Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts

In the 2024 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive line emerged as a unit of contrasts—showcasing moments of dominance that hinted at its potential, yet facing consistent challenges that kept it from cracking the league’s top tier. When the final league rankings were released, Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts summed up a campaign where the group performed solidly but fell short of the high standards set by the team’s defensive legacy. This ranking, based on metrics like total sacks, run-stopping efficiency, and pressure rate, places the Colts’ defensive line in the middle of the NFL pack—above rebuilding teams but behind playoff-caliber units that consistently disrupt opposing offenses. For the Colts, this ranking is both a reality check and a starting point: it highlights areas where the line excels, such as generating interior pressure, while also pointing to gaps that need addressing, like consistency in stopping the run. As the franchise looks to refine its defense in the offseason, understanding the factors behind this 17th-place finish will be critical to unlocking the unit’s full potential.

Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts is first defined by the unit’s performance in pass rushing—a strength that kept it competitive even when other areas struggled. Led by defensive end Kwity Paye, the Colts’ defensive line finished the season with 38 total sacks, tying for 16th in the NFL. Paye was the standout, recording 11.5 sacks—his first double-digit sack season—and 18 tackles for loss, establishing himself as a legitimate edge-rushing threat. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner also contributed consistently, adding 7 sacks and 12 quarterback hits, using his 6’7”, 300-lb frame to bull-rush offensive centers and disrupt passing lanes. The line’s pressure rate (the percentage of snaps where they forced the quarterback to hurry, scramble, or take a sack) was 23.8%, which ranked 15th in the league—evidence that they could consistently bother opposing passers. However, the pass-rushing production was uneven: the line had four games with 4 or more sacks but also six games with 1 or fewer, including a Week 12 loss to the Titans where they failed to record a single sack. This inconsistency prevented the unit from climbing higher in the rankings, as top-tier defensive lines like the San Francisco 49ers (58 sacks) and Dallas Cowboys (54 sacks) maintained steady production week in and week out.

A key factor in the Colts’ 17th-place ranking, as outlined in Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts, is the unit’s struggles against the run—a weakness that often put the entire defense in difficult positions. The Colts’ defensive line allowed an average of 4.8 yards per carry, which ranked 24th in the NFL, and gave up 120.4 rushing yards per game, placing them 23rd. While interior linemen like Buckner and Grover Stewart did their part to clog gaps (Stewart finished with 5 run stops in the red zone), the line lacked depth at defensive tackle, forcing starters to play more snaps than ideal. When Stewart missed three games with a knee injury in the middle of the season, the run defense collapsed: the Colts allowed 165+ rushing yards in two of those three contests, including a 182-yard performance by the Jaguars’ Travis Etienne. The edge defenders also struggled to set the edge against the run, with backup defensive ends often getting pushed back by offensive tackles, creating wide lanes for running backs. This run-stopping inconsistency was a major reason the Colts’ defense ranked 20th in points allowed per game, as opposing teams could rely on the run to control the clock and keep the Colts’ offense off the field.

Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts also reflects the impact of the unit’s depth—or lack thereof—especially in the second half of the season. The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2024 season with high hopes for their defensive line depth, having retained key backups like Tyquan Lewis and signed undrafted free agent Malik Herring. However, injuries derailed those plans: Lewis missed six games with a shoulder injury, Herring was placed on injured reserve in Week 10 with a hamstring issue, and rookie defensive tackle Jalen Williams struggled to adjust to the NFL speed when forced into a larger role. As a result, the Colts’ top four defensive linemen (Paye, Buckner, Stewart, and Lewis) were forced to play 70% or more of the snaps in 10 games, leading to fatigue in the fourth quarter. In those games, the line allowed 40% more rushing yards in the fourth quarter than in the first, and their sack rate dropped by half. The Indianapolis Colts’ front office had prioritized offensive line depth in the offseason, leaving the defensive line with few reliable backups—a decision that came back to haunt the team as injuries mounted. This lack of depth not only hurt the line’s consistency but also prevented the coaching staff from rotating players to keep them fresh, a strategy used by top-ranked defensive lines to maintain pressure throughout the game.

Another factor influencing the Colts’ 17th-place ranking in Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts is the unit’s performance in high-leverage situations, such as third downs and red zones. The Indianapolis Colts’ defensive line ranked 19th in third-down pressure rate (25.6%), meaning they struggled to force punts when opposing teams needed just a few yards to extend drives. On third-and-short (3 yards or fewer), the line allowed a conversion rate of 68%, which ranked 22nd in the league—far worse than top units like the Baltimore Ravens (45% conversion rate allowed). In the red zone, the line fared slightly better, ranking 16th in sack rate (8.3%) and 18th in run-stopping efficiency (4.2 yards per carry allowed), but still not well enough to consistently prevent touchdowns. A prime example came in Week 17 against the Texans: with the game tied in the fourth quarter, the Colts’ defensive line allowed Texans running back Dameon Pierce to rush for a 10-yard touchdown on third-and-2, giving Houston the lead for good. These struggles in high-leverage situations underscored the line’s inability to step up when the defense needed it most, a trait that separates middle-of-the-pack units from elite ones. The Indianapolis Colts’ coaching staff acknowledged this issue, with defensive line coach Brian Baker noting, “We need to be more consistent in closing out drives—whether that’s getting a sack on third down or stopping the run in the red zone. That’s where the top lines make their money.”

Looking ahead, Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts provides a clear roadmap for the franchise’s offseason priorities. The Indianapolis Colts need to address three key areas to improve their defensive line: adding depth at defensive tackle, upgrading edge-rushing backups, and refining run-stopping techniques. Re-signing pending free agent Tyquan Lewis will be critical to retaining depth at defensive end, while drafting a developmental defensive tackle in the middle rounds could help shore up the interior. The Colts should also consider signing a veteran run-stopping defensive tackle in free agency—someone like the Titans’ Teair Tart, who has a proven track record of clogging gaps—to complement Buckner and Stewart. Additionally, the coaching staff should focus on improving edge-setting drills in training camp, as better edge defense would limit the wide lanes that opposing running backs exploited in 2024. While a 17th-place ranking is not ideal, the Colts have a strong core in Paye and Buckner, and with the right additions, the defensive line could climb into the league’s top 10 in 2025. Defensive Line Ranks 17th in NFL for Indianapolis Colts is not a final verdict on the unit’s potential—it’s a challenge to build a more consistent, resilient group that can anchor the Colts’ defense for years to come.