Latest news with #DeForestBuckner
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is Indianapolis Colts top candidate to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2025?
Who is considered the Colts' top Defensive Player of the Year candidate for the 2025 NFL season? Pro Football Network recently weighed in. Who is considered the Indianapolis Colts' top Defensive Player of the Year candidate for the 2025 NFL season? Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network recently selected who he believes the top candidate is for each team. When it came to the Colts, DeForest Buckner was the selection. "With 58.5 sacks over his last seven seasons, DeForest Buckner has long been one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL," wrote Infante. "He's a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro, but Buckner hasn't been a Defensive Player of the Year finalist yet. If he manages to stay healthy for a full 17 games, that could change in 2025." The last five NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners An ankle injury sidelined Buckner from Weeks 3-7 last season, but upon his return, he was his usual highly disruptive self. Even with missing five games, Buckner was still third on the team in pressures. Compared to his position group league-wide, he ranked seventh in PFF's pass rush win rate, 12th in pass rush productivity, and ninth in run-stop rate. That level of efficiency over the course of a full season has the potential to turn into some high-level production. In 2023, Buckner ranked 14th among all defensive tackles in pressures that year, and he was tied for eighth in sacks. For some context, and of course, the production that's needed to win this award each season differs, but when Aaron Donald won in 2020--the last defensive tackle to do so--he led all defensive linemen in pressures and sacks, according to PFF. Along with Buckner's own production, his presence on the field greatly benefits all the defenders around him with the attention he draws, the push he generates, and the mismatches he helps create.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at defensive tackle
The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed. Advertisement So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the defensive tackles. Below you can find our previous position previews. Can the Indianapolis Colts get improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart? We know how good DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are, but the defensive tackle spot is a very heavily rotated position, which puts a premium on having quality depth. Last season, the Colts' defense didn't get enough from those on the depth chart behind Buckner and Stewart. From a getting after the quarterback standpoint, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis totaled just 12 pressures on 333 combined pass rush snaps. Among all defensive tackles, Bryan ranked 96th out of 124 eligible interior defenders in pass rush productivity, and Davis was 122nd. Advertisement In the run game, Bryan ranked 120th out of 153 defenders in PFF's run-stop rate metric, and Davis was 149th. The Colts have reshaped the defensive tackle depth chart a bit this offseason, signing Neville Gallimore in free agency and adding Tim Smith in the draft. Adetomiwa Adebawore is returning for his third NFL season as well. 'I think what's unique about him (Tim Smith) is his ability to play blocks," said assistant director of college scouting Jamie Moore via the Indy Star. "It's something that (defensive coordinator) Lou (Anarumo) talked about when he got here, explaining how this defense is going to operate up front." Along with those additions, Lou Anarumo's more aggressive defensive scheme that'll include more movement up front can hopefully help elevate the play of the defenders behind Stewart and Buckner. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts' OTAs: More help for DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart needed
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at defensive tackle
Indianapolis Colts' OTAs: The big question at defensive tackle Indianapolis Colts, let's take a look at one big question facing each position group. Up next are the defensive tackles. The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed. So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the defensive tackles. Below you can find our previous position previews. Can the Indianapolis Colts get improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart? We know how good DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are, but the defensive tackle spot is a very heavily rotated position, which puts a premium on having quality depth. Last season, the Colts' defense didn't get enough from those on the depth chart behind Buckner and Stewart. From a getting after the quarterback standpoint, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis totaled just 12 pressures on 333 combined pass rush snaps. Among all defensive tackles, Bryan ranked 96th out of 124 eligible interior defenders in pass rush productivity, and Davis was 122nd. In the run game, Bryan ranked 120th out of 153 defenders in PFF's run-stop rate metric, and Davis was 149th. The Colts have reshaped the defensive tackle depth chart a bit this offseason, signing Neville Gallimore in free agency and adding Tim Smith in the draft. Adetomiwa Adebawore is returning for his third NFL season as well. 'I think what's unique about him (Tim Smith) is his ability to play blocks," said assistant director of college scouting Jamie Moore via the Indy Star. "It's something that (defensive coordinator) Lou (Anarumo) talked about when he got here, explaining how this defense is going to operate up front." Along with those additions, Lou Anarumo's more aggressive defensive scheme that'll include more movement up front can hopefully help elevate the play of the defenders behind Stewart and Buckner.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Indianapolis Colts star DeForest Buckner enters the NFL elite list after 10 years of unmatched grit and power
