Colts' DeForest Buckner gets some love in 'players over 30' rankings

Kevin Hickey

Colts' DeForest Buckner gets some love in 'players over 30' rankings image

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has been the engine of the defense since his arrival in 2020, and he's still getting it done.

Arguably the biggest leader in the Colts locker room, Buckner has been getting it done both on and off the field. He enters the final stage of his career, but that doesn't mean he's slowing down.

In a ranking of the top NFL players over 30 years old, Pro Football Focus featured Buckner on the list.

21. DI DEFOREST BUCKNER, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Buckner has never graded below 71.6 overall, a mark he earned in his rookie season. The standout interior defender has logged six season-long grades above 80.1 in his career.

Buckner has been everything the Colts could have wanted since trading a first-round pick for him during the 2020 offseason. He's the consummate professional and the epitome of consistency in terms of production.

Buckner earned himself a two-year extension worth $46 million this offseason, a contract that was well deserved as one of Chris Ballard's favorite players.

The Colts defense is looking to take a step forward in 2024, and Buckner's presence in the middle of the defensive line will play a major role in that.

Kevin Hickey

Kevin Hickey Photo

Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11