3 Overlooked Colts Who Could Make an Impact on Defense in 2023

For the 2023 season, it’s a new campaign for most NFL teams. For the Indianapolis Colts, it’s an entirely fresh beginning from the burden that was 2022.

The defense was what typically showed the most grit and efficiency throughout the tough year. While pillars like DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Shaquille Leonard, Zaire Franklin, and Kenny Moore II are going to stand out, three other players accompany those stars and could contribute in more ways than predicted.

As with the offensive side of the ball before, here are three defensive players that the Colts have who could secure a bigger impact than what’s been detailed for the upcoming 2023 regular season. To kick things off will be a rookie who has sky-high athleticism.

Adetomiwa Adebawore - DT

The Colts thought highly of Adetomiwa Adebawore from Northwestern, enough to select him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft with the 110th pick.

The Colts did indeed pick up veteran defensive tackle Taven Bryan in free agency, and he may have a spot ahead of Adebawore for the first few weeks of the season. However, with what Adebawore presents from an athletic standpoint on the defensive line, I foresee him supplanting Bryan sooner rather than later in the season.

While at Northwestern, Adebawore was versatile on the defensive front and collected 12.5 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 97 total tackles. He also ran an insane 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, which is simply unheard of for a defensive lineman, whether tackle or edge.

Adetomiwa Adebawore is a DT prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.72 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 46 out of 1623 DT from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/ow0pkcGyIz pic.twitter.com/B9XIPqJAdq
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 23, 2023

The aforementioned versatility also gives him an advantage. He can play the edge and also the interior, with Adebawore himself preferring the latter position.

While he wasn’t a superstar in college, and he’s a bit undersized for a defensive tackle (6’2”, 282 pounds), he makes up for it with explosive attributes. He could catch unsuspecting offensive linemen off guard with his ridiculous quickness and speed.

It might take a few games, but keep an eye on Adebawore and his involvement in Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme. The Colts love their athletic pass-rushers who are versatile. Well, they don’t get more athletic or versatile than Adebawore.

Tyquan Lewis - DE

Heading into his sixth season as a professional in the NFL (all with Indianapolis), Tyquan Lewis has had moments where he looks fantastic. However, his career has been riddled with the most brutal of injury circumstances. Combining 2021 and 2022, he’s only been able to play in 15 total games (48 in five seasons). Notable injuries sustained include a broken foot, ankle sprain, and patellar tendon tear.

When Lewis is healthy, though, he presents a problem for offenses because he is one of the best rotational pieces that the NFL has on the defensive front. He also has good enough skills to handle spot starts if other ends are missing time.

Lewis is coming off of back-to-back season-ending injuries. But, the Colts re-signed him to a new contract, showing their faith in the former Ohio State Buckeye.

Lewis might have more to prove than most players on the Colts’ roster. The 2023 season will be his biggest stage to do so, and with a solid group of defenders in the trenches with him.

JoJo Domann - LB

Coming out of Nebraska in 2022, the Colts picked up linebacker JoJo Domann as an undrafted free agent. While a Cornhusker, he played a well-rounded style on defense that piqued the interest of Colts general manager Chris Ballard.

Through 43 games over six college seasons, Domann would tally 208 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 15 passes defended. Unfortunately, injuries played a big role in his needing to stay for so long at Nebraska, which included missing the entirety of the 2017 campaign due to an ACL tear.

Last season as an NFL rookie, Domann saw special teams snaps and limited action, but has the potential to be a bigger depth piece for the linebacking room than what meets the eye.

Given his athleticism, coverage ability, and tackling efficiency, a healthy Domann could sit securely in the fourth spot behind Leonard, Franklin, and E.J. Speed, providing much-needed support that could give the Colts a spark on defense.

It all comes down to his health, and Domann knows this.

If everything falls into place for the former Big Ten competitor, he could put together a good season and potentially see his snap count increase.

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