The starters right now are Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam, both well defined as “serviceable”. Ebukam had his best season as a pro and was actually the third best pass-rusher on the team behind Buckner and Lewis, while providing great value against the run. Paye has been a disappointment the past couple of seasons as his development as a pass-rusher not only stagnated, but also regressed. He does have a great motor and is dependable against the run, which is enough to at least fill a depth role.
Dayo Odeyingbo has...
