Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts D-LINE PREVIEW: Laiatu Latu, Neville Gallimore Key to RESURGENCE

Episode Date: June 18, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts set an Indy era record for sacks two years ago and then finished near the bottom of the NFL a year later. A leap from Laiatu Latu, continued dominance from DeForest Buckner, and... some second-wave pass-rush juice from Neville Gallimore will help get them back on track. Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts defensive line needs to take a massive step forward in 2025. Let's get to it. You are locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd
Starting point is 00:00:36 of HorseshoeHuddle.com. Jake is not here today, but don't worry. I have a fun show planned for you guys. We're going to be talking all about this Colts defensive line heading into 2025. We're continuing our series on positional previews. Yesterday we did the quarterback position. So definitely check that out if you're interested in all of our thoughts on this Colts quarterback room heading into 2025. Today we are grouping the entire defensive line together.
Starting point is 00:01:01 So defensive ends, defensive tackles, top of the roster, bottom of the roster. We're going to talk about all of those guys here today. So we're going to go starters. We're going to go key rotation players and then fringe roster guys and kind of break down every single aspect of this defensive line room. So let's kick it off with the starters here on today's show. We have layout to lot two off the edge. He is pretty, pretty much going to be a solidified starter this year. There might be some question on if JT Tuamoloao or Samson Ebukam really can eat into those snaps. But for the most part, Leatu Latu in my opinion is going to go from being a guy last year who was mostly a designated pass rusher to being a full-time
Starting point is 00:01:41 starter in 2025. Quidipay is likely to be the defensive end starting alongside him. Again, there's some up in the air if a Tumaloao guy or Ebucom can surpass him in camp, but that seems very, very unlikely. And then the two defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, these guys have been among the best in the sport for years and they're going to continue being that this next season So when we're looking at this starting defensive line room and just what the Colts are gonna look like on base downs with these guys It's a pretty solid group on paper But it's something that needs a bit more like these guys need to produce a bit more this next season
Starting point is 00:02:20 I think last year it was perfectly fine up front But they need more than just fine. Quidipay led the way with, I believe, according to Pro Football Focus, he had 10 sacks last year, but a lot of those are half sacks that PFF counts as full sacks, and a lot of them were kind of clean up sacks as well. Leatu Latu had a better pass rush win rate than Quidipay, but didn't really finish on the sacks. He had four and a half last year. I believe it was like five is what PFF gave him there. DeForest Buckner missed some time with injury last season, but you know overall was DeForest Buckner. And then Grover Stewart, you know, you're not going to get that pass rushing upside with him, but you're going to get one of the best run defending nose tackles in the league. So yeah,
Starting point is 00:02:59 like again, Paye and Lahtou had very, very different seasons last year. Paye, a good run defender, cleaned up a lot of sacks, finished the job a lot, but just didn't really get constant pressure. Lattu did get a little bit better on the pressure side of things, but just didn't finish sacks. Buckner was still Buckner. Stewart was still Stewart. So, yeah, I think there is a step forward to take with these guys this next season. And just in terms of Leatu-Lautu getting more snaps, finishing more sacks, maybe even getting that pressure rate up
Starting point is 00:03:28 a little bit higher as well. You can't complain too much about that. And then for Pei, you know, just getting that pass rush win rate up a little bit more. These two defensive ends are very athletic, very talented players. And when we're looking at their contract situation, Pei is getting that fifth year option this year.
Starting point is 00:03:43 Leatu-Lautu is getting paid like a top 15 pick like these guys got to produce this next season to really on them to see how far this Colts defensive line room goes, because like I said, Buckner and Stewart, we kind of know what we're going to get out of those guys. You're going to get really good defensive tackle play from the both of them whenever they're on the field. And that's great for the Colts, but really the X factor on this defensive line is what do the Colts get out Leotu Latu? What do they get out of Quidipay because that will make or break this season up front on defense for the Colts
Starting point is 00:04:14 If you know if they get much of what they got last year This Colts defense will have some struggles because they're not able to generate consistent pressure and finish plays But maybe if they can go back to what they were doing in 2023 or take, you know, just take a different unique step in 2025. I think we could see really good defense from the Colts because they have the talent in the secondary. It's just will this defensive line talent really step up and really prove itself to be better than what it was last season
Starting point is 00:04:43 where the pressure was just way too inconsistent for a defensive line room that's getting paid what this defensive line room is getting paid and that number only jumps up this next season so yeah those are the four guys who are likely going to start I think we'll see a lot of them on on rundowns obviously especially with pay I think lots who will be the guy who subs out a little bit more on rundowns but for the most part he was pretty fine and run defense last year. I don't really see a reason to have him be like a designated pass rusher like he was as a rookie. So I expect him to get a good chunk of snaps on on rundowns. And I think he's going to have a bigger role under Lou Anna Rummo than what
Starting point is 00:05:19 he did have under Gus Bradley. I think one little wrinkle that we got to throw in here that when we're talking starters is obviously when the Colts are going to be facing like third and sevens from opposing offenses or just like third down and passing situations, Grover Stewart's unlikely to be on the field. So I actually went back and watched a lot of Lou Anarumo's defenses the last couple of years and say like, okay, what do they do on third downs? Do they bring in a defensive end to play on the interior like Gus Bradley did? Do they have designated pass rushers at defensive tackle? Or what do they really do on those third downs?
