The Indianapolis Colts signed veteran linebacker and defensive end Samson Ebukam last offseason. His contract included three years worth $24M with a maximum of $27M. Formerly from the Los Angeles Rams and the San Fransisco 49ers, Ebukam brought six years of experience to the team.
In his first season with the Colts, Ebukam made a splash early on and never let up. He started in all 17 games and finished with 39 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and nine sacks. Ebukam had the most productive season of his career with the Colts by surpassing his numbers in every major category. He also led the team in sacks and was tied for the lead in forced fumbles. Needless to say, the Samson Ebukam signing was a diamond in the rough for the Colts. Heading into his eighth year in the league and second year on the team, Ebukam will look to build on those numbers and be a dark horse for the defensive line.
Why Samson Ebukam Could Be a Dark Horse for the Colts
His Production Last Season Speaks for Itself
As mentioned, Samson Ebukam had a very productive year with the Colts. While he was one of the best defensive linemen on the team, Ebukam also was comparable across the league. His 39 solo tackles ranked 13th in the league, and his nine sacks ranked 19th in the league. His 10 tackles for loss ranked 25th in the league, and his 15 run stuffs ranked fifth in the league.
The Pro Football Network ranked Ebukam 18th amongst edge rushers entering the 2024 season. For a playmaker coming off the best season of his career with a new team, this ranking is high praise. Ebukam is ranked ahead of some elite talent like Joey Bosa, Denico Autry, Jadeveon Clowney, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Although Ebukam is not as high profile as those edge rushers, all accounts point that he will become a household name in 2024.
His Counterparts on the Defensive Line Will Bolster His Success
The Colts have many playmakers on their defensive line. Their most notable playmakers are defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and defensive end Kwity Paye. The Colts also have defensive tackle Grover Stewart and rookie edge rusher Laiatu Latu. Both Stewart and Buckner are veterans in the interior who have made a living off of stuffing the run and being disruptors in the middle of the line. Paye is entering his fourth year and is coming off an eight-sack season. Lastly, Latu is a first-round draft pick and was the first defensive player taken in the draft. He is also considered one of the best defensive players in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With all of these playmakers surrounding the defensive line unit, there is no question that Samson Ebukam will build off of last season and contend to be one of the biggest playmakers on the Colts end of the line. He could also be primed for being one of the top-edge rushers in the league. With Gus Bradley’s zone defensive scheme, Ebukam will be primed to find success coming off the edge. He has experience at linebacker and on the line, so his versatility will be crucial to pass-rushing success.
Main Photo: [Trevor Ruszkoski] – USA Today Sports
