The defensive line may not be a pressing need for the Indianapolis Colts, but the depth of this year’s draft class very well may have GM Chris Ballard’s attention.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently put out version 2.0 of his top 50 prospects big board and it included a whopping 14 defensive linemen.
Eight of those players were defensive ends or edge rushers, and six were interior defenders.
We all know Ballard’s affinity for adding to the defensive line, and as the Philadelphia Eagles showcased in the Super Bowl, a dominant unit up front can control an entire game.
But when it comes to the current state of the Colts roster, defensive tackle and defensive end aren’t pressing needs because of the past investments–both in cap space and draft capital–that Ballard has made.
Still leading the charge at those positions for the Colts in 2025 are Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, Grove Stewart, and DeForest Buckner, among others.
However, with that said, that doesn’t mean a need doesn’t exist either.
Dayo Odeyingbo–who led the Colts in pressures last season–is a free agent, and if playing elsewhere, that’s a lot of production to replace. Samson Ebukam could also be a cut candidate.
Along the interior, the depth behind Stewart and Buckner has to improve–not to mention that Taven Bryan is a free agent and Raekwon Davis is another cut candidate. Both players in 2024 ranked near the bottom in PFF’s pass rush win rate and run stop rate metrics.
The Indianapolis run defense last season too often surrendered big plays, while their pass rush ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks–although the quick passing game that opposing offenses attacked the Colts’ secondary with didn’t help the defensive line out.
Tight end, cornerback, safety, and maybe even the offensive line, depending on Will Fries’ future, are all bigger needs than the defensive line. But one can easily justify why an addition or two has to be made. That, coupled with it being a really strong draft class in the defensive trenches, and the recipe is there for Ballard to make another addition at some point.