The Indianapolis Colts may have the mentality of reloading on the offensive side of the ball, but it was apparent this offseason they are still rebuilding the defensive side at all three levels.
The Colts have a strong mix of youthful talent and veteran leadership on the defense. The unit has a lot of upside to continue its progression, and there are several players that hold roles of import during the 2019 season.
We went through the most important Colts on offense, so let’s take a look at the 11 most important Colts on the defensive side of the ball:
No. 11: S Clayton Geathers
Starting off the list is the veteran Geathers, who re-signed with the Colts on a one-year deal this offseason. Though he’s missed the spring workouts following a knee procedure, Geathers is still expected to be the starter alongside Malik Hooker.
While the UCF product has immense talent working near the line of scrimmage, he has suffered several injuries throughout his career. It has kept him from reaching his full potential as an enforcer in the defensive backfield.
Still, Geathers is an important piece of the Colts defense if he can stay healthy. The entire secondary would get a boost in addition to the run defense if Geathers is on the field.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 10: DL Tyquan Lewis
The Colts had really high hopes for Lewis when the selected him as one of four second-round picks in the 2018 draft. His athleticism and versatility would allow him to compete for a role early in his rookie season, but a toe injury kept him off the field until Week 10.
After that, Lewis worked in a role that saw him play both as an edge rusher and an interior pass rusher in the four-man front. He showed some flashes that he can be a solid penetrator with the versatility to work up and down the line but suffered a knee injury that kept him out of the playoffs.
If Lewis can continue to develop his game as an interior pass rusher, the entire defense will take a step forward.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 9: DL Margus Hunt
Don’t be surprised that the defensive line has the most players on this list. The entire unit holds a lot of weight in terms of the potential success of the defense in 2019. That includes the veteran Hunt, who signed a two-year extension this offseason.
Hunt holds a big role because he’s so strong against the run. The Colts have one true nose tackle in Grover Stewart, but Hunt has been the most productive working from the one-technique.
The 31-year-old Estonian will reprise his role as a starter looking to penetrate the interior offensive line much like he did in 2018 when he was a major reason the Colts didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher throughout the regular season.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 8: CB Quincy Wilson
The cornerback room will be fun to watch during training camp and the preseason games. One player of note in the room to keep an eye on is Wilson, who enters his third—and most crucial—season yet.
Wilson will be competing for a spot on the boundary in the secondary, but he won’t be limited to just that. He’s been working at several spots in the third level of the defense as the Colts look to find the right situation for the Florida product.
If Wilson can start to show the fruits of potential the Colts saw when they drafted him in the second round in 2017, the defense will be a much better unit.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 7: DE Jabaal Sheard
While Sheard might not be the menacing pass rusher that racks up double-digit sacks each year, he’s a much-needed veteran presence along the defensive line. He’s an underrated pass rusher with the bulk of his production coming as a strong edge setter against the run.
The Colts need the defensive line to be a consistent unit in 2019 both against the run and when rushing the passer. Sheard has been about as consistent as it gets and while an increase in sacks would be nice, his role setting the edge is vital to the units’ success.
Couple all of that with the fact that he’s one of the biggest leaders in the locker room and in the community and Sheard’s importance to the defense grows exponentially.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 6: S Malik Hooker
The Colts defensive scheme may have hindered the opportunities for Hooker to make big plays in 2018, but that shouldn’t take away from his value to the unit.
Finally fully healthy, Hooker is participating in the spring workouts for the first time in his career. The former first-round pick is a big part of the defense, especially when it comes to working as a single-high safety.
Opposing offenses didn’t like to target Hooker’s side of the field in 2018, and he’s even more valuable when able to roam centerfield. If he’s able to stay healthy for the majority of the 2019 season, the secondary should continue its ascension.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 5: CB Kenny Moore
The NFL is continuing the movement toward 11 personnel on offense, which means the need for a solid slot cornerback is as high as its ever been. Fortunately for the Colts, they found a gem in Moore when they claimed him from the New England Patriots in 2017.
What Moore lacks in size, he makes up for in wingspan, athleticism and sticky coverage. He’s shown to have the ability to stick with the fastest receivers in the league while also being able to press and sit in a zone with eyes on the quarterback.
Moore was also used as a nickel blitzer during the second half of the season in 2018. He’s a versatile piece in the secondary and the more ways the Colts can get him involved, the better the pass defense will be.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 4: DE Kemoko Turay
This isn’t to say that Turay is the fourth-best defender the Colts have. Those rankings would look very different. However, his value and development in Year 2 are extremely important to the defense in 2019.
Turay started off his rookie season strong seeing many snaps off the edge while even making a few starts. However, injuries kept him from producing consistently, and he eventually fell into a platoon role with Al-Quadin Muhammad.
Turay has been working, though, and if he can take a step or two forward in his development as a pass rusher, the Colts front seven will be extremely grateful.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 3: DT Denico Autry
In today’s game, interior pressure from the defensive line is a necessity. Autry showed in 2018 that he’s a perfect fit to be a constant disruptor from the three-technique en route to leading the entire defense with 9.0 sacks.
Autry simply needs to stay healthy for the entire campaign and while he will be competing with the aforementioned Tyquan Lewis at the three-technique, his value as an upfield pass rusher is huge for a Colts defense that thrives on getting consistent pressure on the quarterback.
Autry holds a lot of value working the interior defensive line. His speed and burst off the ball help him penetrate the top of the pocket quickly neutralizing any chance for a quarterback to step up.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 2: DE Justin Houston
The biggest addition to the defensive side of the ball this offseason is one that the Colts are hoping will have immediate results. Houston might not be the pass rusher he once was, but he has a chance to make a major impact early on.
The Colts went out and signed Houston in free agency for the sole reason that they need to increase production when rushing the passer. Houston will be converting full-time to defensive end, which will emphasize the best part of his game.
The addition of Houston should allow for the development of the younger pass rushers to take place. He’s also expected to start Week 1 as one of the edge rushers leading the front seven.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
No. 1: LB Darius Leonard
There is no one more important to the Colts defense than the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Leonard is coming off of a historic rookie campaign that saw him lead the league in tackles and earn his first selection as a First-Team All-Pro.
Because of Leonard’s range, instincts, tackling ability and leadership qualities on the field, the high-motor linebacker is the impact player opposing offenses have to game plan around. Not only is Leonard one of the best run defenders in the league, he showed a noticeable improvement in coverage as the season progressed.
There isn’t much to say about Leonard’s importance to the defense. He’s the heart of the unit and will be a cornerstone for years to come.
No. 11 – No. 10 – No. 9 – No. 8 – No. 7 – No. 6 – No. 5 – No. 4 – No. 3 – No. 2 – No. 1
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