The Indianapolis Colts spent much of their time this offseason trying to improve the depth and talent on both sides of the ball, but the especially achieved that goal when it comes to the defense.
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With new additions like defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, just how much better will the defense be? Of course we won’t know for sure at this point in the offseason, but linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. believes the Colts should be in the conversation among elite units.
“Yeah, I think we added pieces that took us from what we feel had a chance to be a good/great defense to an elite defense,” Walker said this offseason. “So, you add Xavier Rhodes, you add DeForest Buckner, Sheldon Day. You already had some guys at pretty elite positions – Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, Justin Houston, Kenny Moore II, you already had those guys (and) Malik Hooker.”
The addition of Buckner is what will garner the most attention and rightfully so. If he can have the type of impact expected of him, the entire defense will benefit. Whether he’s applying pressure himself, opening up the lanes for linebackers and edge rushers, or making life easier on the secondary. Buckner’s presence will provide the Colts with a great deal of production.
The other additions have to prove themselves a little more. Rhodes is coming off of a down year in 2019 and has been on a decline statistically since his All-Pro campaign in 2017. He fits well within the scheme but how much of a bounce-back season can he have?
It all looks great on paper, but Walker admits they have to go out there and prove it before any assumptions can be made.
“On paper it looks great, like a beautiful drawing right now,” Walker said. “We’ll piece it all together like a puzzle and hopefully we’ll get to clicking as soon as we get into the facility working out together and everything like that and Week 1 we can go ahead and put it on display.”
The Colts defense will almost exclusively feature veterans at starting positions. It doesn’t appear there will be a whole lot of room for rookies to grab a starting role, but that’s what the Colts envisioned when they rebuilt the roster in 2017.
With an aging veteran at quarterback and a stout run game, the Colts can maximize their efforts with a strong defense. There is a lot of upside with the unit, but they must go out and prove it before getting handed the elite title.
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