2. Colts must limit the opponent’s passing game
Not getting enough pressure allowed opposing quarterbacks to carve up the Indianapolis Colts defense at times. The Miami Dolphins were ranked 16th last season in opponent passing yards per game with 227.7. 16 is half of 32 so we can say that the Dolphins were at the middle of the pack as far as positive or negative for this stat. Using this as a baseline, the Colts allowed over 227 passing yards in nine games (half of their slate last season).
Their highest allotment was against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football in Week 5 where they allowed 437 yards via the air, granted, this game did go into overtime. For those that are curious, the Colts ranked 19th last season in opponent passing yards per game with 234.1. They allowed at least this many yards in eight games last season. Fun fact, Indianapolis also allowed the second most passing touchdowns last season with 32. The only team worse than them was the Washington Commanders who allowed 34.
All this to say, the Colts have to get better in the secondary. There was a revolving door at safety and cornerback last season with how many injuries we had. This led the likes of Andrew Sendejo, George Odum, TJ Carrie, and Jahleel Addae to start 10, seven, one, and one game respectively. Xavier Rhodes, Julian Blackmon, Khari Willis, and Rock Ya-Sin all suffered various injuries at some point in the season last season. Ballard did not want to have this happen again so he set out to add depth to the secondary this offseason. Bringing in Gilmore, Facyson, and McLeod should help tremendously. They were also able to draft several depth pieces in the secondary which should help quell any concerns about an injury occurring.
Stephon Gilmore is going to be the saving grace for the secondary this season. He has been on a tear the last four seasons being named to the Pro-Bowl in each as well as being named the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Gilmore will automatically match up with the opposing team’s best receiver and slow down the passing game. Since entering the NFL he has had at least one interception each year. He has also recorded double-digit pass deflections in 6 of his 10 seasons.
In 2019 he led the league with 20 pass deflections, a number he has hit twice in his career. Only having one sack in his career shows that Gilmore is focused on the passing game and utilized almost entirely in that facet of the game. Just like Ngakoue, this addition is two-fold because he brings great individual performance as well as the ability to take pressure off of his teammates in the secondary like Kenny Moore, Isaiah Rodgers, and Facyson.
This has to be one area of improvement in the upcoming season if the Colts want to be successful. The offense will have more obstacles to overcome than the defense will this season so Indianapolis needs to lean on them. Limiting the passing game will force teams to run the ball which the Colts defended well last season. This will also take big-play chances away from opposing teams and allow Indy to set the pace of play and take pressure off our offense.