The 2024 season review for the Indianapolis Colts shines a spotlight on a glaring issue: the interior defensive line’s lack of depth and the heavy reliance on DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. While these two defensive stalwarts anchor the team, the drop-off in performance when they’re off the field has been a significant concern—and it’s one the Colts cannot afford to ignore moving forward.
Let’s start by acknowledging the impact of Buckner and Stewart. These two are game-changers, commanding attention from opposing offenses and holding the line both in the pass rush and against the run. However, football is a team sport, and the Colts’ success shouldn’t rest solely on their shoulders. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened this past season.
When Buckner and Stewart took a breather or were unavailable, the Colts’ defensive line became an Achilles’ heel. Opposing offenses didn’t just exploit the gaps—they feasted. The supporting cast, primarily Raekwon Davis and Taven Bryan, struggled to make an impact. To put it bluntly, the numbers paint a bleak picture. Davis and Bryan combined for a mere 12 quarterback pressures across 333 pass rush snaps. In a league driven by pressuring the quarterback, that’s a stat line that won’t cut it.
A Deeper Dive into the Numbers For some context, Pro Football Focus (PFF) metrics provide a clearer view of the situation. Bryan ranked a disappointing 96th in pass-rush productivity among eligible interior defenders, while Davis fared even worse at 122nd out of 124. These rankings measure how frequently a player disrupts the quarterback, with a heavier emphasis on sacks. Simply put, Bryan and Davis weren’t creating enough chaos up front.
The struggles weren’t limited to pass rushing either. Against the run, the performance was equally disheartening. Using PFF’s run-stop rate, Bryan ranked 120th out of 153 defenders, and Davis came in at 149th. Opposing offenses capitalized on these weaknesses, moving the ball with relative ease whenever Buckner and Stewart were off the field. It’s not just about stats—it’s about the game-changing plays that weren’t happening.
The Consequences of Overreliance Because of the lack of depth, Buckner and Stewart were leaned on heavily, often playing an unsustainable number of snaps. Bryan and Davis, in comparison, logged only about 30% of the defensive snaps each. While rotational play is standard for defensive linemen, the disparity in workload was stark. Overworking Buckner and Stewart isn’t a sustainable strategy, especially considering the physical toll of the position. Defensive line play is grueling, and even the best players need quality backups to maintain their effectiveness throughout a long season.
GM Chris Ballard’s Challenge General Manager Chris Ballard has a history of investing in the defensive line, which was evident this season when the Colts boasted the highest-paid defensive line in the NFL. Yet, despite the financial commitment, the depth wasn’t good enough. The Colts’ interior rotation simply didn’t hold up, leaving a glaring gap that must be addressed this offseason.
So, what’s the plan? The Colts need to bolster their interior defensive line with reinforcements that can genuinely contribute. This isn’t just about finding players to fill roster spots; it’s about identifying talent that can take some of the pressure off Buckner and Stewart without causing a significant drop in performance. Depth isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustained success.
Key Takeaways and What’s Next
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The Numbers Don’t Lie: Davis and Bryan’s combined pass rush production and run-stop rates are alarmingly low, highlighting a critical need for improvement.
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Heavy Workload for Buckner and Stewart: Over-relying on these two stars risks burnout and diminishes their long-term effectiveness.
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Reinforcements Are a Must: GM Chris Ballard’s offseason priorities should include adding quality depth to the interior defensive line to maintain competitiveness in both the run and pass game.
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Investing Smartly: While the Colts have spent big on their defensive line, those resources need to translate into better depth and rotational options.
Looking ahead, the Colts’ success in 2024 and beyond hinges on their ability to shore up this critical area. Buckner and Stewart can’t do it all—and they shouldn’t have to. By addressing these issues, the Colts can solidify their defensive line as a true strength, not just at the top but throughout the roster. The challenge is clear, and the path forward is equally so: prioritize depth, invest wisely, and build a unit that can withstand the demands of an NFL season.
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