Offseason Preview: Stewart will be priority as free agent DT

Feb. 20—INDIANAPOLIS — Grover Stewart didn't have the impact he hoped to have for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023.

Much of that can be attributed to the six-game ban the veteran defensive tackle received near midseason for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

And Stewart's absence was felt acutely.

In six games without Stewart, the Cotls surrendered an average of 153 rushing yards. In 11 games with Stewart on the field, that number dipped to 107.9.

"His leadership, especially in the d-line room, his influence throughout the entire team and the organization," defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said of his tag team partner's impact. "Everybody who comes across Grove loves Grove, not just the player but the person that he is. I feel like that's definitely one of the big-time guys we need to get back here. I feel like we are going to get it done."

Buckner alluded to Stewart's pending free agency.

A fourth-round pick in 2017 — general manager Chris Ballard's first NFL Draft with Indianapolis — the 30-year-old's mix of size and athleticism has made him one of the most unique players on the roster.

Simply put, there is nobody else currently in the locker room who can do what Stewart does for the team. His primary backup in 2023 — Taven Bryan — also is scheduled to become a free agent next month.

All of which adds to the sense of urgency to bring Stewart back into the fold.

"I think you know my feelings on Grover," Ballard said. "In my first year here, he was one of our first draft picks. He's done nothing but be a great Colt, a great teammate, everything you want. Yeah, Grover is a guy we'd like to have back."

If the big man returns, he and Buckner again figure to anchor the defense.

Buckner earned his third career Pro Bowl berth — and second in four years with the Colts — after recording 81 tackles, eight sacks, 21 quarterback hits and 11 tackles for loss in 2023.

The 29-year-old continues to be among the game's most underrated players, and his leadership has been felt on the field and in the locker room.

Buckner has missed just two games since arriving in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers prior to the 2020 season, and he's become the face of the Indianapolis defense.

His many duties have included helping the team transition to a slightly different style in the past two years under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. It's a process that will continue in 2024.

"I feel like, especially bringing his scheme here for the defense, really the front, having the Wide-9 and little things like that — I feel like we have been able to get sacks by the committee with the guys we have in the room," Buckner said. "This year we were able to set a franchise record in sacks (51) and little things like that.

"Obviously, we have some young guys all over the place on the defense, but obviously there are always places to grow — up front and in the back end."

For the defensive interior, that growth is likely to come from second-year defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore and third-year defensive tackle Eric Johnson.

A fourth-round pick last year out of Northwestern, Adebawore appeared in 10 games and recorded 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. He projects as both a backup to Buckner at the three-technique and a potential rotational pass rusher on the edge — filling a similar role to veteran Tyquan Lewis, who is scheduled for free agency next month.

Johnson — a fifth-round pick from Missouri State in 2022 — currently slots in as Stewart's back-up at nose tackle. He played in 14 games last year with one sack, 15 tackles and three quarterback hits.

With so much youth on the depth chart, this is an area of the roster where a veteran free agent addition could make sense.