In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.
Up next, let’s take a look at defensive tackle Taven Bryan. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.
Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin
Mark Glowinski
Bryan has spent the last two seasons with the Colts in a rotational role along the defensive front behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner.
In 159 pass rush snaps, Bryan would total just eight pressures last season. Out of 124 eligible interior defenders, Bryan ranked 96th in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric.
Against the run, he ranked 120th out of 149 defensive tackles in run-stop rate.
While there are a lot of position groups that GM Chris Ballard could add to this offseason, improving the depth behind Stewart and Buckner has to be on the to-do list. Offenses would routinely take advantage of the Colts’ interior front when those two weren’t on the field.
To a degree, Bryan’s role within Gus Bradley’s defense was always a bit head-scratching. The strength of his game in his career has been as a pass rusher and his most productive years have come where he’s seen more snaps away from the interior.
However, even so, after two underwhelming seasons it feels like Bryan’s time in Indianapolis has run its course and if Ballard is truly going to emphasize competition this offseason, then it’s time to go in a different direction when it comes to the interior defensive line depth.
Prediction: Taven Bryan signs elsewhere.