1 day Ago By Colts Wire
With the 2025 NFL draft now behind us, what does the Indianapolis Colts' depth chart at each position on defense now look like?If you missed our preview of the offense, you can find that here.While there are still some free agents out there, salary cap space available, and the Colts have to finalize their UDFA additions, where the current roster stands at the moment, is largely the group that Indianapolis is going to enter training camp with.So, let's take a 30,000-foot view of the defensive side of the ball and the state of this unit with a position-by-position look at the Colts' roster.
Colts defensive lineDE Samson EbukamDE Isaiah LandDE Laiatu LatuJT TuimoloauDE Tyquan LewisDE Durell NchamiDE Kwity PayeDT Adetomiwa AdebaworeDT DeForest BucknerDT Tim SmithDT Neville GallimoreDT Pheldarius PayneDT Grover StewartWe know that GM Chris Ballard has prioritized building through the defensive line, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he invested two picks into this unit, but regardless, I was glad to see that it happened. Without Dayo Odeyingbo, there are a lot of snaps and production to be replaced, and JT Tuimoloau is someone who can come in and make an instant impact at defensive end. At Ohio State, he was a three-down defender, productive against both the run and the pass, and he brings some multi-gap versatility to the Colts as well.
The addition of Smith, meanwhile, bolsters the depth behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner, which was a big need. Too often last season, when those two weren't on the field, offenses took advantage. At such a heavily rotated position, depth is crucial.
Colts linebackersAustin AjiakeLiam AndersonJaylon CarliesZaire FranklinCameron McGroneSegun OlubiHunter WohlerWohler provides some needed depth at this position, and his background as a college safety provides Lou Anarumo with a versatile presence who can fill different roles in a variety of situations. He can also potentially help fill the special teams void that now exists without Grant Stuard. However, one question that still remains here is, can Jaylon Carlies fill that starting role next to Zaire Franklin? Ballard thinks very highly of Carlies, but he is still a relatively inexperienced player who is presumably stepping into a major role.
Colts cornerbacksCorey BallentineJuJu BrentsAlex JohnsonJaylon JonesJustin WalleyDavid Long Jr.Kenny MooreCharvarius WardSamuel WomackWhile this position group needed a lot of work entering the offseason, I thought Ballard did a 180 with this unit by bringing in Charvarius Ward and reinforcing the depth by also signing veteran Corey Ballentine. So I was surprised to see the Colts draft Justin Walley in the third round, given they had needs elsewhere.
This potentially puts the Colts in a position where they either roster seven cornerbacks or potentially one of Ballentine or Sam Womack could be left off the 53-man.Colts safetiesCam BynumNick CrossRodney ThomasMarcel DaboDaniel ScottBallard said we could see Wohler at safety some, which will help, but even with the addition of Cam Bynum in free agency, the safety depth right now is a big, big question mark. If Ballard is going to make a free agent addition at some point, from a pure numbers and depth standpoint, safety may be at the top of the list.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Colts' updated depth chart on defense.
