ESPN ranks all 32 interior DL units: Colts among the best

ESPN put together its ranking of all 32 interior defensive line units ahead of the 2024 NFL season, and not surprisingly, the Colts rank among the best.

This is a position group that GM Chris Ballard invested heavily into during the offseason. He would re-sign Grover Stewart, sign Raekwon Davis as an outside addition during free agency, and extend DeForest Buckner.

Buckner continues to be a high-impact player against both the run and the pass. Stewart remains one of the top run defenders in football while adding Davis bolsters the Colts’ run defense depth for when Stewart isn’t on the field.

One positional battle that will take place this summer for the Colts is figuring out who the fourth member of the interior defensive line rotation will be. Competing for that roster spot will be Adetomiwa Adebawore, Eric Johnson, and Taven Bryan.

Now, without further ado, here is where the Colts’ interior defensive line unit ranks among the rest of the NFL:

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32. Los Angeles Chargers

Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Morgan Fox, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, Poona Ford, Justin Eboigbe

31. Houston Texans

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Folorunso Fatukasi, Kurt Hinish, Khalil Davis, Tim Settle, Mario Edwards Jr.

30. Arizona Cardinals

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols, L.J. Collier, Dante Stills, Roy Lopez

29. New Orleans Saints

Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee, Khalen Saunders, Kendal Vickers, Jack Heflin

28. Chicago Bears

Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Byron Cowart, Michael Dwumfour

27. Minnesota Vikings

Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy

26. Los Angeles Rams

Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Bobby Brown III, Larrell Murchison, Desjuan Johnson

25. Miami Dolphins

Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, Jonathan Harris, Da’Shawn Hand, Neville Gallimore

24. Dallas Cowboys

Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports

Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Chauncey Golston, Carl Davis, Viliami Fehoko

23. New York Giants

Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Jordan Phillips, D.J. Davidson, Jordon Riley

22. Philadelphia Eagles

Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, PJ Mustipher

21. New England Patriots

Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

20. New York Jets

Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Quinnen Williams, Javon Kinlaw, Solomon Thomas, Leki Fotu, Jalyn Holmes

19. Tennessee Titans

Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A Tennessee Titans helmet sits in the end zone before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Jeffery Simmons, Sebastian Joseph-Day, T’Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn, TK McLendon Jr

18. Buffalo Bills

Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, Daquan Jones, DeShawn Williams, DeWayne Carter

17. Denver Broncos

Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Allen, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Matt Henningsen, Angelo Blackson

16. Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, Kris Jenkins, Zachary Carter, McKinnley Jackson

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dec 1, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets sit on an equipment box before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, Logan Hall, Greg Gaines, William Gholston

14. Carolina Panthers

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, A’Shawn Robinson, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray

13. Cleveland Browns

Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Maurice Hurst, Michael Hall Jr

12. San Francisco 49ers

Dec 9, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, Jordan Elliott, Kevin Givens, T.Y. McGill

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Arik Armstead, Roy Robertson-Harris, Adam Gotsis, Maason Smith, Davon Hamilton

10. Washington Commanders

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Jer’Zhan Newton, John Ridgeway, Phidarian Mathis

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Wilkins, John Jenkins, Adam Butler, Byron Young, Nesta Jade Silvera

8. Green Bay Packers

Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Tedarrell Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry

6. Baltimore Ravens

Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Madubuike, Travis Jones, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington Jr., Brent Urban

5. Kansas City Chiefs

Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chris D. Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, Neil Farrell Jr.

4. Atlanta Falcons

Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Grady Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ruke Orhorhoro, Ta’Quon Graham, Lacale London

3. Seattle Seahawks

Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Dre’Mont Jones, Johnathan Hankins

2. Detroit Lions

Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Alim McNeill, D.J. Reader, John Cominsky, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko

1. Indianapolis Colts

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson