Who on defense for the Colts made PFF’s top player rankings at each position group and where did they land?
Pro Football Focus recently put together their ranking of the top 32 players at each position group ahead of the 2025 NFL season. So, which players on defense for the Indianapolis Colts made these lists, and where did they land?
GM Chris Ballard reshaped the Colts’ secondary this offseason, signing Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum in free agency, along with spending a top 100 pick on Justin Walley.
Shane Steichen would also make a change at defensive coordinator, bringing in Lou Anarumo, whose more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme should help elevate the play on the back end as well as the defensive front.
Here is a look at which Colts players made these rankings and where they landed among their respective position groups.
6 Indianapolis Colts defenders are on PFF’s 2025 season rankings
IDL DeForest Buckner (8th): Compared to his position group last season, Buckner ranked seventh in pass rush win rate, 12th in pass rush productivity, and he was also ninth in run-stop rate.
IDL Grover Stewart (24th): Stewart ranked seventh among all tackles in PFF’s run defense grade in 2024. He also logged the seventh-most run defense tackles and was sixth in stops.
LB Zaire Franklin (27th): This ranking seems low, doesn’t it? Missed tackles and in coverage are areas of opportunity, but Franklin also led the NFL in tackles last season. He also forced four fumbles, which was tied for the second-most among all linebackers, and came away with two interceptions as well. Combined, the six forced takeaways were among the most at his position group.
CB Charvarius Ward (15th): Ward joins the Colts just one year removed from an All-Pro performance in 2023, where he allowed a completion rate of just 54% and came away with five interceptions and a whopping 17 pass breakups.
CB Kenny Moore (30th): Moore has played over 1,000 defensive snaps in four of the last five seasons and came away with three interceptions in 2024 while holding pass catchers to just 9.1 yards per catch.
S Nick Cross (31st): Cross was one of the bright spots on the Colts’ defense last season. Taking over as the strong safety, Cross was one of the better run defenders at the safety position last season by PFF’s metrics, and his three interceptions were tied for the team lead.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that Cam Bynum wasn’t listed. Somehow, he did not make PFF’s top safety rankings coming into this season. He will be a terrific fit in Anarumo’s defense with his versatility and ball-hawking abilities.
