Colts anticipate growth and defense-related improvements in 2024.
A year ago, the Colts made a deliberate change to their defense, bringing in youth at the back end of Gus Bradley’s unit and adding veterans up front.
Veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Brandon Facyson left, along with safety Rodney McLeod Jr.; free agents Samson Ebukam, Jake Martin, and defensive tackle Taven Bryan joined. To cover those spots, the Colts turned to draft selections (cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones) and a few returning second-year players (safeties Rodney Thomas II, Nick Cross, and Dallis Flowers).
General manager Chris Ballard stated, “We had some veteran players – then I just said look, we’re going to go young in some spots.” We had some difficult times in the secondary, but I don’t entirely blame them for it because we went there too young. I put that more on myself, but if you don’t just play them, how do you ever create any kind of continuity, especially with your own guys? I thus chose to marry young.”
As is often the case with targeted youth movements, the outcomes were uneven. Flowers’ breakout performance against the Los Angeles Rams, which resulted in an Achilles injury that ended the season, was just one of Flowers, Jones, and Brents’ individual highlights. However, the Colts finished 2023 with the sixth-highest explosive play rate allowed in the NFL (14.7 percent of opponent pass attempts gained at least 15 yards). Additionally, the Colts allowed 24.4 points per game, which ranked 28th in the NFL, despite setting a franchise record for sacks with 51 (fifth in the NFL).
We had some setbacks, but in the long run, I believe it will be beneficial for them,” Ballard stated. “On defense, I believe we added five or six new starters. Now, we have accomplished some good things. It’s not like nothing is good.
“It is necessary to reduce the points. We will keep having lengthy conversations about our goals and strategies for achieving them. Having said that, our defense featured fresh starters. We also accomplished some worthwhile goals. We made decent headway on the passer. Although I believe it could be a bit better, 51 sacks is still a respectable total. took the ball away; we must improve a little bit in that regard and
The Colts’ next decisions will involve three players who began playing in 2023 and are set to become unrestricted free agents: defensive tackle Grover Stewart, safety Julian Blackmon, and cornerback Kenny Moore II. The Colts’ secondary was dominated by veterans Moore (seven seasons) and Blackmon (four seasons), but Stewart has established himself as one of the best and most valuable run-stuffing interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Tyquan Lewis, Bryan, and Martin are three more defensive line depth players for the Colts who are set to hit free agency.
However, a developing defensive core will influence decisions about those players, outside free agents, and the NFL Draft. In Year 3, linebacker Zaire Franklin set the franchise record for tackles in consecutive seasons, while 2021 draft picks Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwity Paye recorded career highs in sacks. In his first season as a full-time starter, fellow linebacker EJ Speed also recorded over 100 tackles and several big plays against the run and pass. Naturally, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is still a formidable presence in the middle of the Colts’ front seven. In spite of a high percentage of double teams from opponents, he had the seventh-highest pass rush win percentage (15.3%) among defensive tackles.
In 2024, Bradley will be in his third season as the defensive coordinator of the Colts, and the team believes they have a strong core in place for him to work with. Then, add in those young defensive backs who saw playing time in 2023 on purpose.
“This year we were able to set a franchise record in sacks and little things like that,” Buckner stated. “Obviously, we have some young guys all over the place on the defense, but obviously there are always places to grow – up front and in the back end.”
In 2024, Bradley will be in his third season as the defensive coordinator of the Colts, and the team believes they have a strong core in place for him to work with. Then, add in those young defensive backs who saw playing time in 2023 on purpose.
“This year we were able to set a franchise record in sacks and little things like that,” Buckner stated. “Obviously, we have some young guys all over the place on the defense, but obviously there are always places to grow – up front and in the back end.
