Breaking Down Colts Roster on Defense After NFL Draft, UDFA Signings

by Paul Bretl

Roster construction is a 365-day-a-year job in the NFL, so even with the draft behind us, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Colts’ GM Chris Ballard is done making tweaks.

However, after making nine draft picks and reportedly signing eight undrafted free agents, the Colts’ 91-man roster for the summer is pretty well set.

After going through the offensive side of the ball, it’s now time to dive into the defense. The Colts have a well-established front seven, investing heavily into the defensive front this offseason, but questions remain on the back end.

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the defensive side of the ball following the draft and undrafted free agency:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

On the roster: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Taven Bryan, DeForest Buckner, Raekwon Davis, Eric Johnson, Grover Stewart, Jonah Laulu, Isaiah Coe; Drafted: Jonah Laulu; Reported UDFA signings: Isaiah Coe

Breakdown: The Colts solidified their interior defensive line position this offseason, and not only for 2024 but beyond as well, by re-signing Grover Stewart, adding Raekwon Davis, and extending DeForest Buckner. That fourth rotational spot will be up for grabs between Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson, Jonah Laulu, and Adetomiwa Adebawore. When Stewart was on the field last season, the Colts were quite good against the run. Without him, however, not so much. The addition of Davis should boost the Colts’ run-defense depth.

DEFENSIVE END

On the roster: Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, Genard Avery, Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, Titus Leo, Samson Ebukam, Isaiah Land; Drafted: Laiatu Latu; Reported UDFA signings: None

Breakdown: This is a unit that the Colts need more consistency from in terms of generating pressure. While the Colts finished 2023 ranked fifth in sacks and had a few players hit the 8.0 sack mark, they also ranked 23rd in total pressures. If they are going to replicate that level of sack production in 2024, odds are they will have to get after the quarterback more regularly to do so.

LINEBACKER

On the roster: Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson, Zaire Franklin, Ronnie Harrison, Cameron McGrone, Segun Olubi, EJ Speed, Grant Stuard, Jaylon Carlies, Craig Young; Drafted: Jaylon Carlies; Reported UDFA signings: Craig Young

Breakdown: This feels like an already pretty well-defined position group. Franklin and Speed will be the starters. Harrison and Carlies provide versatile depth–both being former safeties. Olubi and Stuard were core special teams players. Both Speed and Harrison will be free agents in 2025. The development of Carlies this season will play a key role in dictating how the Colts address this position next offseason.

CORNERBACK

On the Roster: Darrell Baker, JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, Jaylon Jones, Chris Lammons, Kenny Moore, Ameer Speed, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham; Drafted: Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham; Reported UDFA signings: None

Breakdown: A position group that, as Gus Bradley described, is “wide open.” What we know right now is that Kenny Moore will be in the slot, and that’s about it. GM Chris Ballard spoke about the importance of getting Dallis Flowers back and that the experience gained in 2023 by players like Brents and Jones will have to be a catalyst to improved play in 2024. Given that the Colts didn’t add to the position until the fifth round of the draft suggests that internally, they are more bullish about this group than perhaps the outside world is.

SAFETY

On the Roster: Julian Blackmon, Kendell Brooks, Nick Cross, Marcel Dabo, Trevor Denbow, Daniel Scott, Rodney Thomas, Michael Tutsie; Drafted: None; Reported UDFA signings: None

Breakdown: Like cornerback, this is another position group that is wide open. Julian Blackmon will be at strong safety, but the Colts need to find his running mate at free safety. Bradley would mention following the draft that Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, and Daniel Scott will all be competing for that role. Also as we begin to have the conversation around building the 53-man roster, don’t forget about Trevor Denbow, who played 300-plus special teams snaps in 2023.

SPECIALISTS

On the roster: Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes, Spencer Shrader; Drafted: None;
Reported UDFA signings: Spencer Shrader

Breakdown: There really isn’t a lot to break down here. Rhodes received an extension last season. Sanchez was re-signed in the offseason, while Gay is under contract through 2026. My guess is that the reported addition of kicker Spencer Shrader is so that Gay doesn’t have to handle all of the reps this summer, taking some of the workload off his shoulders.

Originally posted on coltswire.com

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