What grades from PFF did the current group of Indianapolis Colts’ safeties receive for their performances last season?

What grades from Pro Football Focus did the current group of Indianapolis Colts’ safeties receive for their performances last season?

We know that Cam Bynum and Nick Cross will be starting at safety for the Colts, but how the depth chart shakes out behind those two remains to be seen. Overall, there is a lot of inexperience within this position group.

While Rodney Thomas does have over 1,700 career defensive snaps, his role was significantly reduced in 2024, with him playing fewer than 100 defensive snaps on the year. None of the other safeties on the Colts’ roster currently have any NFL experience on defense.

In Lou Anarumo’s defense, there will be a greater reliance on the defensive back unit as a whole, especially in those obvious passing situations. This means that when we see those dime looks from the Colts, which there will be more of, a third safety could be on the field during those downs.

Versatility among this position group in Anarumo’s disguise-heavy scheme will be an important element as well.

Now, as far as PFF’s grading system goes, I always want to add the caveat that this metric is far from the be-all end-all when it comes to evaluating a player’s performance. It is one tool out of many that are out there and should be treated as such.

For some context around these metrics, here is a look at PFF’s grading system to provide some context behind the numbers:

90.0+: Elite80-89.9: High quality70-79.9: Good60-69.9: Above average50-59.9: Average40-49.9: Below average39.9 or less: Poor

Alright, now let’s dive in.

Cam Bynum

PFF grade: 61.6

Bynum has had very good ball production in his career, which includes forcing five interceptions and 11 pass breakups over the last two seasons. He’s also been a reliable tackler and can line up across the secondary, playing both man and zone coverages.

Nick Cross

PFF grade: 70.3

Cross’ 140 total tackles were among the most in the NFL of any defender. This resulted in him making a particularly big impact in the run game, where he ranked fourth among all safeties in stops last season, according to PFF’s metrics.

Daniel Scott

PFF grade: N/A

Scott missed the 2024 season due to injury.

Rodney Thomas

PFF grade: 56.5

As mentioned, Thomas played a small role last season, seeing just 98 total snaps on defense. He would make six tackles.

Hunter Wohler

PFF college grade: 70.9

Wohler is listed as a defensive back on the Colts’ team site rather than a safety. He is someone who could play strong safety, where more of his snaps come closer to the line of scrimmage, or he could provide a coverage presence at linebacker. Wohler gives Anarumo flexibility when it comes to how he utilizes him.

Ladarius Tennison

PFF college grade: 57.2

During this most recent season, Tennison was stingy in coverage, allowing only 12 receptions on 21 targets and holding opponents to 8.8 yards per catch. He recorded one interception and three pass breakups over his career, but has had a higher missed tackle rate, according to PFF’s metrics.

Trey Washington

PFF college grade: 85.1

Washington was an extremely reliable tackler, making 64 of his 68 attempts, and that resulted in him being a top run defender by PFF’s grading system as well. In coverage, Washington had his best season, allowing a completion rate of 59%, just 8.4 yards per catch, and held quarterbacks to a passer rating of 80.2. Washington also had four pass breakups and one interception.