The Indianapolis Colts may be short a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but that doesn't mean they can't give their defensive line a much-needed facelift.
The last time the Colts made major investments in their defensive line over multiple years was in 2020 and 2021. They traded for DeForest Buckner during the 2020 NFL Draft and then selected Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo with their first- and second-round picks the following year.
Since then, it's been a fourth-round pick used on Adetomiwa Adebawore in 2023, a first-round pick on Laiatu Latu in 2024, and a second-round pick on JT Tuimoloau in 2025. Those three players combined for just 12.5 sacks last season.
But the lack of sack production is only part of the concern. The early returns in 2026 point to a defensive line that could have much bigger problems to solve.
Why the Colts' defensive line could force their hand in the 2027 NFL Draft
Indianapolis is hoping Latu can turn into a high-level player in Year 3, but that's still an unknown at this point. Adebawore took a leap last year, more than doubling his snap count from his first two years combined. But that was still just 548 snaps played. Meanwhile, Tuimoloau played just 101 snaps as a rookie in 2025.
Buckner has been the best player and a team captain on the defensive line since he arrived, but his only All-Pro year was in 2020. His last fully healthy season came in 2023, when he played 17 games and recorded eight sacks. He and Grover Stewart are the veterans of the group, and both are 32 years old.
And while it's only a two-game sample size, some of the numbers are concerning enough to raise questions about whether this is simply a slow start or the beginning of a much bigger problem.
The numbers reveal a major problem for the Colts' defensive line
So far, this group is off to a bad start in 2026. The Colts have been a sieve against the run and haven't been able to consistently get after the quarterback. Here's where they rank in some key statistics so far, with last year's finish in parentheses:
2026 Run Defense Statistics
- 32nd in EPA/rush allowed (15th in 2025)
- 32nd in yards before contact allowed per carry (15th)
- 31st in rush yards per play allowed (2nd)
- 29th in stuff rate (7th)
The dip in run-game production is especially scary for Indianapolis. It is just a two-game sample size, but last year the run defense was one of the only strengths of the unit. If that has dramatically shifted this season, it could become a major problem, especially in a world where offenses want to go big and run the ball more.
2026 Pass Rush Statistics
- 30th in time to pressure (25th)
- 28th in QB pressure rate (16th)
- 26th in time to throw (28th)
- 23rd in sack rate (25th)
The Colts have been looking for a top pass rusher for years. They currently have the longest streak in the NFL without a single player recording double-digit sacks in a season. You have to go back to 2019 and Justin Houston to find a Colt with 10 or more sacks.
The production is concerning enough on its own. But what makes the Colts' situation even more interesting is how quickly this defensive line could change after the season.
Why the 2027 NFL Draft could force Indianapolis to rebuild up front
Several of the defensive linemen mentioned above are set to be free agents in 2027, primarily at defensive tackle. Stewart and Adebawore are unrestricted free agents, and Buckner's contract voids the day after the Super Bowl.
Veteran defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, who is playing on a one-year contract, is also set to be a free agent
This leaves Latu, Tuimoloau, and Arden Key as the primary pieces remaining on the edge.
Indianapolis has cap room if it would like to bring one or two of these players back, and there are several young free agents coming off their rookie deals next spring. But if the Colts want meaningful change, they need to look to the draft.
Impact defensive linemen can always be found in rounds two, three, and four of the NFL Draft. Just last season, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Nic Scourton, and Deone Walker were taken after the first round and made an impact in their rookie seasons.
As of now, it looks like there will be plenty of Day 2 talent on the defensive line in the 2027 NFL Draft. And there are always gems to be found on Day 3.
With the investments the Colts have made in their offense and secondary in 2026, the defensive line should be one of their biggest priorities in 2027. Even without a first-round pick, Indianapolis has an opportunity to throw multiple resources at the position and start rebuilding a group that could look very different a year from now.
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