With offseason programs now behind us, we will be getting a jump start on our training camp preview by going player-by-player through the Indianapolis Colts’ 91-man roster.
Going alphabetically up next is defensive tackle Eric Johnson.
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Eric Johnson’s profile
NFL experience: 3 seasons
2024 Snap count totals2024 PFF grades2024 Season Review
Johnson was a fifth-round pick by the Colts in 2022 and spent his first two seasons with the team, playing 392 defensive snaps during that span. During roster cutdowns last summer, Johnson was released and claimed by the New England Patriots, where he spent the 2024 season.
Johnson would appear in 11 games on defense with the Patriots and play 178 snaps. He would record four pressures and had a below-average run defense grade by PFF’s metrics.
Johnson was released by New England a few weeks after the 2025 draft and was claimed on waivers by the Colts.
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Looking ahead to the 2025 season
We know that DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will lead the way at defensive tackle, but at a position where four or sometimes five players see regular playing time, the rotational roles behind those two are up for grabs this summer.
Johnson, along with free agent signee Neville Gallimore, draft pick Tim Smith, and Adetomiwa Adebawore, will be the primary competitors for that playing time. Also of note, it’s not a given that the Colts keep six defensive tackles either, so one of these players could be the odd man out when it comes to making the final roster.
My guess right now is that whoever can hold up best against the run is going to have the upper hand when it comes to seeing the field more.
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Regardless of how the playing time behind Buckner and Stewart shakes out, improved play from the rotational members of this position group is very much needed this season.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Previewing Colts’ 2025 roster: A closer look at DT Eric Johnson