Colts’ Defensive Ends Snubbed: Can Indy’s Pass Rush Rebound in 2025?

Colts' Defensive End Unit Faces Reality Check—And It’s Time to Step Up

If you’re a Colts fan, you probably don’t need ESPN to tell you what you already sense: the defensive end unit in Indy needs a serious wake-up call. But when ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped his annual list of the Top 10 defensive ends heading into the 2025 NFL season, it hit different. Not a single Colt made the cut. Not one.

No, not even on the honorable mentions list. Not even in the “others who received votes” section.

Now, that’s more than just a snub—that’s a spotlight on an area that has to improve if Indianapolis wants to be more than just an “almost-there” squad in 2025.

📉 The Numbers Don’t Lie… and They’re Not Pretty

Let’s take a quick dive into the 2024 defensive metrics that paint a clear picture. The Colts finished:

• 22nd in pressure rate

• 23rd in total pressures

• 26th in total sacks

• 21st in ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate

Ouch. That’s a lot of bottom-third rankings for a unit that’s had more than a few high draft picks invested in it over the years.

⚠️ Star Power? More Like Missing in Action

So, who's actually on this defensive line? Let's break it down.

• Dayo Odeyingbo, who led the team last year with 42 total pressures, has left for Chicago. And while 42 pressures sounds decent, it only ranked him 42nd league-wide. Not exactly elite.

• Laiatu Latu, a promising rookie last season, tied for 47th in pressures.

• Kwity Paye, who was a first-round pick just a few seasons ago and had his fifth-year option picked up, landed at 49th.

No matter how you spin that, the results are disappointing for a team that’s clearly made efforts to build this group.

🧱 A Lot of Bricks, Still No Wall

Let’s not pretend the Colts haven’t tried. They've made serious investments in the DE position:

• First-rounder Kwity Paye

• First-rounder Laiatu Latu

• A second-round pick just spent on JT Tuimoloau

• Free agent Samson Ebukam, who’s coming off a tough Achilles injury

This isn’t a unit that’s been ignored—it’s one that’s underachieving. And that’s a much harder pill to swallow.

🔄 New Scheme, New Hope?

Here’s where things could shift: enter Lou Anarumo, the new defensive coordinator. Known for his aggressive, disguise-heavy system in Cincinnati, Anarumo is expected to bring a completely different energy to this Colts defense.

One of the biggest problems last year? Quick passes. Opposing QBs were slicing up Indy’s secondary with rapid throws, making it nearly impossible for edge rushers to even get close. But with Anarumo’s disguised coverages and creative blitzes, quarterbacks might not be able to get rid of the ball so fast.

That slight hesitation—the moment of confusion—could be all the defensive line needs to break through.

🧨 Time for a Breakout?

With Odeyingbo gone, someone has to step up—and Latu is the most likely candidate. It’s time for that Year 2 leap. He’s got the tools. He showed flashes in 2024. But the Colts need more than flashes; they need consistent heat off the edge.

And what about Paye? The clock is ticking. With his fifth-year option secured, 2025 could be a make-or-break year. If he doesn't start showing he's more than just "solid," Indy might have to think long and hard about the long-term future of that investment.

🧩 It’s Gotta Be a Team Thing

Look, the Colts aren’t going to fix their edge-rushing woes with one superstar—because they don’t have one. Not yet, at least.

This has to be a collective effort. That means:

• Paye becoming the consistent anchor

• Latu taking the next big step

• Tuimoloau contributing from the jump

• Ebukam bouncing back strong

• The scheme giving them a real chance to succeed

And when all those things click? That’s when you start seeing those pressures turn into sacks, and those sacks turn into wins.

🧠 A Smarter, Faster, Stronger Defense?

One thing that’s often overlooked: when you have a pass rush that’s even just a little better, it helps every part of your defense. Corners don’t have to cover as long. Safeties can play more aggressively. Linebackers don’t get caught in no-man’s land. It’s all connected.

Pressure isn’t just about sack totals. It’s about disrupting timing. Making quarterbacks uncomfortable. Turning third-and-4 into third-and-9 because a throw was rushed and fell incomplete. That’s the kind of incremental impact this Colts front needs to start making.

🗣️ Inside Voices Are Speaking—And the Colts Weren’t Mentioned

One thing that stings most about Fowler’s rankings? They weren’t just his personal takes. He built the list by talking to NFL coaches, scouts, and executives—guys who know talent and production when they see it.

And those insiders? They didn’t even throw a courtesy vote toward a single Colts defensive end. That should be fuel for this group. If they didn’t know you before, it’s time to make sure they do by midseason.

✊ 2025 Is the Year to Flip the Narrative

The truth is, Colts fans deserve better from this position group. The front office has put resources into it. There’s raw talent here. There’s coaching. There’s opportunity.

But now, it's up to the guys on the field to make it all count. No more excuses. No more “well, almost.” The 2025 season is a chance to turn the page, start fresh, and finally live up to the potential that’s been promised for years.

Because if the Colts can finally get consistent pressure from their edge rushers? This whole defense changes. And with it, maybe the team's playoff dreams get a whole lot more real.

🔥 Quick Highlights

• Not one Colts DE made ESPN’s Top 10 or honorable mentions

• Team ranked 26th in sacks and 22nd in pressure rate last season

• Lou Anarumo’s aggressive scheme might finally unlock their potential

• Year 2 leap from Latu and rebound from Paye are absolutely critical

• Colts need to replace Odeyingbo’s production (now in Chicago)

• This isn’t about one star—it’s about the whole group showing up