Starting point is 00:05:55 Like where Bradley had the NASCAR package? Do they do a similar thing under Louie Anarumo? And watching the film really didn't give me any answers just in terms of like what he does on each third. Every third down is different with Anarumo. There were some sets where there was three defensive linemen and three linebackers. There were some sets where it was four defensive ends across the line. There were some sets where they kept the Grover Stewart, which was DJ Reader over there in Cincinnati.
Starting point is 00:06:20 They kept him on the field instead. So it's really hard to gauge what the Colts are going to do about that fifth starter on the defensive line, which is that designated pass rusher who comes in in those like NASCAR packages. Is there even going to be a NASCAR package? This season is the big question with Luan Arumos. So it's kind of hard to factor in
Starting point is 00:06:41 who's going to be that fifth starter. You could say it could be JT Tua Maloao, who's maybe the direct replacement for a Dayo Adengbo as that interior rusher. They could go back to a Taekwondo Lewis who did it early in his career with the Colts. Or maybe it's someone like Adetomiwa Adabore who comes in and is just that interior pass rusher at defensive tackle. Or maybe Grover Stewart takes a big step as a pass rusher.
Starting point is 00:07:03 And we have Grover Stewart out there on third downs. I think anything is on the table there as that fifth starter on the defensive line. But you know, just looking at these four guys, they obviously have the talent. Health is going to be a big thing. Quidipay has not played a full season in his career. DeForest Buckner has missed some time in recent years. Grover Stewart obviously had that suspension a couple of years so there are some question marks in terms of health and consistency. So it's not gonna be all on these guys because the backups are gonna play a good bit but you want to see obviously Stewart and Buckner keep their level of play they've kept the last couple years and then just Paye and
Starting point is 00:07:38 Latu take that next step. I think it's more realistic with Latu at this point. Paye has kind of been who he's been in the NFL, which is a fine player. But Leatu Latu is really the guy that we're looking at here in 2025 to make or break this defensive line. Because if he can take that next step forward and really grow into that top 15 pick that the Colts spent on him, then I think this defensive line is looking really good. But if he plays a lot more like he played as a rookie last year, which was fine, but nothing to write home about, then I think we're looking into some question marks up front if the Coles can get that consistent pressure and maybe
Starting point is 00:08:13 questioning whether or not they did enough to address the defensive end depth this off season like losing a Diode Dango and not really replacing him with anyone besides a draft pick. So yeah, I think it's a fine defensive line group, some good upside with Lahtu and Pei. We're kind of banking a lot on Buckner and Stewart staying healthy, but that's kind of the nature of just defensive line play across the league in general. I think it's a pretty solid group. The Colts are paying a lot of money to this group.
Starting point is 00:08:39 Buckner and Stewart are getting like what, like $36 million a year combined. You're looking at Lahtu getting a top 15 pick salary and pays getting that fifth year option. They're paying a lot of money on this defensive line, so it needs to produce this year. It needs to be unique and diverse and really produces past Russian group. I think they have all the talent to do it. It's just can they put it together will be the big thing for this Colts team. But enough of the starters, the starters are fun, but they're also kind of boring because we always hear about them So let's go to the backups talk about some of these unique different names coming into the Colts
Starting point is 00:09:12 And really discuss what their role could be this upcoming season But first do you ever check your bank account wonder where the heck did all my money go? Between dining out, online shopping, and entertainment, it's easy to lose track. That's where Monarch Money comes in, your personal CFO giving full visibility and control over your finances. Monarch Money isn't just a budgeting app, it's a complete financial command center. You can track all your accounts, investments, and spending in one place. So you just stop managing your money and start building your wealth. Instead of juggling multiple apps,
Starting point is 00:09:46 you can use Monarch to check on your finances, track spending, and even plan long-term goals. Managing money with your partner is smoother than ever. You can share your track in personal accounts. You can set goals and stay on the same page without all that stress. So take control of finances with Monarch money. Use code locked on NFL.
