The interior defensive line position was already a strong position group for the Colts in 2024, but it gains even more long-term stability with the team agreeing to an extension with DeForest Buckner.
At a minimum, the Colts now have Buckner, Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis, Eric Johnson, and Adetomiwa Adebawore all under contract through at least the 2025 season.
As a whole, this was a Colts’ defensive front last season that ranked 11th in yards per rush allowed at 4.1 while ranking fifth in ESPN’s run-stop win rate metric, along with totaling the fifth-most tackles for loss–although this group did struggle when they didn’t have Stewart in the middle.
As a pass rush unit, the Colts’ 51 sacks were the fifth-most in football, however, they did rank 23rd in total pressures. In order to maintain that level of sack production in 2024, getting after the quarterback more consistently will likely be required.
With how little this defense blitzes under Gus Bradley, the defensive front’s ability to win its matchups and get home is a must. Not to mention that the best way to slow any offensive play is with quick pressure up the middle from the interior defensive line. Any sort of sustained success defensively often starts up front.
Here is a quick breakdown of the interior defensive line position as it’s currently constructed on the Colts’ roster.
DeForest Buckner
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Buckner continues to be one of the more disruptive interior defenders in the NFL. Last season, Buckner would rank fourth in pass rush grade from PFF. On top of that, he ranked 14th in pressures with 52 and seventh in pass rush win rate. Buckner also had the 11th-best run-stop rate among interior defenders.
Grover Stewart
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Grover Stewart brings a run-stuffing presence to the middle of the Colts’ interior defensive line. Last season, Stewart ranked fifth in PFF’s run defense grade and 11th in sun-stop rate. Even the best nose tackles don’t always fill the stat sheet, but that player’s ability to generate steady push creates opportunities for others with the space they eat up, and the double-teams they take on.
Raekwon Davis
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There was a steep dropoff in play against the run last season when Grover Stewart wasn’t on the field, so the Colts prioritized bringing in some help this offseason, signing Raekwon Davis to a two-year deal. It will be Davis’ job to be that run-stuffing presence at nose tackle in obvious running situations or when Stewart needs a breather.
Taven Bryan
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 24: Tanner McKee #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball against Taven Bryan #96 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775992235 ORIG FILE ID: 1621487839
Bryan is back for the 2024 season on a one-year deal. With how heavily rotated this position group is, with four or even five players seeing snaps each week, depth is important. Bryan played 343 snaps last season, totaling 11 pressures, but as alluded to already, he didn’t hold up very well against the run. Over the final five games, Bryan’s role was reduced, seeing just 14.6 snaps per game.
Eric Johnson
Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Eric Johnson (93) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Without Stewart in the lineup, Johnson had to take on a larger role last season. In 110 pass rush snaps, he totaled only four pressures and really struggled against the run, with a grade from PFF of just 29.3. Now entering his third NFL season, this is a very important summer upcoming for Johnson.
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) is forced out of bounds by Indianapolis Colts defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) in the third quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Adebawore was a fourth-round pick by the Colts in 2023 and was used sparingly, seeing just 132 snaps the entire season. In that very limited sample size, he did rank 31st among all interior defenders in pass rush productivity but struggled against the run with a PFF grade of 29.0. The hope in 2024 is that Adebawore can take on a much larger role, especially with Bryan only returning on a one-year deal and the unknowns around Johnson.
