JJ Stankevitz: They’ll help, certainly, but there’s some interesting stuff going on beneath the surface of these sack numbers.
Colts defensive linemen last year had a 28.9 percent pressure rate, 28th in the NFL – so they were neither consistently getting pressure nor bringing quarterbacks to the ground. But here’s an underlying that is indicative of the talent across the defensive line: Colts defensive linemen were 12th in the NFL in pass rush win rate, per Pro Football Focus, at 41.5 percent. This isn’t a bottom-10 group in terms of talent.
Colts defensive linemen last year totaled 105 “beaten defender” plays, per Pro Football Focus, behind only the Detroit Lions (5th in pressure rate), Pittsburgh Steelers (14th in pressure rate) and Philadelphia Eagles (8th in pressure rate). Again, the Colts were 28th in pressure rate despite pretty frequently having a defensive lineman beat the offensive lineman across from him.
Diving a little deeper here, on 86 of these 105 “beaten defender” plays, the opposing quarterback threw a pass within 2.5 seconds of getting the snap – the second-highest total in the NFL. And of those 86 plays, only 16 were registered as a contested target by Pro Football Focus. It’s hard to generate pressure when you beat the guy in front of you only to have a pass whizz by your ear for a completion.
The short version here is Anarumo’s defense – with its disguised, multiple coverages and creative blitz packages – very well could get more out of this defensive line in 2025, because the talent is already there. But let’s pull out of the weeds for a second and talk about the upside Latu and Tuimoloau bring.
And starting with Latu, who had four sacks last year, the Colts see plenty of reasons why he could make a significant Year 1 to Year 2 leap in production.
“I thought you could see it as the year went on. Were the sacks coming at the end? No, but the pressures were and I think you’ll see him finish…
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