Starting point is 00:10:04 Add Monarch money for 50% off your first year That's MonarchMoney.com code locked on NFL for half off your for your first year Alrighty locked on Colts everyday as we are back talking about this Colts defensive line room talking about the starters and now we're going on to the key backups and I think this is a bit tougher to talk about than the starters because unlike the starters like we know who the four names are going to be starting for the Colts maybe one guy gets pushed back a little bit here but when it comes to who the main backups are I think there's a lot up in the air for this Colts team I think we can confidently say that a player like JT to a Malo out their second round pick in this pass draft is Going to have a massive role on this team
Starting point is 00:10:48 Outside of that though. I again, I think there's a lot of names up in the air I mean Samson Ebucom is coming back from his Achilles injury The Colts are excited about him But a near 30 year old pass rusher coming back from a major injury like this that usually takes Two calendar years to get back to your form I think there's some concerns there. Tyquan Lewis took a big step back this past season and he's been fine as a run defender, but the past rushing really wasn't there this past season.
Starting point is 00:11:14 And then you look at a defensive tackle they're bringing in and Neville Gallimore who had a solid season for the Rams last year, but again, not really something to write home about more of a three tech than a one tech on the backup one tech is really what they've been looking for these last couple years. So these guys are probably the inside track guys to be your primary backups for the Colts this next season. But I think there's a lot up in the air with these guys. I don't know if you know these four guys are your primary backups come week eight this upcoming season Like we don't know what have you comes gonna look like throughout the course of a long season taekwondo Lewis We don't know if his body can hold up or even if it does the pass rushing juice might not be good enough And then Gallimore again It's so hit or miss if he could be anywhere as far as like the third defensive tackle that gets
Starting point is 00:12:02 30 40 percent snaps or he could miss the roster entirely depending on what happens at camp. So the only guy we can really talk about with any confidence here is the young guy which is JT Tumaloau where the Colts very very much like this guy in the draft that covered him for a good chunk of the draft period. Really really great run defender I think he's going to have an early role rotating in there on a couple of rundowns maybe playing some some three tech on some rotations and on like third and longs or second and longs, getting some inside rushes as well. And I think with his traits, you know, the long arms, the power, I think he transitions well as a pass rusher in the NFL. So I think he's going to have a big role.
Starting point is 00:12:41 He's going to have a big role. Louie Anarumo and his defensive staff obviously had a hand in drafting him. So that's going to be a big part of this puzzle here where a lot of these other guys are already kind of established from a previous regime where with Tuumulua, this was a guy that Louie Anarumo had a hand in picking. So I do think that gives him a pretty good chance to make an impact in year one. We'll see how big of an impact, like maybe it's more just on the rundowns side of things rather than the passing downs. But I do think he's going to have a pretty sizable role. Then yeah, we're looking at these other guys like, have you come man? It's such a wild card. Like you're
Starting point is 00:13:13 really talking about a $1 scratch off ticket here. I know I use that term quite a bit on this podcast, but like you're really banking on something that we don't really get from pass rushers Which is that production from an older pass rusher pretty quickly off of an Achilles injury Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen have given their support to EBCOM and stuck by him and you know They had a really good chance to get off of that contract and free up some cap spaces all season But they didn't they're deciding to roll with with an older player again coming off this injury so they have full belief in him. It's hard for me to share that belief when we have a lot of data saying how bad Achilles' injuries are for defensive ends and just defensive linemen in general but I guess we'll have to see. I don't want to write off Ebucom. Like if anyone can do it this guy can. He's had the work ethic.
