The Indianapolis Colts struggled defensively in 2024, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t bright spots sprinkled throughout the roster.

The Colts’ defensive line hit a peak in 2023 by setting an Indianapolis-era record of 51 sacks. In 2024, that number decreased substantially to just 36 sacks due to injuries and a string of less-efficient performances.

Regardless, the Colts’ interior defensive linemen have shown up time and time again. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are stalwart defensive tackles who bring veteran knowledge and tough play to Indy’s front seven.

Stewart and Buckner are entering their 9th and 10th years in the NFL, respectively. Both have been with the Colts for at least five seasons, marking their name in Indianapolis history with every play they make.

Pro Football Focus expert Trevor Sikkema took the time to rank every interior lineman and placed Buckner in the top 10 at eighth place.

“Buckner was once again a top-10 interior defender in PFF overall grade (81.7) in 2024,” Sikkema wrote. “He also places sixth at the position with 0.85 PFF WAR over the past three seasons. Just one of Buckner’s past eight seasons has yielded a PFF overall grade below 79.0.”

Buckner’s consistency has been the difference for the Colts at many times. He suffered a short injury stint last season for the first time in three years, but still recorded 6.5 sacks and 61 total tackles in 12 games played.

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Further down the list was Stewart, whom Sikkema ranked as the 24th-best interior defender in the league.

“Stewart recorded the 17th-highest single-season PFF overall grade among interior defenders last season (76.1). His 78.7 PFF run-defense grade also ranked seventh at the position. Though he is one-dimensional, Stewart is excellent at what he does best.”

As Sikkema mentioned, Stewart is one of the top run defenders in football. At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, Stewart has been able to consistently penetrate opposing offensive lines and force the running back to a different part of the field.

According to ESPN, Stewart recorded 18 stuffs in 2024. A stuff is considered a tackle for no gain or for a loss on a rushing play. His ability to get in the backfield early is a true difference maker for the Colts, and will be needed again in Lou Anarumo’s scheme.

The Colts must be able to rely on Stewart and Buckner to stay on the field and disrupt opposing passers and ball carriers to limit big plays from the start. If the two are able to set the tone, the rest of the defense can follow.

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We have a long ways to go before decisions have to be made, but PFF has projected what the Colts’ starting offense will look like in 2025.

We have a long ways to go before roster decisions have to be made and starting lineups have to be constructed, but Pro Football Focus has taken an early swing at projecting who will be starting and playing key roles on offense for the Indianapolis Colts.

The quarterback competition will draw a lot of eyes during training camp and the preseason, but there is also playing time up for grabs along the offensive line and at the backup running back spot.

Here is how Pro Football Focus sees things shaking out for the Colts.

Quarterback: Anthony Richardson

As Shane Steichen has described, Richardson and Daniel Jones will be splitting starting reps throughout the summer, and ultimately, it will be the most consistent of the two who wins the job.

For both the 2025 season and beyond, it’s clearly in the Colts’ best interest that Richardson takes control of the competition. As the younger, higher upside player, the ceiling for this Colts’ offense is greater with Richardson under center.

Steichen and Chris Ballard believe that the competition will elevate the play of both Richardson and Jones. While not an apples-to-apples comparison, after returning from being benched last season, we did see improved play from Richardson, which included leading two fourth-quarter comebacks.

A main focus for Richardson this offseason has been on his footwork, which is where accuracy begins at the quarterback position.

Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert

We know that Taylor will shoulder the workload at the running back spot, but the backup role is one where Ballard said the Colts need more production this season. So of note, PFF has Herbert listed as the backup over Day 3 draft pick DJ Giddens.

Herbert, who has been in the NFL since 2021, has experience on his side, while Giddens showcased his big-play abilities at Kansas State, which included averaging 6.5 yards per carry in 2024 and generating the 15th most rushes of 10 or more yards. However, like any first-year player, Giddens will be navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump to the NFL level.

The Colts’ offense would also benefit greatly if one of Herbert or Giddens can carve out a role as a pass-catcher and add that element to Shane Steichen’s playbook, creating another dimension for defenses to contend with. This is an area where Giddens may have the upper hand.

On paper, there will be a backup running back, but I’m guessing right now that we’ll see both Herbert and Giddens this season, although how that playing time breaks down between the two remains to be seen.

Wide receiver: Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce

No real surprises here. We will also see AD Mitchell in the mix, but a big part of the equation when it comes to him earning more opportunities is showcasing more consistency. However, with three well-established players on the depth chart ahead of him, along with the Colts now having Tyler Warren at tight end, they aren’t exactly hurting for snaps, especially with how little four wide receivers are utilized at one time in this offense.

“That next step is like, alright, let me learn my role, let me focus on the things I can control and move from there,” said Reggie Wayne about Mitchell. “He’s backing up Alec right now. I mean, you can’t throw Alec away. Alec just had a great year. Just coming in understanding, and understanding your place, but when your number is called, let’s make sure we hit a home run and not just a base hit.”

Tight end: Tyler Warren

Again, no surprises here. The rookie will immediately step in and be a top option at this position. But we will still continue to see a fair amount of Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree as well. Two tight end sets were the Colts’ second-most utilized personnel grouping last season.

Offensive line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith

I’m assuming that this is the configuration that everyone expects to see. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. has said that Bortolini is competing with Danny Pinter at center, and Goncalves is competing with the other guards on the roster–likely Dalton Tucker and Josh Sills–but the expectation is that Bortolini and Goncalves will win those jobs.

The Indiana Pacers are hosting the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals on Saturday, and many stars are in attendance, including WNBA player Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.

The Fever guard was in the crowd to witness what she has described as the “greatest comeback team” she has seen. Her admiration for the Pacers’ relentless spirit was evident as they rallied four times to come back and win in this year’s playoffs.

Clark has expressed how it feels to be in Indianapolis as a WNBA player and during the Pacers’ NBA playoff run, saying it is fun to be a part of it.

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“It’s great being in Indianapolis right now,” Clark told ESPN. “People are loving basketball. It’s always been a basketball state. It’s just fun to be a part of.”

Clark was seated alongside teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull.

More: New York Liberty value soars. Time for WNBA owners to invest or get out of the way

When do Caitlin Clark and the Fever play next?

The Fever will host the Washington Mystics on Tuesday, June 3, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBA TV, WNBA League Pass, MeTV (Indianapolis), Monumental Sports Network (Washington)

Indiana lost to the Connecticut Sun on Friday in Indianapolis. Clark did not play due to a left quad strain.

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