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.
Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart / Raewkon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Eric Johnson II, Jonah Laulu, Tyquan Lewis
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
Edge rushers: Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam / Laiatu Latu, Dayo Odeyingbo, Genard Avery, Isaiah Land
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 the versatility to also play a bit from the inside, but was mostly used as an edge rusher last year. He is best described as “streaky”, with some stretches where he completely takes over the game, and others where he is a non-factor. Avery and Land did not play much at all last season, so it is a bit hard to evaluate them.
Verdict: Not a need, but I would like a veteran pass-rush specialist (Calais Campbell ?)
Linebackers: Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed / Ronnie Harrison Jr., Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi
Now we are getting to the positions where the Colts are most thin. Linebacker may not appear as a glaring need at first sight, considering how good Zaire Franklin has been, E.J. Speed showed flashes, and both Olubi and Harrison Jr. were decent surprises after the cut of Shaq Leonard. The Colts also added Jaylon Carlies late in the draft. The problem here is that is a disaster waiting to happen. Again, this position group is an injury to Franklin away from being among the worst in the NFL, and I have little confidence in Speed because of the amount of dumb mistakes he made last year, mistakes that costed the team wins. This is another example of Ballard trusting his own guys, which I like, but having no viable backup plan here scares me.
Verdict: Need proper depth
Cornerbacks: JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II / Dallis Flowers, Ameer Speed, Darrell Baker Jr., Micah Abraham
And now going into the secondary, where the Colts have their most glaring need by far in both safety and cornerback. JuJu Brents had an amazing rookie season when healthy, with just 8 games started, but the talent is most certainly there. Jones struggled at times, and did not look like a viable long-term solution at the position, but rather a solid depth piece. Kenny continues locking down the slot cornerback spot, giving me no worries there.
Behind them the team has Dallis Flowers who is coming off a serious injury and with no meaningful playing experience, Darrell Baker Jr. who was inconsistent at best last year, and Ameer Speed/Micah Abraham as further depth, not particularly encouraging.
Verdict: Seriously lacking depth
Safeties: Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II / Nick Cross, Jaylin Simpson, Trevor Dembow
To conclude, the worst position group by far in the Colts’ depth chart. I cannot fathom a scenario where CB does not bring one or even two veteran safeties before training camp starts. Justin Simmons makes just too much sense for it not to happen, but again, he might choose to sign elsewhere. The Colts currently have Julian Blackmon, who is solid when healthy and good enough to lock up one spot, and then it is basically a toss up between Rodney Thomas II and Nick Cross. They are perhaps the exact opposite to one another, as Thomas is smart, but no athleticism at all, and Cross makes some mental mistakes, but is a gifted athlete. Neither seem like a viable starting option, and are better served as depth. Jaylin Simpson was a late round pick this past draft.
Bradley’s scheme does not put too much pressure on the safeties, but there are a lot of reasons why this defense ranked 29th in scoring, and several of them were not adressed.
Verdict: Seriosly lacking talent
- In conclusion, I am saying this right now running the risk of being labeled a “Ballard hater”, the lack of defensive depth is a big reason for concern. Time and time again Ballard refused to adress obvious positions of need, instead rolling the dice on his own developing, and it seems like for next year he will gamble even more. Of course I am running the risk of several players making the leap and no meaningful injuries happening and then I will gladly eat my words, but banking on AR ‘s presence to somehow improve one of the worst defenses in the NFL (is he playing quarterback and safety?), and a rookie edge rusher seems a bit farfetched to me. And no, I am not calling for spending the big bucks on getting free-agents, there is a sweet spot in the middle between Ryan Grigson’s lavish spending and Ballard’s frugal/stubborn approach.
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