he Indianapolis Colts are now two-for-two this offseason. Not in anything important, but ESPN has released two Top 10 lists of players at their position and the Colts have had a player on each. For a team that went 8-9 last season and has at least a mild identity crisis…baby steps. On Monday, running back Jonathan Taylor was No. 7 on ESPN’s “Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL’s top 10 running backs for 2025” list.
On Tuesday, ESPN released its list of Top 10 Defensive Tackles in the NFL and DeForest Buckner ranks No. 8 in the entire league. That’s good news since they did give up a first-round pick for him back in 2020.
“The tallest player on this list (6-foot-7) continues to play big, averaging 8.4 sacks per season since 2018,” writes Jeremy Fowler.
“The most underrated defensive player in the league,” said one high-ranking AFC personnel exec.
After making the trade with the San Francisco 49ers five years ago, the Colts immediately signed him to a four-year, $84 million contract. Since then, he’s become a first-team All Pro, made two Pro Bowls and secured 39 sacks. Amongst defensive tackles, only Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs (47.5) and Aaron Donald (39) are in the same ballpark.
Pretty impressive for a player that often gets forgotten in the league. That can happen when you’re an excellent defender (that won’t have eye-popping interception stats or sack totals) on a team that’s just kind of there. Ask Adrian Wilson about that, he was an incredible safety for the Arizona Cardinals for years, but no one heard of him until they started winning games in the Kurt Warner years.
Buckner has exceptional physical gifts
Buckner certainly has unique size and that’s a challenge for offensive linemen (assuming you’re not going to do something stupid and try a tight end or running back). He’s 6′ 7″ and 295 lbs., which is abnormal at a position that is more likely to employ fire hydrants.
He’s a challenge on every down and he made ESPN’s list mainly because of that.
“Despite missing five games last season, Buckner continues to disrupt opposing offensive lines,” Fowler continues. “His 16.4% pass rush win rate ranked second among the top 10, trailing Jones. As multiple voters pointed out, Buckner isn’t in Tier 1 but will always hang around in the top 10 because of his consistency.”
“His game will age well because of his length, technique and high motor,” an NFL personnel evaluator told ESPN.
So, how did the trade work out for Indy?
Trades like the Colts-Niners deal for Buckner rarely work out. First, the Colts had to give up significant draft capital to get a guy that was drafted 7th-overall in 2016 and was still in his prime. Then, they had to sign him to a four-year, $84 million contract, which is another significant investment. Then, he has to play at a high level for a solid amount of time.
And it’s worked out for Indianapolis; Buckner has been as good as advertised.
Luke Schultheis of Stampede Blue says it’s the general manager’s high-water mark.
“Honestly, trading for Buckner was one of the best moves of longtime general manager Chris Ballard’s tenure as the engine that has consistently driven their defense at the 3T position,” Schultheis writes.
“Featuring freakishly long arms, athleticism, and surprising quickness, Buckner has been a yearly interior pass rushing force for the Colts, consistently commanding double teams, and one of the legitimate stars on that side of the ball, especially after All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard’s eventual career-ending back injury a few years ago.
“When also factoring in his leadership, durability, and work ethic, he’s been as good as advertised, if not better—and well worth trading for on the Colts’ end.”