Predicting Indianapolis Colts' 2025 starting defense after free agency

The Indianapolis Colts made two big free-agent additions on the defensive side of the football, signing safety Cam Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo also ended up signing with the Chicago Bears as well.

So, with the dust having settled on free agency, what might the Colts' starting defense look like in 2025?

Now, of course, the caveat here is that the NFL draft still has to take place, so some additional contributors will still be added to the roster.

But given what we know now, along with some educated guesses, let's predict who is on the field on offense for the Colts come Week 1.

You can find the projected starting offensive lineup here.

Defensive line: Laiatu Latu, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye

Depth at both of these positions is still a need and it's a very deep draft class at the defensive end and defensive tackle positions. So, that factor, coupled with GM Chris Ballard often adding to this position group, and it's more likely than not that we see an addition here in the draft. However, even so, this is probably your Week 1 starting lineup up front.

Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies

We will go with the nickel alignment since that's the most common. Right now, Carlies is the projected starter next to Zaire Franklin and can bring some added coverage ability to the position. However, this is a position that needs competition. Ballard shouldn't assume that Carlies will step into that starting role.

Cornerback: Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones

We saw Jones make strides last season, and while the depth of this group has improved as well with Corey Ballentine being signed and JuJu Brents healthy, I think Jones ends up being the starter.

Safety: Cam Bynum, Nick Cross

The Colts still need to bolster the depth behind these two. However, their starting safety is in place, with Bynum handling the deep safety role and Cross filling the strong safety role as he did last season, where he made strides.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 roster: Predicting starting defense after free agency

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