PFF projects Indianapolis Colts' starting defense for 2025 season

We have a long ways to go before roster decisions have to be made and starting lineups have to be constructed, but Pro Football Focus has taken an early swing at projecting who will be starting and playing key roles on defense for the Indianapolis Colts.In terms of what the starting lineup on paper will look like defensively, there isn't too much mystery when it comes to the Colts' defense.

Perhaps the biggest unknown lies at the cornerback position opposite of Charvarius Ward.However, several of these positions, like defensive tackle, defensive end, and perhaps even cornerback under Lou Anarumo, will rotate through players over the course of a game, so what those snap counts look like at a few of these positions is still to be determined.Here is how Pro Football Focus sees things shaking out for the Colts.

For a look at the offense, you can find that here.Defensive tackles: DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.The big question here is, how does the playing time behind these two end up playing out? At a heavily rotated position like defensive tackle, depth is very much a need here, and that's an area where the Colts have to be better this season.

In 2024, offenses frequently took advantage when Buckner or Stewart weren't on the field.GM Chris Ballard has reshaped the back end of this position group this offseason, letting go of Raekwon Davis and not re-signing Taven Bryan in order to bring in free agent Neville Gallimore and then draft Tim Smith.

Adetomiwa Adebawore is also returning and the Colts brought back Eric Johnson, who they claimed on waivers following his release from New England.Defensive ends: Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, Samson EbukamThis is another heavily rotated unit, so along with the trio listed above, we will certainly see JT Tuimoloau on the field, and the Colts also have Tyquan Lewis as well.

Not that a team can't have a five-man rotation at defensive end, but it is less common.

So this summer, one of the things I'll be watching for is the playing time distribution between Tuimoloau, Ebukam, and Lewis.

With Ebukam coming off an Achilles injury, which can take time for a player to return to their previous form, Tuimoloau could be the third member of this rotation.Linebackers: Zaire Frankline and Jaylon CarliesAs we highlighted recently, outside of Franklin, this is a very inexperienced position group when it comes to snaps on defense.

Carlies is the presumed starter after a solid rookie season, where he brought an added coverage ability to the position as a former safety and was a reliable tackler as well.

He does have only 242 career defensive snaps, however.Cornerbacks: Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, and Jaylon JonesThis trio would be my prediction as well.

Obviously, we know Ward and Moore will be on the field, but I don't believe Jones is locked into a starting role.

The Colts really like third-round draft pick Justin Walley, and JuJu Brents is returning as well.

My guess right now is that with Lou Anarumo's defensive back-reliant scheme, along with his game plans being very matchup and opponent-based, while there will be a starter on paper, we could see playing time vary at that cornerback spot opposite of Ward, depending on what the matchup dictates and the specific skill sets that are needed.Safety: Cam Bynum and Nick CrossThere is no mystery here when it comes to who is starting.

Rather, similar to linebacker, given the overall lack of experience at the position behind Bynum and Cross, how the depth chart shakes out behind these two is the big unknown right now.This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Indianapolis Colts' roster: Projecting starting offense for 2025.

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