Summer Breakdown: Defensive Tackles
In the Middle of the Defense, It's Buck, Big Grove and Anybody's Guess
99 DeForest Buckner
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’7, 291, 5.05 (Combine), 2016 senior
2024 stats
35 tackles, 7 assists, 7 missed tackles, 8 TFL, 6½ sacks, 7 QB hits, 21 hurries, 1 PBU, 1 penalty with the Colts (Note: on Buckner’s one play at HB, he threw an effective run block)
2024 positions
413 DT, 139 DE, 14 ED, 8 ILB, 5 NT, 1 HB (4 ST) with the Colts
2023 stats
50 tackles, 21 assists, 6 missed tackles, 11 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 1-26-1 fumble recovery, 8 sacks, 13 QB hits, 30 hurries, 7 PBU, 5 penalties with the Colts
2023 positions
443 DT, 347 DE, 32 ED, 14 NT, 3 ILB, 1 OLB (21 ST) with the Colts
Overview
If you’re a Colts fan, and don’t already know about Buckner, not much of the rest of this will make much sense to you, but here’s the abridged version: Buckner is one of the greatest 3-techs ever to play the game, and is generally just as effective at 5-tech. His only real weaknesses are constant double teams and impending age.
Likely Role
Starting DT, and pace-setter for the defense.
90 Grover Stewart
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’4¼, 347, 5.14 (pro day), 2017 redshirt senior
2024 stats
41 tackles, 25 assists, 5 missed tackles, 10 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 3½ sacks, 2 QB hits, 9 hurries, 3 PBU, 3 penalties with the Colts
2024 positions
607 DT, 66 NT, 14 DE, 1 HB, 1 ILB (167 ST) with the Colts (Note: Like Buckner, Stewart’s one play at HB resulted in an effective run block)
2023 stats
28 tackles, 10 assists, 4 missed tackles, 5 TFL, ½ sack, 6 QB hits, 8 hurries, 1 penalty with the Colts (note: Franklin’s two snaps at FB resulted in a decent pass block, and a route run that did not result in a target)
2023 positions
406 DT, 25 NT, 22 DE (121 ST) with the Colts
Overview
Stewart is an effective counterbalance to Buckner. While his partner is all go-go-go, Stewart is a massive space-eater with excellent instincts, tackling ability and near-unbelievable strength.
When Stewart was on suspension in 2024, the Colts’ run defense fell apart as Adebawore, Davis and Bryan all showed that they couldn’t do what Stewart does. He can control his area, and curtail most inside runs, no matter who’s blocking him. Missed tackles are very rare, especially considering his position.
Stewart will never be a sack master, but he doesn’t just hope to push his offensive lineman into the QB. He has a strong use of hands, and can make his presence known, even if he doesn’t get the sack.
Fans and media often wonder about his conditioning, but he has remarkable in-game stamina, and he had played 84 straight games before his suspension, so he’s as durable as a Honda gearbox.
Likely Role
Last season proved just how valuable Stewart has been to the Colts’ defense. He’ll begin the season where he always does, starting at defensive tackle, beside Buck.
92 Neville Gallimore
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’2, 394, 4.79 (Combine), 2020 redshirt senior
2024 stats
11 tackles, 11 assists, 2 missed tackles, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 5 hurries with the Rams
2024 positions
156 DT, 97 DE, 10 ED (32 ST) with the Rams
2023 stats
8 tackles, 10 assists, 1 missed tackle, 2 TFL, 1 QB hit, 1 PBU, 1 penalty with the Cowboys
2023 positions
116 DT, 43 DE, 26 NT, 11 ED, 1 ILB (1 ST) with the Cowboys
Overview
Gallimore is a great example of NFL GMs ignoring a player’s tape. At Oklahoma, Gallimore looked tireless on the field, working hard all snap, every snap. And when he ran a comparatively blazing 4.79 forty, his draft stock soared.
If they watched the film, they’d have seen that he almost never got under his opponent’s pads, couldn’t use leverage to his advantage and didn’t have the kind of balance the position requires. He lacked first-step power, and usually finished snaps lying on the turf.
But the Cowboys picked him in the third round. Their return on investment was a player who was below average in every phase of defense. For the 2024 season, Gallimore signed with the Dolphins, but they cut him in August. He was signed the next day by the Rams. After another year like his four in Dallas, they cut him too.
Likely Role
Although the talk out of Coltland has been very positive about Gallimore, I would advise against getting your hopes up too high. We’ve seen it before. In 2023, the brought in Taven Bryan to much rejoicing (he’s a former first rounder!). And, in 2024, it was Raekwon Davis, and fans cheered (he’s huge!). Bryan was a flop. Davis was a collossal flop.
Gallimore will get a chance to be Stewart’s backup. But, remember, he’s only guaranteed $400,000.
95 Adetomiwa Adebawore
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’1½, 282, 4.49 (Combine), 2023 senior
2024 stats
4 tackles, 1 assist, 1 missed tackle, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 hurry, 1 penalty (1 special teams tackle, 1 special teams assist, 1 special teams missed tackle) with the Colts
2024 positions
96 DT, 20 DE, 14 ED, 7 NT (223 ST) with the Colts
2023 stats
2 tackles, 3 missed tackles, 1 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 1½ sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 hurries, 1 penalty with the Colts (1 special teams tackle)
2023 positions
88 DT, 43 DE, 1 OLB (74 ST) with the Colts
Overview
Everybody knows Adebawore’s claim to fame — he was the first 280 pound-plus guy to run in the 4.4s at a Combine, when he posted a 4.49 at the 2023 event. That almost assured that the Colts would draft him, even after modest production at Northwestern.