(DeForest Buckner enters NFL elite list after ten years of unmatched grit and power(Image Source: Getty Images) Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner has gotten huge attention from the football universe. Coming into his tenth year in the NFL, Buckner is being celebrated for both his performance and leadership on the field. This has come just in time before the 2025 season. Respected for his strength and reliability, DeForest Buckner has been a central figure on the Indianapolis Colts defense since arriving with the team in 2020. Today, analysts are labeling him one of the greatest veteran players continuing to play at an elite level in the league. DeForest Buckner earns a spot among NFL's best over 30 Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked its Top 30 NFL Players Over 30 on May 20, 2024. DeForest Buckner made the list. He will be 31 in March 2025. The list consisted of the most consistent and talented players above the age of 30 and yet going strong. DeForest Buckner signed for the Indianapolis Colts in March 2020 after being traded from the San Francisco 49ers. He has played five complete seasons with the Indianapolis Colts since then. According to official stats on DeForest Buckner has made 342 tackles, 39 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles during that time. Even though he missed five games during the 2024 season, he still managed to get 6.5 sacks and 61 tackles. According to PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman, DeForest Buckner received a grade of 81.9, which was the second-highest of his entire career. Wasserman wrote, 'Buckner continued to anchor the Colts' interior defense in 2024,' proving that he is still at the top of his game. DeForest Buckner still leads the Indianapolis Colts with power and purpose The Indianapolis Colts have depended significantly on DeForest Buckner since 2020. Buckner, along with teammate Grover Stewart, has formed a strong defensive line. DeForest Buckner received a 73.9 run defense PFF grade during the 2024 season and was among the top 11 defensive linemen out of 219 league players. Grover Stewart received a 78.7 grade, and the pair were among the most efficient defensive pairs. Even though DeForest Buckner had not missed a game in over three years before 2024, his return after injury showed his dedication and strength. The Indianapolis Colts are counting on both DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart to lead the team's defense again in the 2025 NFL season. Also Read: Aaron Rodgers may come to the Chicago Bears, and should Caleb Williams address Seth Wickersham's book? | NFL News - Times of India Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL.com mock draft has 49ers taking (another) Oregon DT in another attempt to fill DeForest Buckner/Arik Armstead-sized hole
One disappointing thing is the San Francisco 49ers pass rush. After 2024, it was clear they needed to do something to put someone opposite Nick Bosa, or they wouldn't get the quarterback as much as they'd want. That's where today's mock draft comes in from Gennaro Filice. He has the 49ers returning to the Oregon Ducks since that has worked so well in the past (Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner) and taking defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. A player who has had rising stock since his ridiculous NFL Combine performance: Looking at San Francisco's current depth chart, it's shocking how unimposing the defensive line appears on paper. Yeah, the group is headlined by Nick Bosa, but beyond the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, where's the beef? The Niners are particularly thin on the interior. So let's give them a scheme-versatile D-lineman out of Oregon — remember Arik Armstead, 49er Faithful? — who has drawn the kind of subtle-yet-consistent praise throughout the pre-draft process that makes me believe he could go surprisingly high. Advertisement I remember Arik Armstead, I remember DeForest Buckner, and I remember the holes left by those two Oregon alumni. The more I read on Harmon, the more I like him. His being a Duck, when they have been very helpful to the 49ers defensive line, also helps. He's 6 foot 5 inches, 315 pounds, and ran a 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That's just stupid. He can play multiple positions, so when the 49ers decide to do their yearly 'drop the D-lineman in coverage' play, he might also make it look somewhat serviceable. My issue is going to be his pass-rushing technique. He's a strong guy, but that alone isn't getting him to the top of the NFL. He also has a high pad level. That doesn't concern me much because I know another defensive lineman who struggled with that: DeForest Buckner. I'd be down for Harmon, but at 11, that's really where I'm skittish. The 49ers need either an offensive or a defensive lineman, and Harmon can fit the bill for the latter. His stock is rising largely from his terrific NFL Combine performance, which makes me a bit skeptical. If the 49ers could find a way to trade back a few spots and get him in the teens, I'd be all for that. Then again, if he's going to go late in the first round like some suggest, the 49ers could trade back into the first round to get him. Advertisement Or take him at 11. Do you think that's too much of a reach? More from
