The Colts are heading into 2026 with a defense that feels like a giant puzzle with several missing pieces. The turnover has been brutal.
Zaire Franklin and Kwity Paye are gone. So are Kenny Moore and Nick Cross.
Germaine Pratt, Samson Ekuban, Tyquan Lewis, and Neville Gallimore are out of the picture too. That kind of churn leaves Lou Anarumo trying to stitch together a unit built around a few proven veterans, a wave of rookies, and a bunch of depth players who are still mostly mystery boxes.
At the top of the board, the secondary looks like the safest place to start. Sauce Garner, Charvarius Ward, and Justin Walley give Indianapolis what should be a strong starting trio, as long as Ward stays clear of a concussion and Walley gets back to form after missing his rookie season.
Cam Taylor-Britt also profiles as a useful depth option. The problem shows up fast after that.
Jaylon Jones has barely played in well over a year, while Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards struggled in the first preseason game.
Safety is another area where the Colts can at least feel decent about the top end. Cam Bynum is described as rock solid, and whoever wins the job between Hunter Wohler and AJ Haulcy should be a quality piece as well.
The other one figures to see plenty of work in different packages, while Jonathan Owens is mainly there for special teams. If Owens is forced into a big defensive role, that probably means things have gone sideways.
Still, with Bynum and the young options up top, this group earns the strongest mark on the defense.
The front seven is where the questions really pile up. The interior defensive line might have the widest gap between upside and downside of any unit on the roster.
DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart can make the whole thing work if Buckner is fully healthy after missing the end of last season and Stewart bounces back from a somewhat down 2025. But the Colts also need meaningful snaps from veterans like Jerry Tillery and Derick Nnadi, and that’s asking a lot from a group where everyone is around 30 or older.
The younger names, Colby Wooden and Adetowima Adebawore, are supposed to grow into larger roles, but that’s still an open question. Michael Clemons could also chip in as an interior pass-rush specialist, which might squeeze one of those backups out.
On the edge, the story is similar: Laiatu Latu and a lot of uncertainty. Latu is already good and still improving, and Arden Key gives Indianapolis a serviceable veteran.
After that, the Colts are counting on younger players to take real steps forward. Jaylahn Tuimoloau and Caden Curry are both in the mix, and George Gumbs may even make the roster at the expense of one of the interior linemen, but that doesn’t really change the bigger picture.
The pass rush needs more than hope, and right now there isn’t enough evidence to call it a true weapon.
Linebacker might be the thinnest spot of all. CJ Allen is the key name, and his training camp injury has already slowed everything down.
The longer he’s away, the tougher it gets for him to reach the level the Colts need from him. In the meantime, Akeem Gaither-Davis and Bryce Boettcher have done well, but this unit still needs Allen to play at a very high level.
So far, that hasn’t happened.
Special teams doesn’t exactly brighten the mood. Blake Grupe and Rigoberto Sanches are both middle-of-the-pack performers, which is acceptable.
Anthony Gould has not shown enough as a kick returner, and that’s a real issue. Coleman Owen could end up taking that job, though he doesn’t project as a major upgrade.
Luke Rhodes remains the long snapper.
The overall picture is pretty clear: the Colts have some solid pieces, but too many of the important spots depend on players who haven’t proven much yet. The grades reflect that reality, and there’s no escaping it.
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Justin Walley has been one of the names benefiting from that shift, drawing attention in training camp and looking like the player the Colts are lining up to replace Moore. For Moore, the next step has been less certain, as he remains unsigned and is working out locally to stay ready while he waits for the right opportunity to open up. [Read more 🡒]