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.