Starting point is 00:14:05 He's a guy who has who's worked his way up from a day three pick and draft years ago to being you know a 10 plus sack guy when he's healthy. It's just at this age and with the health coming off of that Achilles injury I'm not sure he can get back to that level but I would be very happy for him to prove me wrong. It's just I'm trying to be realistic here when we're looking at Abukam going forward and it's kind of tough to be optimistic about this Colts defensive end rotation if he's going to get your third most snaps you know on that outside especially on pass rushing downs because I don't know if he's going to have the juice to be an
Starting point is 00:14:39 effective pass rusher when we already have questions about quiddy pay as a pass rusher we even have some questions about layoutu lotsu as a pass rusher, we even have some questions about Laotu Latsu as a pass rusher. Throwing another guy with even bigger questions as the third guy behind them is a bit concerning for me. I think he can get there, it's just very unlikely. So it's tough with Ebucom. It's really tough to really talk about this because all the data is against him and the
Starting point is 00:15:02 Colts are really betting on a big time outlier for him to be productive this season but we can't close the book entirely like maybe that outlier comes in fruition we'll have to see you there. Taekwon Lewis I think is just a high floor kind of low ceiling type of reserve player the Colts have loved this player for a long time great in the locker room does some really good things for the Colts probably just a better run defender than pass rusher at this point in his career. It kind of sucks a lot of those early injuries in his career did zap a little bit of his explosiveness and zap a little bit of his pass rushing ability, but there's still a
Starting point is 00:15:36 quality player there. He might be getting paid a little bit too much for his role, but overall a perfectly fine rotational player that I think Luan Rumo is going to find some utility in. And then Neville Gallimore, we haven't talked about Neville Gallimore much on this podcast since the Colt sign him because it was kind of a low contract they gave him, but fantastic athlete, great size. You would like to see him play with a little bit more power and just balance in his game
Starting point is 00:16:01 and be more of a one tech than a three tech but I do think there is some utility in having a player with his size and athleticism at least for shooting gaps and disrupting plays. I know the Colts want to go a little bit more two gap this year with their interior defensive line so it's kind of a weird fit with a player like Gallimore but I think you know you can work him in there every now and then especially against like zone run teams and he can take away a lot of those zone tracks and those zone angles and free up things for the Colts linebackers at the second level.
Starting point is 00:16:29 So yeah, I mean, this is the main four guys that back up the starters on the Colts defensive line this year. I think it's perfectly fine. I do question a little bit though, just taking these risks on in EBCOM, taking the risk on like even a Tyquan Lewis or like a Gala Moore guys who haven't had the greatest track record in recent years and really your only guy that you're really having a lot of faith in is a young second round pick that you just selected. So the depth is a little bit concerning on the defensive line and that's what the starter is having a couple
Starting point is 00:17:01 questions as well especially in terms of pay as a pass rusher In lot to maybe a little bit as a run defender so we'll have to see if this is as big a factor in the regular season as I'm expecting just looking at it right here. I'm a little concerned honestly looking at those main four guys the backups, but Again, I'm happy to be proven wrong. Hopefully a bucom can get back to that 2023 level maybe tywondo Lewis can find some some little bit of his last legs and provide some pass rushing juice. One thing I will add, you know, because I have a little bit of space here in the second segment to really add it, is that with Louie and Arumos system, opposing offenses are going to hold the ball at least a
Starting point is 00:17:39 little bit longer. Like I'm not saying it's going to be holding the ball for four seconds back there every single pass, but maybe a little bit of a tick longer than what Gus Bradley was having with his defense last year where? quarterbacks were getting the ball out in like 2.4 seconds against the Colts which is Insanely fast and it's hard to create pressure when other teams are throwing the ball that fast So maybe with Luana Ramos say quarterback for holding it to 2.9 3.1 Whatever it's going to be just that little bit tick longer of holding the ball could help just production and overall ability of this Colts defensive line. So coverage and pass rush go hand in hand.
Starting point is 00:18:16 I think the coverage will be better this year, so pass rush should be better. But I do have some concerns with the Colts second string just back up defensive linemen just because they're betting on some outliers in terms of injuries and age and just past production with those players. But we'll see. We'll see if those guys step up or if any player in our final group, our segment three, our bubble players, our practice squad guys, or even guys who again could impress and earn a bigger role in training camp. These are the true wild cards on the Colts roster. We're going to talk about them here in just a second.
Starting point is 00:18:53 All right. Locked on Colts every day as we are back previewing the Colts defensive line heading into the 2025 season. We talked about the starters at the top of the show. We talked about the backup or the key reserves in the last segment. Now let's talk about guys who were anywhere from on the bubble to practice squad guys to maybe even being guys who have this wide variance of like they could be in that back of that key reserve segment that I just talked about. They could go as high as that or they could be off the roster entirely depending on what
Starting point is 00:19:24 happens in training camp These are your real wild cards on the Colts roster And let's start with obviously the biggest name on here and that is defensive tackle out of Tommy while at a Boire A player that the Colts took in the fourth round two years ago He hasn't seen much run on defense in his career with the Colts, but gosh. He is such a fantastic athlete I mean he ran a 4-4-9 at the combine at 281 pounds, has been playing on kickoff teams for the Colts and making some plays on kickoff teams,
Starting point is 00:19:52 which is crazy for a player wearing number 95 running down there making tackles on kickoff coverage. And he's had enough flashes as a pass rusher to get you excited. It's just the run defense hasn't really been there. Got a little bit better last year, but the run defense really hasn't been there fully. I do think with the Colts going more two-gapping on the defensive line, it's a really tough fit for him at defensive tackle.
