Why the Colts Have One of the Best Defensive Fronts in the NFL

Starting the 2023 year with a 1-1 record, the Indianapolis Colts have played solid by all accounts. Even in their season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team played well as a whole. However, it’s been the defensive front that has surfaced as a legitimate threat to any offensive line in the NFL.

The interior consists of DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, and the edges have names like Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Dayo Odeyingbo to seal each side. Altogether, they’ve proven to be problematic for offensive game plans and layout constant pressure on QBs and the run game.

With this duo of performances under their belts and numerous players performing at high levels, can the Colts defensive front be considered one of the finest in the league? Let’s break down why with some of the notable names that occupy the defensive trenches.

The Edges

Currently, the Colts possess one of the more efficient edge rushing rooms in the league.

Paye has had a rough beginning to his career from an injury standpoint. However, when he’s been able to suit up, he proves to be efficient in both pass rush, pressures, and run defense.

Currently, he sits atop the team with fellow defensive stalwart Buckner with two sacks. He’s also graded with a solid 75.8 overall defensive grade per Pro Football Focus. Something he’s not tied for the team lead on is QB pressures, with a ridiculous six in two contests.

Look for Paye to continue to ascend as long as he stays solid health-wise.

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Next is Ebukam, the free agent signee for the Colts during the offseason. Ebukam is already proving to be worth the $24 million the Colts inked him to. With more opportunities and a solid workload for the first time in his career, Ebukam is underway to be a fierce addition.

He’s recorded a sack and two tackles for loss. He’s also tied with Buckner and Stewart for second on the team in pressures with five. Ebukam is showing his talents and can only get better as he learns to sync up with Paye.

Lastly is Odeyingbo. The one known by the Colts' faithful as “Hurricane Dayo” has brought the strength of one this season as more of a rotational piece.

Odeyingbo has a 64.8 pass-rushing grade, paired with a solid 71.2 tackle grade. As he gets on the field more and works with the rest of the defensive front, Odeyingbo can only improve. His biggest knock is his lack of run defense, sitting at a mediocre 48.0.

Look for Odeyingbo to continue to push to refine his skills and earn more snaps on the field.

The Interior

Buckner and Stewart have become a deadly interior duo for anyone to contend with. In just two contests, they’ve each been destructive and efficient in their play. Below are the notable numbers through the games.

● DeForest Buckner: 11 tackles; 2.0 sacks; 3 Tackles for Loss; 5 QB Pressures; 1 Fumble Forced; 1 Fumble Recovery; 1 Defensive TD.

● Grover Stewart: 10 tackles; 1 Tackle for Loss; 5 QB Pressures; 90.3 Run Defense Grade per PFF (Team Lead)

The numbers aren’t lying here. Jacksonville has a solid offensive line, and the Indy interior duo pushed Trevor Lawrence to the outside and stuffed the ground game at times. Against the Houston Texans, who were depleted on the offensive line due to injuries, they feasted on Houston’s ground game and forced rookie C.J. Stroud to beat the defense with his arm.

At the end of the day, regardless of the level of protection, it’s not easy dealing with these two bear-like linemen. They are incredibly athletic, strong, and clean in their technique. Every offensive gameplan must account for them and do whatever it takes to contain them.

Outlook

The Colts still need improvement in areas on defense. But that improvement isn’t anywhere to be found on the defensive front. With how the aforementioned names have played and the rotational pieces that support them, it’s not a shocking prediction to put them in the top five of the league.

Look for the dominance to continue with more reps together and additional backup from the solid linebacking group behind them as the season moves along.

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