When the 2019 season was all said and done, the Indianapolis Colts had a defense that showed flashes of being an above-average unit. But where did they rank in accordance with the rest of the league?
Pro Football Focus took a look at ranking the defensive coverage units across the NFL. The Colts, who run primarily zone concepts, were ranked No. 13 in PFF’s rankings.
13. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
After finishing the 2018 season 16th on this list, the Indianapolis Colts move up to 13th place after their performance in 2019. This past season, the Colts ran Cover-1 more than any other coverage scheme (168 times) but elected to use a variety of zone concepts on 409 of their 665 total coverage snaps. Armed with safety Malik Hooker and third-year cornerback Kenny Moore II, who finished 25th on PFF’s list of top cornerbacks for 2019, the Colts’ defense came away with 15 interceptions, and they led the league in total coverage stops with 114. However, while they may have kept the ball in front of them in zone coverages, they would finish the season with the league’s lowest forced incompletion rate (5.6%) while allowing the second-highest completion percentage (75.4%). In all, the defense allowed 393 receptions, the fourth-most in the NFL. It was a clear case of talent and scheme yielding mixed results.
It has been a theme for the Colts defense to give up a high completion percentage since Matt Eberflus took over as defensive coordinator in 2018. But they have been able to shore up in the red zone, which has allowed their success to take place.
There is an infusion of young talent in the Colts secondary. Rock Ya-Sin just finished his rookie season with valuable experience under his belt while fellow rookie safety Khari Willis also emerged as a starter.
Third-year cornerback Kenny Moore and safety Malik Hooker have also flashed throughout their career—Moore has done so often.
Adding to the cornerback room is likely on the to-do list for the Colts this offseason in hopes they can get into being a top-10 coverage unit.