Starting point is 00:20:16 But I think there are some unique ways that Luis Anarumo can get him involved, whether it's those three defensive line sets, you have him rushing off the edge, along with your three linebackers, you're going to have the field. If you go to, like, a much smaller pass rush package, you can get Atatomi on the field. Like, I think there are unique ways to get him more involved as a pass rusher and utilize some of that ability that he has. And like I mentioned at the top of the show where Colts might not really have a NASCAR package type guy, you know, a guy that comes in like Diode Dengbo did last year and rushes when Grover Stewart's off the field, I very
Starting point is 00:20:51 much think Atatomiwa Adebore is a player that's going to be considered that next guy up. I think he's going to be in that running with Atumaloa, with Neville Gallimore, with some of these other players that are on the Colts roster. And honestly, he might be the best pure pass rusher of that next group of players. So if he can just continually improve that run defense, be a little bit more stout against double teams and earn his place with this new coaching staff, I think his ability as a pass rusher can be really good in the NFL. It's just getting those final steps forward and solidifying himself as a
Starting point is 00:21:25 guy. Honestly, I'd probably put him in the next, the segment that we just did, I'd probably put him up there. It's just, you never know with a new coaching staff coming in, who they're going to favor and where they're going to go with that. Another guy who falls into a similar category is Isaiah Land. He wasn't drafted by the Colts, but he was quickly claimed at the end of the offseason two years ago. the Colts have had him marinating at the bottom of the roster the last couple of years. And he's such a unique player because he can play off ball linebacker. He did a little bit in college, but he's mostly been an edge rusher in the NFL, really good hands, a player who has his good run defender as well. I think there's been some
Starting point is 00:22:00 flashes of the past rusher in the last couple of years with the Colts. I think he can be a really solid player. It's just, can he take that next step with this new coaching staff? Can he earn a place and maybe surpass a Tyquan Lewis? This obviously, or maybe surpass a Samson Ebucom. If Ebucom isn't really getting back to what his past form looks like, I do think there's an opportunity for him in this training camp. It's just, he needs to show that he's taking that next step and growing as a player to be more than just a bottom of The roster guy so him and at a tommy Why the boy like they probably have the inside track of these wild card guys to make the roster? But they do need to take that next step and hopefully
Starting point is 00:22:38 You know surpass some of these guys on the roster who are older than them and they really just need to take advantage of this opportunity this offseason so very very big fan of both players, but it really comes down to them to take that next step and hopefully emerge as real rotation players this year rather than just being project guys sitting at the bottom of the roster for yet another season. I think the time is now we're going to year three for both of these guys with the Colts. The NFL stands for not for long. You don't get forever to just develop and sit behind. So going into year three, it's really time for these guys to take that step where the
Starting point is 00:23:11 Colts are going to move on to different projects that they think are younger and have more worthwhile investment in those players. And one of those guys is defensive tackle Tim Smith that the Colts just drafted out of Alabama. A player who's a really good run defender in college, not the greatest athlete overall, but the production was really good. I think his final game against Michigan was one of the best defensive tackle films I've watched in a couple of years. It was awesome. So many run stops in that game, really powerful hands, physical player. And when you look at this Colts defensive
Starting point is 00:23:41 line, aside from Grover Stewart, you really don't have any high level run defenders. I guess Quiddy Pay is a pretty good run defender as well. And we'll have to see if JT Tuamoloaus gets to where it was in college, but you don't really have many high level run defenders, especially on the interior. So a player like Tim Smith really has that opportunity to come in, solidify himself as a really good run defender and give this Colts roster something that they really don't have behind their starters. Again, which is a guy who can actually eat up to gapping or can eat up to gaps and really defend the run at a high level and free up things for linebackers behind them.
