The Indianapolis Colts have made it a point to rebuild the defense with athleticism and speed without taking too many chances on players in free agency. The core group of defenders has come either as waiver claims or through the draft.
There some big changes made to the defensive side of the ball, including the acquisition of defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The Colts have said all along they want to have an elite player at the three-technique, and it seems they finally have it.
We took a look at the upgrades, downgrades and lateral moves on offense earlier.
As training camp begins, here’s a look at the upgrades, downgrades and lateral moves at each position on defense:
Defensive Tackle
Gained: DeForest Buckner, Robert Windsor, Sheldon Day
Lost: Margus Hunt, Trevon Coley
We will get the big one out of the way first. The defensive tackle position was arguably the biggest need for the Colts entering the offseason and they did all they could to improve it greatly.
Though he generally likes having more picks, general manager Chris Ballard sent the No. 13 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for Buckner. It was a shocking move but one that brings in a borderline elite talent to a position they believe is the engine of the defense.
With Grover Stewart returning as the starting one-technique, the Colts bolstered the depth there with the signing of Day, who also comes from San Francisco.
The defensive tackle position is an important one in the Colts’ defensive scheme, and they made some strong improvements to the unit this offseason.
Verdict: Upgrade
Defensive End
Gained: Kendall Coleman
Lost: Jabaal Sheard
Entering the offseason, the Colts figured to be among the teams in the market for a defensive end. However, they stayed still at the position and didn’t make any additions to the unit after Sheard left in free agency.
The Colts are putting a lot of their chips in the development of Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu, both of which are young, intriguing pass rushers. Al-Quadin Muhammad and Denico Autry will also see time on the edge opposite Justin Houston.
This position is a bit difficult to figure in terms of upgrading or downgrading. They lost the veteran leader in Sheard, who provided solid run defense but offered very little in the way as a pass rusher. His absence will provide the chance for Turay and Banogu to develop, giving them the chance to see more game action.
Verdict: Lateral move
Linebacker
Gained: Jordan Glasgow
Lost: Skai Moore (opt-out)
This is one of the deepest groups on the roster and because it is flush with youthful talent, the Colts didn’t make any big changes to the unit this offseason.
They did bring in the rookie Glasgow as a sixth-round pick, but he won’t be working on defense very often, if at all. He will be competing for a role on special teams and while that isn’t exciting, the Colts believe he can be a major impact in that phase of the game.
This group will have eyes on it with the competition at MIKE linebacker between Bobby Okereke and Anthony Walker Jr., though it is most likely that the Colts find ways to get them both on the field.
Verdict: Upgrade
Cornerback
Gained: Xavier Rhodes, T.J. Carrie, Isaiah Rodgers
Lost: Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Marvell Tell (opt-out)
The Colts made some interesting moves at cornerback this offseason by essentially swapping Desir for Rhodes and trading Wilson for the pick that selected Rodgers. After it was clear the depth needed work, the Colts added some versatile pieces.
Rhodes is the biggest question mark as he has been on a decline the last few seasons. Maybe it was due to injuries or maybe he’s coming to the end of his career, but there is a lot of risk with the veteran. Carrie should provide solid depth both outside and inside, but he’s unlikely to be a gamechanger.
Rodgers is an intriguing one because he has the ball skills, speed and special teams ability to have an impact relatively soon in his NFL career despite being a sixth-round pick.
The opt-out of Tell is a big blow to the depth of the position and one that was already thin on paper.
Verdict: Lateral move
Safety
Gained: Julian Blackmon
Lost: Clayton Geathers, Rolan Milligan (opt-out)
The Colts secondary has a lot of question marks and the safety position may be at the forefront of it. They allowed the veteran and oft-injured Geathers to hit free agency while adding the rookie Blackmon via a third-round pick in the draft.
This room revolves around the prospects of Malik Hooker and whether he can turn in a performance worthy of a second contract. The Colts declined his fifth-year option, which puts him under plenty of pressure to perform.
The Blackmon pick has a lot of upside but the Utah product won’t get on the field until October at the very earliest as he recovers from a torn ACL he suffered in December.
Whenever Blackmon returns to the field, it will likely result in an upgrade at the safety position.
Verdict: Slight upgrade