The results on defense have not been great. After two seasons, he has recorded 6 tackles, while missing 4. He’s ranged from atrocious to bad as a run defender, and has managed 2½ sacks, 3 QB hits and 3 hurries on 146 pass rush snaps.
On special teams, however, he’s been good enough to be in the running for a roster spot on that alone.
Likely Role
There is pressure on Adebawore to succeed in the third year of his four-year rookie contract. One of Adebawore’s problems is that he just doesn’t have the weight for the inside mosh pit. In fact, while he was not a top performer with the Sooners, they had much more success with him at end and even on the edge. There he gives up a lot in length, but can use his speed.
I can’t predict what Anarumo will do with Adebawore, but I think giving him reps outside might be a good idea. Otherwise, the Colts should just regard him as a special teams guy, and hope that the light turns on for him.
93 Tim Smith
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’4¼, 306, 5.17 (pro day), 2025 redshirt senior
2024 stats
14 tackles, 9 assists, 1 missed tackles, 4 TFL, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit, 8 hurries, 1 PBU, 4 penalties with Alabama
2024 positions
240 DT, 99 DE, 69 ED, 4 NT (26 ST) with Alabama
2023 stats
14 tackles, 9 assists, 1 missed tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit, 4 hurries with Alabama
2023 positions
232 DT, 69 DE, 25 NT, 3 ED (29 ST) with Alabama
Overview
With all the hype around Gallimore, it almost seems like everyone forgot that the Colts drafted a defensive tackle a few months ago.
If you want a good idea of Smith’s game, just look at Stewart’s. Then subtract a lot of refinement and a some functional strength. That’s it.
Smith works hard, does all the ugly-but-necessary work and plays to the whistle. He’s a stay-at-home DT/NT who will not dominate the stat sheet, but will please coaches and fellow players.
Likely Role
One of the defensive tackles will be used very much like how Anarumo used B.J. Hill in Cincinnati — a good chunk of snaps at true NT, and the rest at 3. That player will, of course, be Stewart. But Smith has a strong chance to be his backup. And, if things go really, really well, his successor.
98 Eric Johnson II
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’4¼, 299, 4.87 (pro day), 2022 redshirt senior
2024 stats
7 tackles, 8 assists, 1 missed tackle, 1 QB hit, 3 hurries with the Patriots
2024 positions
74 NT, 73 DT, 31 DE, 3 ED (37 ST) with the Patriots
2023 stats
8 tackles, 3 assists, 1 missed tackle, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 1 hurry, 1 penalty with the Colts
2023 positions
243 DT, 10 DE, 2 NT (65 ST) with the Colts
Overview
I wasn’t wild about Johnson as a prospect when the Colts drafted him, but tried to see the positive. Three years and a couple of months later, I’m doing almost exactly the same thing.
After two seasons with the Colts, he was waived just before the 2024 season, and immediately claimed by the Patriots. They waived him in May 2025, and the Colts immediately claimed him.
In his two seasons with the Colts, he recorded one sack, one TFL and one fumble recovery. His performances were below average in every aspect, and his run defense was close to horrendous in 2023 (and so was Adebawore’s).
It was a similar story in New England, where he played more nose tackle than he had in Indy (no surprise, Bradley seemed allergic to them). The results were slightly better than they were in Indy, but still not what you’d want from a guy who plays even occasionally. I’m not sure if the improvement — slight, but distinct — was a matter of him having more experience, playing nose more often or both. Since experience doesn’t go backwards, and Anarumo plays someone on the nose much more frequently, Johnson hopes to surprise.
Likely Role
Johnson will join Gallimore, Adebawore, Smith and UDFA Davis for one of what will probably be two roster spot, and snaps when Buck and Big Grove need a breather. He has experience on his side, but his resume has a few bad patches.
61 Devonta Davis
Height, Weight, Forty, Class
6’2½, 300, 4.89 (pro day), 2025 redshirt senior
2024 stats
19 tackles, 16 assists, 4 missed tackles, 6 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit, 11 hurries, 3 penalties with FAU
2024 positions
366 DT, 91 NT, 18 DE, 1 ED, 1 ILB (44 ST) with FAU
2023 stats
14 tackles, 3 assists, 1 missed tackles, 5 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 2½ sacks, 2 QB hits, 12 hurries, 2 penalties with Jackson State
2023 positions
215 DT, 30 NT, 20 DE, 3 ED (129 ST) with Jackson State
Overview
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Davis is a bull-strong run defender and block absorber, who can get to the passer every once in a while by strength and force of will.
If it sounds like I’m describing Smith, it fits, but it also fits Davis. Think of him as a very similar player, but at a lower level of competition. Yes, Davis is a much quicker on his feet (7.54 RAS, as compared to Smith’s 4.44), but Smith plays stronger and with more refinement. Surprisingly, Davis has played more nose than Smith.
Likely Role
That’s the thing with small school guys, you never really know if they’re diamonds or charcoal until they start playing in the NFL. Davis built a strong resume at Jackson State and FAU; but, as a UDFA, he probably faces a tougher road to a roster spot than Smith.