Following free agency and the NFL draft, where have the Indianapolis Colts improved the most this offseason?
Each of ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters answered that question for their respective teams. When it came to the Colts, Stephen Holder selected the defensive tackle position.
“The Colts haven’t made any splashy acquisitions this offseason, so options are limited,” Holder wrote. “But they did add some notable depth to their interior defensive line, where veterans Colby Wooden, Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi will compete for snaps behind starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.”
The one-two punch that is DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart remains one of the best pass rush and run defense combos in the NFL. But the depth behind those two has been reshaped and improved this offseason.
Colby Wooden adds another versatile presence to this position group. Jerry Tillery can bring an added pass-rush presence inside, while Derrick Nnadi is a run-first defender. Adetomiwa Adebawore is returning for his fourth NFL season as well, after taking a step forward in 2025.
GM Chris Ballard agrees with Holder’s pick, mentioning before the draft that the depth up front has improved.
“I think our depth up front is better,” Ballard said. “I do believe that. I think the additions of Colby (Wooden) — like Colby he kind of gets washed over a little bit but like he started. He’s not really a nose but because of who he is as a kid, he ended up starting for Green Bay at the nose playing a lot of snaps but we think he gives us some real versatility as we do with (Jerry) Tillery. We think he gives us some versatility.”
However, while the defensive tackle position appears to be in good shape from top to bottom, questions still linger with the defensive end unit.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: What is Colts most improved position in 2026? Insider weighs in
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
