What might be the worst-case scenario for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL draft? PFF weighs in.
What might be the worst-case scenario for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL draft?
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus recently put together what he thinks the worst-case NFL draft scenario for each team would be. For the Colts, Locker selected “neglecting the pass rush.”
“Pressure leader Dayo Odeyingbo signed with the Bears, while Kwity Paye (57.8 PFF pass-rushing grade) and Grover Stewart (5.4% pass-rush win rate) regressed in getting after the quarterback,” wrote Locker. “Laiatu Latu projects to make a jump in Year 2, but general manager Chris Ballard must still upgrade a group that slotted 28th in pressure rate a year ago.”
Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the Colts have quite a bit of production to replace after he led the team in quarterback pressures in 2024. Along the interior, improving the depth behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will be a must as well. Too often, offenses took advantage when those two weren’t on the field.
This was a Colts’ pass rush last season that ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks as is. However, that is in part a product of opponents taking advantage of the Indianapolis secondary through the quick passing game. The addition of Lou Anarumo as the defensive coordinator and his more aggressive scheme will hopefully provide the pass rush with a boost.
The name of the game is getting after the quarterback. When that happens, every other defender on the field benefits, with the quarterback lacking time to go through his reads, which beyond the sacks, can lead to mistakes.
The good news for the Colts is that this year’s draft class is loaded with talent at both the defensive end and defensive tackle positions. Of PFF’s top 50 overall prospects on their big board, 19 of them are defensive linemen.
