Colts DE Samson Ebukam is entering a contract year, and fortunately for player and team, it appears he will be on the field when training camp begins in July. Per Mike Chappell of Fox 59, Ebukam expects to be medically cleared in time for camp.
Ebukam paced the Colts with 9.5 sacks in 2023, a performance that led to high expectations in 2024. Unfortunately, the former fourth-round pick of the Rams suffered a torn Achilles shortly after last year’s training camp got underway. While Indianapolis placed him on IR with a return designation in the hopes that he could suit up more quickly than expected, that did not materialize, and Ebukam ultimately missed the entire campaign.
His absence is one of the reasons why the Colts, after posting the fifth-most sacks in the league in 2023, finished with the seventh-fewest in 2024. Even with Ebukam in the fold, Indy’s defense was not a particularly stout unit in 2023, but his return, coupled with a shift in organizational philosophy that led to notable deals for Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward that are intended to address the club’s secondary woes, should beget an improvement in 2025.
While GM Chris Ballard finally landed a top tight end prospect in the first round of last month’s draft when he turned in the card for Penn State standout Tyler Warren, he continued to fortify the defensive side of the ball on Day 2, when he added Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and Minnesota cornerback Justin Walley. The team did lose Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency but still rosters DeForest Buckner and recent first-round draftees Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu along the defensive front.
Like Ebukam, Paye is going into a platform season. The Michigan product, who has recorded 16.5 sacks over the past two years, is due to earn $13.39MM on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and can take advantage of the booming pass rusher market if he can replicate or improve upon his recent performances.
Ebukam is entering his age-30 season and could therefore face a more limited market next March even if he has a healthy and productive season. Nonetheless, he should still have a number of suitors and a sizable new deal if he can match his 2023 production.