In PFF’s top edge rusher rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL season, no members of the Indianapolis Colts were included.

In Pro Football Focus’ top edge rusher rankings ahead of the 2025 NFL season, no members of the Indianapolis Colts were included.

PFF has been putting together its ranking of the top 32 players at each position group. At the top of Ryan Smith’s edge rusher rankings were Myles Garrett, followed by Micah Parsons, TJ Watt, Nick Bosa, and Aidan Hutchinson.

Rounding out Smith’s list of 32 was Nolan Smith at No. 28, then Za’Darius Smith, Kyle Van Noy, Montez Sweat, and Nick Herbig.

Pass rush production is what is going to get edge defenders noticed in these rankings, and the Colts didn’t have anyone last season who really stood out in that regard.

The Colts’ player from 2024 with the most pressures was Dayo Odeyingbo–who is now in Chicago–with 42. League-wide among his position group, which ranked 44th, per PFF, while Kwity Paye’s eight sacks ranked 32nd.

A Year 2 leap from Laiatu Latu will be critical for this Colts’ pass rush unit that will be looking for more production in 2025. Latu finished his rookie season with 38 pressures, but perhaps a better indicator of what’s to come is that he ranked 27th in pass rush win rate, which showcases his ability to win his matchups regularly. Oftentimes, when there is consistency in that regard, the production will follow.

“He does it the right way,” Shane Steichen said via the team site at the NFL annual meeting. “The way he works, his work ethic is tremendous. I think you’ll see a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. I think he had four (sacks) his rookie year, if we can get into double digits in Year 2 that’d be tremendous.”

Also helping out this Colts’ pass rush should be the addition of Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator. His more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme should limit the opponent’s ability to utilize the quick passing game. This element was used often against the Colts’ secondary, and that made it much more difficult on the defensive front to generate pressure with the ball being out of the quarterback’s hands so quickly.