When is the last time the Colts had a top-five defense?
The Indianapolis Colts have the potential to have an extremely dominant defense this season, something Indy hasn’t had in a long time.
This offseason, the Indianapolis Colts were intentional about building up an already quality defense. Indy traded for Yannick Ngakoue and signed five-time Pro Bowl corner, Stephon Gilmore. The Colts also made several depth signings like Brandon Facyson, Rodney McLeod, and Armani Watts.
All of these players will join a defense that already has Darius Leonard, DeForest Buckner, and Kenny Moore. Indianapolis also has several promising young defenders like Kwity Paye, Isaiah Rodgers, and Julian Blackmon. Overall, this is a deep and talented unit that could cause problems for offenses next season.
Last season, the Colts were already a good defense. They allowed 21.5 points a game which was ninth-best in the NFL and had 33 takeaways, which was second-most by one to the Dallas Cowboys.
However, Indy did struggle at times defensively when they weren’t taking the ball away and often couldn’t close out games. That’s why the front office was so aggressive this offseason.
With the new additions, many believe the Colts could be one of the top defenses in the league this season, but, that’s something that Indianapolis hasn’t done in a while.
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Have the Colts ever had the top defense in the NFL?
During the Matt Eberflus era, Indianapolis’ defense has floated around the top-10 ranking but it wasn’t able to establish the dominance of a top-five unit.
In fact, the Colts haven’t had a top-five defense since the 2007 season, when Indy had the league-best scoring defense. That year, Indy only allowed 16.4 points a game and 279.7 yards a game.
That was the year following the Colts’ Super Bowl 41 victory when the defense was led by Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, and 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, Bob Sanders.
With another talented cast of defenders in Indianapolis now, could the Colts’ defense return to the top of the league?
Could Colts have league-best defense next season?
They certainly have the potential to. Indianapolis almost has multiple Pro Bowl players at every level of the defense. Darius Leonard also has the potential to win Defensive Player of the Year.
Additionally, new defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, is no stranger to coaching quality defenses. He along with the other new additions and returning players could give Indianapolis a frightening defense.