Starting point is 00:24:16 So I'm very bullish on Tim Smith. I think he can be a really good player for the Colts. I would prefer him over Gallimore, I think, honestly, just in terms of how they fit with this scheme. But obviously you're going to need like four or five defensive tackles just in the system this year. So Smith certainly factors in there alongside a player like a Gallimore and alongside a
Starting point is 00:24:36 player like an Eric Johnson, who the Colts obviously loved Eric Johnson for years, had to make the tough decision to cut him in roster cut downs last year. Chris Ballard obviously did not love that. And less than a year later, he's already back on the Colts roster. As he got released by the New England Patriots, the Colts quickly grabbed him. And Eric Johnson returns for a second stint with the Colts. You know, Johnson always had some good moments, but for a player that's around 300 pounds, like he just always struggled at the point of attack on the interior with the Colts.
Starting point is 00:25:07 And I'm hoping that he can be a little bit more powerful and stout to really make this roster because like I was just talking about with Tim Smith, that's where Tim Smith really excels. Eric Johnson didn't really excel at that. That's really where he really needed to because the Colts had pass rushers. They just didn't have run defenders behind their defensive tackles. So for Johnson to make this team, he's got to show that he can take that next step as a run defender.
Starting point is 00:25:30 He hasn't really shown it this far in the NFL, but you know, maybe year four, year five, whatever it is for him is, is finally the time for him to turn it around. There are a couple other defensive linemen the Colts have at the roster Darrell and Chami, Desmond Little and Devontae Davis. Davis is really intriguing as a 280-pound defensive tackle that ran, I think, like a 4-7 at his pro day this offseason out of Florida Atlantic. I think there's some athletic upside there.
Starting point is 00:25:56 Probably more of a practice squad guy than a regular roster guy, but the Colts clearly have some interest in him. And then Desmond Little out of UAB, very long, very explosive, powerful player. Didn't have a ton of production in college, but you're really betting on the trades with him. Another player who feels like more of a practice squad type guy, but as I mentioned in the last segment, like the rotation is really up for grabs with a lot of these players. Like it really is a situation where if a player like Desmond Little just had a great offseason and it all clicked for him in the pre-draft process and like oh wow like this kid's finally getting it
Starting point is 00:26:30 I don't think the colds depth is at this super high level to where he can't climb up and earn a roster spot like Isaiah land has been here for a couple years but he's certainly not at a spot where like His position is guaranteed and then even if you want to climb higher again, like Ebucom and Taekwon Lewis, like they, there are names that we recognize, but with Ebucom coming off his injury, Taekwon Lewis kind of taking a step back last year, there is an opportunity in camp for these players to be passed up by younger, more intriguing options. So all these players I mentioned here in this final segment, I really
Starting point is 00:27:04 want to call them wild cards because it truly is a wild card where these guys could end up. They could all be the key backups for the Colts if they have great summers or they could all be off the team. Like the options are endless with these players here. So it really comes down to what kind of offseason these guys had, how quickly they get this new system coming in and how well they fit what Lou Anarumo wants to do. But as I mentioned, I'm bullish on Atatomi Watt and Tim Smith. I think these two players can be really solid players for the Colts. And I hope that they were able to earn roster spots out of camp, but we'll certainly see
Starting point is 00:27:39 how Lou Anarumo sees it by the end of training camp. But that's what we have for the Colts defensive line positional preview. I think it's mostly the same names as last year. You get JT Tumalua coming in for Dayo Adengbo and then a couple other intriguing young players. But really the Colts are banking on the young players taking a next step, so Layoutu Laju taking that next step. And then Luan Ramos system giving them more opportunities to get after the pass or the passer compared to where Gus Bradley system was letting opposing quarterback get the ball out super quick.
Starting point is 00:28:10 So that's really what the Colts are banking on. We'll see if it can come to fruition this year. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy. This Colts pass rush can get back to what they were looking like in 2023 compared to what they look like this past season in 2024. But thank you guys for making locked on culture first. Listen today and every day. Now for your second listen, check out locked on NFL scouting as training camps
Starting point is 00:28:30 get closer and moves are being made. Host Kyle Krabs and Joe Marino will make you the most informed NFL fan this off season. Find locked on NFL scouting on YouTube or every list of your podcast. If you guys want to come a locked on Colts insider and chat with us directly, get that insider scoop, follow the link in our show notes. And if you don't already, make sure you're following at locked on Colts at Jake Arthur NFL and at Zach Hicks too, all on socials. Also subscribe to us on YouTube, where we list your podcasts. We love you guys, rings reviews, and we'll catch you guys back here tomorrow afternoon.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.