For every team and general manager, roster cutdown day is filled with difficult decisions. For the Colts’ Chris Ballard, the toughest decisions for him this year came along the defensive line because of the depth and talent at that position group.
“D-line,” said Ballard without hesitation when asked on Wednesday about where his most difficult decision was. “D-line, which, two of them got claimed. We knew that was going to be a tough cut.”
Of the seven defensive tackles that were on the Colts’ 90-man roster for training camp, all are currently on a 53-man roster. There are the five players who made the Colts’ 53-man roster, along with Jonah Laulu being claimed on waivers by Las Vegas and Eric Johnson being claimed on waivers by New England.
“I’ll give Tom Telesco (the Raiders’ GM) credit now, because Jonah, he’s probably not ready but he will be one day,” added Ballard. “He’s going to be a good player. And then Eric–Eric just kept getting better.”
We knew that DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart and Raekwon Davis would be at the top of the Colts’ defensive tackle depth chart. Over the summer, we then saw the emergence of second-year player Adetomiwa Adebawore, who defensive Gus Bradley called one of the “most improved” players at defensive tackle.
For that fifth-spot, the Colts chose to keep Taven Bryan, and his experience as a pass rusher to round out that room. With the addition of Davis to help against the run, Bryan can hopefully see more pass rush downs this season.
“We got five really good players inside that are going to help us,” said Ballard. “Everybody can’t make it, so happy for both of them that they’re going to be on a 53-man roster.”
Ballard has invested heavily into the Colts’ defensive front and this should be one of the more disruptive units in football this season. As is the case for any defense, success starts in the trenches, with slowing the run game, which puts the offense in obvious passing situations, and getting pressure on the quarterback. When those two things are happening every defender benefits.
Where the Colts front can continue to improve from last season is in there run defense depth, specifically when Stewart isn’t on the field, which the addition of Davis should bolster. And despite recording the fifth-most sacks in the NFL last season, Buckner mentioned the need for a more steady pass rush, with the defense ranking 22nd in pressures in 2023.
