Top 5 Graded Colts on Defense in 2023

Pro Football Focus believes the Indianapolis Colts' defensive line carried Gus Bradley's defense throughout the season.

The Indianapolis Colts fell just short of the NFL playoffs in 2023, finishing with a 9-8 record in their first season under rookie head coach Shane Steichen.

Although they missed the playoffs, many consider Indy's season a success. Many experts did not expect them to have a winning record, let alone compete for the AFC South title. Steichen looks to be a star in the making as a head coach, and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson displayed electric potential before injury cut his season short. While there is still work to do, the Colts are excited for 2024 and beyond.

According to the grades from Pro Football Focus, numerous players performed at a high level on defense for the Colts this year. Let's dissect the five players who graded the highest for the Colts during the 2023 season.

Note: The player must have played at least 25% of the snaps to be eligible.

1.) DE Samson Ebukam - 84.4 Overall Grade

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When the Colts signed Samson Ebukam to a three-year, $24 million deal last March, the news flew under the radar as another low-level free agent signing. The result was much more, as Ebukam became the most productive pass rusher for the Colts in 2023. Ebukam finished the season with 57 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 17 QB hits.

Ebukam was the Colts' highest-graded defender in his first season with the team, finishing with an overall grade of 84.4 in 2023. Ebukam was second on the team against the run, with an 80.0 run defense grade after registering 38 stops on the season. His 72.6 pass rush grade ranked third on the Colts, as Ebukam tallied 48 pressures and 30 hurries on opposing quarterbacks.

The free agent signing of Ebukam paid off as the pass rusher was PFF's No.15 ranked edge defender in the league. While it may not have generated buzz at the time, Ebukam has already proven to be one of the best free agent signings in Ballard's tenure, with more high-level production likely to come.

2.) DT DeForest Buckner - 81.8 Overall Grade

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Since the Colts traded for him in 2020, DeForest Buckner has not failed to produce excellence on the field. The former All-Pro was at it again in 2023, leading a Colts' defensive line that helped set the Indy franchise record for sacks in a season at 51. Buckner tallied 81 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble returned for a touchdown, and 21 QB hits.

Buckner finished the season as the second-highest-graded defender on the Colts, with an overall grade of 81.8. He held the Colts' highest pass rush grade at an elite 87.1 (T-fourth in the NFL among DTs), leading the team in pressures (52) and QB hits. Against the run, Buckner put up a 63.8 grade with 43 stops at the defensive tackle spot.

Buckner was one of the best defensive tackles in the league yet again, ranking as the No.12 interior defender in the NFL. While Buckner may not get as much national attention as others, he is still an elite difference-maker and crucial to the Colts' success.

3.) CB Kenny Moore II - 77.4 Overall Grade

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After two defensive linemen begin this list, the attention turns to a member of the Colts' secondary. Kenny Moore II rebounded nicely from a rocky 2022 and reinserted himself in the conversation for best slot cornerback in the NFL. Moore finished with 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, two interception returns for touchdowns, six passes defensed, and 1.5 sacks.

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Moore was the third-highest-graded defender for the Colts, with an overall grade of 77.4. Moore led the Colts with a coverage grade of 79.3 after allowing just 9.3 per reception and a QB rating of 98.3 when targeted. He also helped against the run with a 71.5 run defense grade after registering 34 stops.

Moore's bounce-back season placed him as the No.18 ranked cornerback in the NFL. With Moore set to be a free agent this spring, he has likely earned another long-term extension to stay in Indy as the leader of the secondary.

4.) DT Grover Stewart - 76.2 Overall Grade

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Back to the defensive line as the other half of the Colts' dynamic duo on the inside makes the list. Grover Stewart, who served a six-game suspension during the season, continued to make a massive impact on the Colts' defense. Stewart had 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and eight QB hits in 11 games.

Big Grove comes in as the fourth-highest-graded defender for Ind, with an overall grade of 76.2. His 77.3 run defense grade (fifth in the NFL among DTs) displays how important Stewart was against the ground game, racking up 24 stops. Stewart was also a sure-handed tackler, posting a 71.1 tackling grade with only three missed tackles on the year.

Stewart, like Moore, will be a free agent this spring. Look for Stewart to be a high priority for the Colts as they look to bring back one of their most important defenders.

5.) DE Kwity Paye - 74.3 Overall Grade

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Rounding out the top five is the fourth Colts' starter on the defensive line, further proving just how well the unit played in 2023. Kwity Paye put together the best season of his three-year career as he looks to establish himself as a cornerstone of the team's future. Paye tallied 52 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and nine QB hits.

Paye finishes Year 3 as the Colts' fifth-highest-graded player, with an overall grade of 74.3. Paye's 78.1 run defense grade ranked fourth on the Colts last season, as the former first-round pick registered 28 stops. Paye still has some work to do as a pass rusher, posting a 62.2 grade in this area with 28 pressures and 18 hurries.

2023 saw Paye take a nice jump in his play. However, with a decision looming on his fifth-year option, Paye must take another leap forward and solidify himself as a more consistent and dangerous pass rusher in 2024.

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