5 Way-Too-Early Predictions for Indianapolis Colts Defense

The Indianapolis Colts had a solid defense in 2022 and look to continue with high-energy, new players and rookie talents.

Last season wasn’t a fun one for the Indianapolis Colts.

However, the defense typically played consistently, alert, and at times, won the entire game with their performances.

Despite that notable names like cornerback Stephon Gilmore (now with the Dallas Cowboys) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (currently a free agent) are heading elsewhere during the offseason, the Colts drafted well enough on defense to fill the gaps.

With such a new look for Gus Bradley’s department, it’s time to give five predictions/milestones that could happen in 2023. As with the offense, the defense must be accounted for.

To start will be the entire defense but with a focus on the defensive trenches.

1.) The Colts Will Have a Top Defensive Front/Run Defense

© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

As it’s been exhausting to say, the Colts had a defense that played solid in 2022. However, they would wilt in the latter half of the season.

One impressive area was the defensive front consisting of ends Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo, as well as tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. It should be said that Odeyingbo had limited snaps, and Paye struggled with injuries. Enter 2023, and it can be a different story.

While Ngakoue’s departure hurts the pass rush, it can help the run defense. Last season playing 733 defensive snaps, Ngakoue finished tenth out of 12 possible players on the Colts’ front in run defense grade. He’d post a 43.7, per Pro Football Focus.

Now a Colt, new addition Samson Ebukam brings more stability to stop the ground attack. Last season as a San Francisco 49er, Ebukam was fourth on the team out of 14 possible players on their defensive line against the run, finishing with a 63.7. He also played only 52 snaps less than Ngakoue.

With Ebukam getting more opportunities, Paye and Odeyingbo potentially getting the go-ahead as the premier edge rushers, and the front of Stewart, and Buckner, it can be a great group. Not to mention, there’s the newly drafted tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore out of Northwestern.

This is a team that could generate a lot of issues for the opponent’s offensive lines and ground attacks.

2.) Grover Stewart Will Be Nominated to His First Pro Bowl

© Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Buckner gets the attention quite often and with great reason; he has been one of the most disruptive and efficient defensive tackles in the NFL for years.

However, his counterpart Stewart is an overlooked gem in the defensive trenches.

Should 2022 go a bit differently, you’d be looking at a 2022 Pro Bowl nomination for Stewart, but it wasn’t to be.

Last season Stewart had 70 tackles, 7 QB hits, and constantly was in the face of quarterbacks. He also was a solid run-stopper in the interior. If all things align with the entire defensive front, I can see the below numbers as a reality.

• 17 games
• 65 tackles
• 7 sacks
• 10 QB hits
• 2 fumbles forced
• 3 passes defended

3.) Shaquille Leonard Returns to Form

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

After an injury would derail most of his 2022, Leonard is due for a bounce-back season.

The three-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year played three games due to back surgery near the end of 2022.

Linebackers Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke (now with the New York Giants) shared the responsibilities of replacing Leonard. E.J. Speed also played well for the linebacking corp.

Now that Speed has the reigns as a starter, these three together could be a great tandem. Franklin just came off the heels of setting the all-time single-season tackle record for the Colts (167), and Speed is coming off the best campaign of his career. If these two can continue that momentum and Leonard is close to 100 percent, he could have numbers like below:

• 17 games
• 115 total tackles (74 solo)
• 3 interceptions
• 10 passes defended
• 4 forced fumbles
• 1 defensive touchdown

4.) JuJu Brents Will Make an Impact in Year One/Lead Team in Interceptions

© Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts needed cornerback depth and got started with Kansas State’s Brents in the second round of the NFL draft.

Brents will make mistakes because he’s a rookie, but he has the athleticism and playmaking ability to do great things in his debut season for Indianapolis.

Projecting numbers without knowing how many snaps he’ll play is difficult. But, should he start (as I expect), there’s a great case to be made that he could lead the team in interceptions. His teammate, safety Rodney Thomas II, did just that in 2022 with 4 as a rookie.

If he plays all 17 games, I can see Brents leading the team in that category come the end of the 2023 regular season.

5.) Kenny Moore II Also Returns to Form

Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Moore is coming off a lousy season and will look to bounce back to his Pro Bowl ways. In 2021, Moore had 102 tackles, 4 interceptions, and an impressive 13 passes defended. He did this in now-Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ defense.

Onto 2022 and it’s now Bradley’s scheme, which Moore didn’t adapt to well. He would also suffer injuries in the latter half of the season.

With the infusion of talent and a new feeling in the building, Moore has a huge chance to lead the defensive backs room with an excellent 2023 showing. Here’s what I believe a full year could look like.

• 17 games
• 86 tackles
• 3 interceptions
• 12 passes defended

Outlook

The Colts have nowhere to go but up in 2023. The defense has a great mind, like Bradley leading the charge, as well as multiple new weapons added in free agency and the draft. Could the above predictions come true? It’s too early to tell. But it’s not out of the question with the potential that this defense has.

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