A preview of the defensive line’s second year under DL Coach Charlie Partridge.
Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts defense heads into 2025 for the second season under defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
This past season saw a step back in production from the year prior, particularly from a pass-rush standpoint, but the talent across the defensive front is by no means lacking. The Colts’ defense lost its best pass rusher production-wise, Samson Ebukam, to an Achilles tear before the 2024-25 season began, while the acclimation to Partridge’s scheme proved to be a slow climb.
The Colts’ defensive line lost its most versatile member in Dayo Odeyingbo to the Chicago Bears in free agency this past offseason, but the additions of JT Tuimoloau in the NFL Draft and Samson Ebukam via a return from injury could prove fruitful for Lou Anarumo’s first season as defensive coordinator.
Projected Starters
Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye
There isn’t much that needs to be said about the all-league interior defensive line duo of DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Both have remained at the top of their games despite approaching the twilight years of their respective careers. Stewart is still the gap-filling, run-stuffing menace that he’s always been, whereas the All-Pro talent of DeForest Buckner reveals itself year in and year out. The only true concern for either of them at this point is whether or not they’ll stay healthy.
The Ed McGilvra-trained defensive end pair of Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye is expected to start under Lou Anarumo in year one. Paye led the defense in sacks a season ago, though the line’s step back in production allowed for ample clean-up. Latu flashed in his rookie season but is now hopeful to take that next step as the defense’s pass rusher of the future. Not to suggest that the defense’s overall performance hinges on how much Latu progresses as a sophomore in the NFL, but a true ascension would do wonders for not only the current day Colts, but the future as a whole.
Backups/Rotational
Samson Ebukam, JT Tuimoloau, Tyquan Lewis, Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore
As previously mentioned, Samson Ebukam is returning from one of the most brutal injuries a professional athlete could sustain: an Achilles tear. Despite a clear progression in recent years, one that resulted in a career-high 9.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 2023, Ebukam’s return-to-form is simply not expected, given that he is a 30-year-old pass rusher whose entire game centers around his explosiveness. It’s no secret that Ebukam is talented, but Father Time plays a big part in his return to the gridiron.
Both former Ohio State Buckeyes, rookie JT Tuimoloau and Tyquan Lewis, offer versatility across the defensive front for the upcoming season. Lewis has mainly struggled to stay on the field due to an unfortunate series of injuries to start his NFL career, whereas Tuimoloau is a recent second-round pick who is slated to have a big role as a fifth/sixth man on the defensive line. Both have enough versatility to play inside or out, though neither quite possesses the upside that Dayo Odeyingbo provided in recent years.
Furthermore, the projected backup interior defensive line of Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore features two slightly different players in size, yet both are among the most athletic in the room. Both standing at 6’2”, Gallimore is the bigger counterpart who has the frame to blossom into a true nose tackle at 310 lbs, while Adebawore is a pass-rushing DT who is looking to carve out a role as the new and improved Taven Bryan role of yesteryear.
Fringe Active Roster/Practice Squad
Isaiah Land, Tim Smith, Devonta Davis, Eric Johnson II, Desmond Little, Durell Nchami
Isaiah Land is a unique player who has more versatility to his game than the surface may suggest. A young player who has flashed as both a pass rusher and run stopper, Land can even play in off-ball positioning. He certainly has the upper hand over anyone in this group to make the active roster.
Tim Smith was a day three draft selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and became the first Alabama player picked in the Chris Ballard era. Regardless of this tidbit, Smith is a top-tier run defender among all defensive tackles in this past draft class. Although he’s a below-average athlete, Smith’s high floor as a run-defender, as well as his playstyle, could very well prove to catapult him above Neville Gallimore on the depth chart following training camp.
As for the rest of the group, athleticism and traits stand out. Likely the defensive line that rounds out the practice squad, these four (Johnson II, Davis, Little, Nchami) have training camp to prove themselves as to what pecking order they’ll be slated in for the upcoming season.