Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts

In the NFL, a team’s linebacker corps serves as the “engine” of its defense—bridging the gap between the defensive line and secondary, stopping runs, dropping into coverage, and pressuring quarterbacks. For the Indianapolis Colts, however, this unit has become a glaring weakness: according to Pro Football Focus (PFF)’s 2024 defensive position rankings, the Colts’ linebacker corps finished 31st out of 32 teams, a statistic that underscores just how much work is needed to fix this group. This low ranking isn’t a one-game fluke; it’s the result of consistent struggles throughout the season—from missed tackles to poor coverage to a lack of pass-rushing production. Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts isn’t just a harsh assessment; it’s a call to action for a team that aspirations of competing in the AFC South. By examining why the linebacker corps performed so poorly and what steps the Colts can take to improve, we can understand how this unit went from a manageable flaw to a critical barrier to the team’s success.

Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts is first and foremost a reflection of the unit’s abysmal tackling efficiency, which ranked dead last in the NFL in 2024. Collectively, Colts linebackers missed 87 tackles over 17 games—an average of more than 5 missed tackles per contest—with starting middle linebacker Zaire Franklin accounting for 23 of those misses (the third-most among all NFL linebackers). These missed tackles didn’t just cost the Colts yards; they often turned routine gains into big plays. For example, in a Week 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a missed tackle by backup linebacker E.J. Speed allowed running back Najee Harris to turn a 5-yard run into a 35-yard touchdown, swinging the momentum of the game. Beyond individual mistakes, the unit also struggled with tackling technique: too often, Colts linebackers would dive at ball carriers’ legs instead of wrapping up, leading to easy escapes. This issue was compounded by poor gap discipline—linebackers frequently overcommitted to one side of the field, leaving open lanes for opposing running backs to exploit. Without fixing their tackling and discipline, the Colts’ linebacker corps will continue to be a liability, no matter how talented the rest of the defense is.

Another major factor behind Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts is the unit’s inability to contribute to the pass rush, a weakness that forced the Colts to rely heavily on blitzes from defensive backs and defensive linemen. Colts linebackers combined for just 6.5 sacks in 2024—the second-fewest in the NFL—and only 18 quarterback pressures, a stark contrast to top-ranked units like the San Francisco 49ers (who had 22 sacks from linebackers alone). Part of the problem is personnel: Franklin, while a solid run-stopper, lacks the speed and athleticism to beat offensive linemen off the edge, and his backup, Speed, has yet to develop a consistent pass-rushing move. The Colts also lacked a true “edge-backer” in their hybrid defensive scheme—someone who can line up outside and pressure the quarterback while still holding their own in run defense. This gap was exploited by opposing offenses, which could focus on blocking the Colts’ defensive line without worrying about linebackers sneaking through for sacks. In passing situations, Colts linebackers also struggled to drop into coverage: they allowed a 72% completion rate when targeted, with opposing tight ends and running backs finding easy openings in the middle of the field.

Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts is also a product of injuries and depth issues that plagued the unit all season long. The Indianapolis Colts entered 2024 with high hopes for Shaquille Leonard, a four-time Pro Bowl linebacker who had missed most of 2023 with a back injury. However, Leonard’s return was short-lived: he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 and missed eight more games, leaving the Colts without their most experienced and versatile linebacker. To fill the void, the Colts were forced to rely on unproven rookies like Grant Stuard and practice-squad call-ups, who struggled to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL. Even when Leonard returned in Week 12, he wasn’t at full strength—his lateral quickness was noticeably diminished, and he failed to record a single sack or interception in his final five games. The lack of depth was particularly evident in late-game situations: as the season wore on, Colts linebackers looked fatigued, leading to more missed tackles and blown coverages. For the Indianapolis Colts, addressing depth at linebacker isn’t just about adding backups—it’s about having reliable players who can step in and perform at a high level when starters get hurt.

Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts further highlights the unit’s struggles against elite opposing offenses, which exposed its weaknesses in ways that lesser teams didn’t. When facing top-tier rushing attacks—like the Baltimore Ravens (who ranked 1st in rushing yards) or the San Francisco 49ers (3rd in rushing)—the Colts’ linebackers were overwhelmed. In a Week 5 loss to the Ravens, Colts linebackers allowed 182 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with Ravens running back Lamar Jackson exploiting their slow pursuit to pick up 78 yards on the ground. Against pass-heavy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, the unit fared no better: they allowed Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce to catch 11 passes for 143 yards in a Week 8 matchup, as linebackers failed to stay with him in coverage. These performances weren’t just bad luck; they were a sign that the Indianapolis Colts’ linebackers lack the athleticism and football IQ to compete with the league’s best players. While the Colts’ defense as a whole ranked 18th in points allowed, their linebacker corps dragged down every other unit—defensive linemen had to overcommit to stop runs, and defensive backs had to cover more ground to make up for missed assignments.

The final takeaway from Linebacker Corps Needs Improvement: 31st Rank for Indianapolis Colts is that fixing this unit must be a top priority for the team’s 2025 offseason. The good news is that the Colts have clear paths to improvement. First, they need to invest in talent: whether through the draft (targeting a dynamic edge-backer like USC’s Solomon Byrd or a tackling machine like Alabama’s Deontae Lawson) or free agency (signing a proven veteran like former Dallas Cowboy Leighton Vander Esch), adding playmakers to the linebacker corps is essential. Second, the Colts need to revamp their coaching approach for linebackers: hiring a dedicated position coach with a track record of developing young talent could help fix technical issues like tackling and gap discipline. Third, they need to build better depth: signing reliable backups and developing rookies during training camp will prevent injuries from derailing the unit again. For the Indianapolis Colts, this 31st ranking isn’t a death sentence—it’s a wake-up call. If they can turn their linebacker corps from a weakness into a strength, they’ll instantly become a more dangerous team in the AFC South, and a legitimate threat to make a deep playoff run.