Colts' Defensive Line Stands Alone With Impressive Feat

The Indianapolis Colts had four players who collectively were at the top of their craft during the 2023 season.

The Indianapolis Colts may have missed the playoffs by the slimmest of margins this season, but they had an impressive showing as a unit from their defensive front. 

Not since 2005 did the Colts produce so many team sacks, ending with 51 total in the 2023 campaign. This performance set the Indy-era team sack record, previously being 46 in 2005. That year, most of the sacks came from the duo of Robert Mathis (11.5) and Dwight Freeney (11). That wasn't the case for the 2023 group. 

While Indy set a franchise record, they also sat as the lone NFL team with four players to have seven-plus sacks. 

In this piece, I'll briefly dive into the seasons of each player who contributed to this and what may come moving forward. 

DT DeForest Buckner - 8.0 sacks

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Colts defensive captain and mainstay DeForest Buckner continued to dominate in the defensive trenches during the 2023 season. Per Pro Football Focus, his pass-rushing grade was atop the Indy defensive roster at 87.1. Buckner also added 81 tackles, 11 for loss, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery touchdown to his eight sacks. 

Buckner is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles and has an impressive 61 career sacks in eight seasons. The two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler will likely continue his constant pressure and high-level efficiency in 2024. 

DE Dayo Odeyingbo - 8.0 sacks

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After finishing the lost 2022 season strong, third-year defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo looked to continue that momentum going into the new season with Shane Steichen at the helm. Odeyingbo set career highs across the board in sacks (eight), tackles (38), tackles for loss (nine), and fumbles forced (two). 

More of the power rushing variety, Odeyingbo used that strength to compile 29 pressures on quarterbacks and showcased potential to become more with added reps. 

After starting his career with a torn Achilles in 2021, Odeyingbo has recovered and looks like a perfect fit on the Indy defensive front. The former Vanderbilt Commodore will look to improve in the next season and potentially overshoot 10 sacks this time. 

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DE Kwity Paye - 8.5 sacks

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Former first-round pick Kwity Paye had the best year of his short, three-year tenure with the Colts in 2023. Paye ranked second on the team in sacks with 8.5, but his run defense stood out the most. Paye ranked second out of 14 eligible defensive front members for Indy with a 78.1 run defense grade. 

It was a solid year for Paye, and he was able to avoid any big injuries. However, the knock on him was his inconsistent pressure on QBs. He finished behind rotational end Tyquan Lewis (44) in pressures with 28. This while playing 410 pass-rushing snaps to Lewis' 259. 

Paye is a good all-around defensive end but must improve at rushing the passer. 2024 will be a campaign for Paye to prove he belongs with the Colts long-term, especially with an upcoming draft class that features promising edge rushers. 

DE Samson Ebukam - 9.5 sacks

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One of the best free agent signings for general manager Chris Ballard was defensive end Samson Ebukam. Ebukam inked a three-year, $24 million contract and got the reigns to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career. 

After six seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers as a rotational depth piece, Ebukam displayed incredible efficiency and is likely the best end on Indy's roster. He led the team with an impressive 9.5 sacks but factored in as one of the best run defenders on the roster. He also applied the second-most QB pressures behind fellow defender Buckner with 48 and showed minimal weaknesses in his 17 starts. 

Ebukam's ceiling as a starter could be fantastic. He could push even better numbers in year two with Gus Bradley's defense if everything falls in line. 

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