5 Roster questions on defense Indianapolis Colts must answer before 2025 NFL season

What questions remain on the defensive side of the football for the Indianapolis Colts with offseason programs now behind us?

Following the conclusion of minicamp, the team will now break until July 22nd, when training camp begins.

While we can glean a little from what takes place during OTAs and minicamp, the pads aren't on, and the emphasis at this time of the year is often on installs, fundamentals, technique, and communication.

So any questions that existed prior to offseason programs likely still exist as we begin to turn our focus to training camp. Let's dive into what those unknowns are on defense for the Colts.

If you missed our big questions on offense for the Colts, you can find them here.

Can the Colts get improved play from the defensive tackle depth?

The play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve this season. At a heavily rotated position like defensive tackle, where four or even five players see regular snaps, having sound depth is a must.

Last season, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis, who filled those depth roles, each ranked near the bottom of the NFL in PFF's pass rush win rate and run top rate metrics.

This offseason, GM Chris Ballard has reshaped that depth chart a bit, letting those two walk, along with signing Neville Gallimore, drafting Tim Smith, and bringing back Eric Johnson on waivers.

That trio, plus Adetomiwa Adebawore, will be competing for the third and fourth rotational roles on the depth chart.

Do the Colts have enough linebacker depth despite the lack of experience?

Outside of Zaire Franklin, this is a very inexperienced Colts' linebacker room. Jaylon Carlies, with his 242 career defensive snaps, is the second-most experienced player on the depth chart in that regard.

Presumably, it will be Carlies starting next to Franklin this season. Beyond those two, while there is a lack of defensive experience, the Colts have several core special teams contributors, including Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, and Joe Bachie.

Lou Anarumo is very good about molding his defense to the skill sets he has on the roster, which can help these more inexperienced players navigate the learning curve that comes with potentially larger roles. And as Ballard pointed out, the Colts have a strong track record of developing the linebacker position over the years.

However, while all true, you never quite know what to expect until you see these players perform on the football field.

Who starts opposite of Charvarius Ward at cornerback?

We know that Ward will be starting at one outside spot and Kenny Moore will be starting in the nickel, but who that third starting cornerback is remains to be seen.

Several coaches, along with Ward, have raved about rookie Justin Walley's performance up to this point. Jaylon Jones was a starter last season, but has been sidelined with a soft tissue injury, as Shane Steichen called it. And then there is also JuJu Brents, whose first two seasons have been derailed by injuries.

I would guess that it will primarily be those three competing for that playing time, but also on the roster are Samuel Womack and Corey Ballentine. Ultimately, what Anarumo is looking for here is consistency.

"Just consistency of work, and that's going to have to show throughout training camp, throughout the preseason games, to determine who's going to get that job," Anarumo said.

With how disguise-heavy this defensive scheme is, versatility and the ability to handle a variety of roles can be a differentiator for these players. Also, while there will be a starter on paper, I wouldn't be surprised if multiple players fill that role based on the opponent and what the matchup dictates.

Quick questions

What about the defensive end rotation? We know that Laiatu Latu and Kwity Paye will see ample playing time, but how does the depth chart shake out behind them? JT Tuimoloau was a three-down presence at Ohio State, but how big his role is as an incoming rookie remains to be seen. Samson Ebukam is coming off an Achilles injury, which leads to unknowns, and the Colts have Tyquan Lewis as well. Like defensive tackle, this is a position where four or five players see regular playing time.

Like linebacker, what about the safety depth? We know that Cam Bynum and Nick Cross will be starting, but there is a fair amount of inexperience behind them on the depth chart. Rodney Thomas took a very reduced role last season, while no other player on the roster has any NFL regular-season snaps on defense.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL season: 5 Questions Colts must answer on defense