The Indianapolis Colts will enter the 2024 season boasting one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, and the unit will be led by the duo on the interior.
With DeForest Buckner lining up at the three-technique and Grover Stewart working at the one-technique, the Colts have a formidable wall on the interior defensive line.
So formidable in fact, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus believes they are one of the best defensive tackle duos in the NFL.
In his rankings of defensive tackles, Buckner came in at No. 6 and Stewart came in at No. 31.
Given Buckner's versatility lining up all over the defensive line, Monson gave credit to the veteran, calling him "a problem for offensive lines from any spot."
Buckner has been the heart of the Colts' pass rush ever since he arrived in 2020 and has produced at least 50 total pressures in each of the last two seasons.
Meanwhile, Monson praised Stewart as "one of the league’s better run defenders," which is no surprise given his production in recent seasons. Stewart also was praised a bit in improving his impact as a pass-rusher as well.
Stewart's presence impacts the game even when he's not directly making plays. He's arguably the most underrated player on the defensive side of the ball for Indy.
The Colts defense has some question marks in the secondary, especially after they didn't do much to bring in a whole lot of competition during the offseason.
But they can quell some of those concerns as long as the duo on the interior defensive line continues to produce at an elite rate.
For more Colts coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
