The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 NFL season believing Lou Anarumo’s defense can make a significant jump in Year 2 — and the talent is there for that improvement to happen.

Indianapolis finished 8-9 in 2025, missing the playoffs after an extraordinary late-season collapse. The Colts started 8-2 before losing their final seven games.

The defense finished the season allowing 24.2 points per game, with opponents accumulating 5,947 total yards. Indianapolis surrendered 1,732 rushing yards and generated only 29 sacks, although the defense intercepted 14 passes.

There were encouraging elements.

The Colts allowed only 3.9 yards per rushing attempt, providing a strong foundation against the run. Cam Bynum intercepted four passes. Laiatu Latu produced 8.5 sacks and remarkably intercepted three passes from his defensive-end position. DeForest Buckner and Adetomiwa Adebawore added four sacks apiece.

The problem was consistency.

Indianapolis allowed 4,462 gross passing yards, and the defense struggled to consistently generate pressure without manufacturing it. The secondary also dealt with significant injuries, particularly after the Colts made the blockbuster midseason trade for Sauce Gardner. Gardner and Charvarius Ward managed to play only one complete game together in 2025.

That makes the 2026 ceiling intriguing.

Gardner is healthy.

Ward is healthy.

Bynum returns.

Latu enters his third NFL season after more than doubling his sack production.

Buckner and Grover Stewart remain the veteran anchors inside.

And Indianapolis has aggressively rebuilt the supporting cast around them.

The Colts signed Arden Key, Micheal Clemons, Derrick Nnadi, Jerry Tillery, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Cam Taylor-Britt and Jonathan Owens while acquiring defensive tackle Colby Wooden from Green Bay.

Then Indianapolis used its first two selections of the 2026 NFL Draft on Georgia linebacker CJ Allen and LSU safety A.J. Haulcy. The Colts later added pass rushers George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry.

That youth is necessary because some enormous production left Indianapolis.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin, who played 1,112 defensive snaps and recorded 125 tackles, was traded to Green Bay.

Safety Nick Cross, who played 1,111 snaps and recorded 120 tackles, signed with Washington.

Kwity Paye departed for Las Vegas.

And longtime nickel corner Kenny Moore II was released.

Indianapolis isn’t simply running back the same defense.

It is attempting to build a faster, more versatile version of Anarumo’s system.

Indianapolis Colts 2026 Defensive Projections

Projected Record: 9-8

Projected Points Allowed Per Game: 21-23

Projected Total Defense: 320-335 yards per game

Projected Rushing Defense: 95-105 yards per game

Projected Passing Defense: 220-230 yards per game

Projected Team Sacks: 37-42

Projected Interceptions: 14-17

Projected Total Takeaways: 23-27

Projected Tackles for Loss: 80-90

Biggest Defensive Strength: Cornerback Talent and Defensive-Line Experience

Biggest Defensive Question: Can Indianapolis replace Zaire Franklin and Nick Cross in the middle of the defense without suffering communication problems?

Lou Anarumo’s Indianapolis Colts Defense

The 2026 season is Lou Anarumo’s second year as Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator.

That matters.

Anarumo’s defense is built around versatility.

Multiple fronts.

Disguised coverages.

Pressure from unexpected locations.

Safeties playing multiple roles.

Corners capable of surviving without constant help.

And defensive linemen who can create pressure without requiring a blitz on every third down.

The Colts now have more of the personnel necessary to execute that system.

Anarumo remains defensive coordinator, while James Bettcher coaches the linebackers. Indianapolis also hired veteran defensive-line coach Marion Hobby during the offseason.

The biggest advantage may be the secondary.

When Gardner and Ward are healthy, Indianapolis can put two established high-level outside corners on the field simultaneously.

That provides options.

Anarumo can blitz.

He can load the box.

He can disguise the safety rotation.

He can create pressure from linebacker.

And he doesn’t necessarily have to protect both outside corners with deep safety help.

That changes the geometry of the defense.

The challenge will be replacing communication in the middle.

Franklin wasn’t simply productive.

He played more defensive snaps than anyone on the team.

Cross was one snap behind him.

That is more than 2,200 combined defensive snaps leaving the lineup.

CJ Allen and A.J. Haulcy were drafted largely because Indianapolis believes they can eventually replace those responsibilities.

The physical ability is there.

The experience isn’t.

That makes September particularly important.

Indianapolis Colts Defensive Line Breakdown

The defensive line still begins with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.

Buckner remains one of the NFL’s premier interior pass rushers.

He recorded four sacks last season despite missing time and entering injured reserve late in December. Through the last six seasons, Buckner has accumulated 43 sacks, the second-most among NFL defensive tackles over that span.

That is elite interior production.

Buckner affects protections.

He creates push in the middle.

And he prevents quarterbacks from comfortably stepping forward when edge rushers attack.

His biggest concern is age and health.

Both Buckner and Stewart are 32 years old, which is why Indianapolis emphasized defensive-line depth throughout the offseason.

Stewart remains one of the most important players on the entire defense.

His statistical sack totals will never completely define his impact.

His job begins with controlling the run.

Indianapolis allowed opponents only 3.9 yards per rushing attempt in 2025, one of the strongest aspects of an otherwise inconsistent defense.

Stewart is a major reason why.

At nose tackle, he occupies space.

Commands blockers.

Keeps linebackers clean.

And forces running backs to change direction.

That should remain the foundation of the defense.

Indianapolis also has Adetomiwa Adebawore, who recorded four sacks last season and flashed additional pass-rush potential late in the year.

Then come the additions.

Colby Wooden was acquired from Green Bay in the trade that sent Franklin to the Packers.

Derrick Nnadi gives Indianapolis a veteran nose tackle behind Stewart.

Jerry Tillery provides experience and positional flexibility.

The current depth chart lists Buckner and Wooden at defensive tackle with Stewart and Nnadi at nose tackle, while Adebawore remains part of the interior rotation.

That depth is important.

The Colts should not need Buckner or Stewart playing exhausting snap totals every Sunday.

Keep them fresh.

Rotate Wooden.

Use Adebawore on passing downs.

Allow Nnadi to absorb physical early-down snaps.

That could become particularly important during the second half of the season.

Projected Indianapolis Rushing Defense: 95-105 yards per game

Indianapolis Colts Edge-Rusher Breakdown

This may be the most exciting position group on the defense.

Everything begins with Laiatu Latu.

Latu took a significant step forward during his second NFL season.

He finished 2025 with 8.5 sacks, up from four during his rookie year. He also generated 61 total pressures, which ranked 15th among NFL defensive ends according to PFF data cited by the Colts.

That pressure number is extremely encouraging.

Sacks can fluctuate.

Pressure generally reveals whether a pass rusher is consistently winning.

Latu was.

Now the goal is finishing more of those plays.

If 61 pressures become 10 or 11 sacks instead of 8.5, Indianapolis has a legitimate premier edge rusher.

The Colts reinforced the position by signing Arden Key.

Key arrives after spending three seasons with Tennessee.

He recorded four sacks, six tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits in 12 games last season. For his career, Key has 30.5 sacks and 96 quarterback hits.

His recent production shows what Indianapolis can reasonably expect.

6.5 sacks in 2021.

4.5 in 2022.

6.0 in 2023.

6.5 in 2024.

Four in an injury-shortened 2025.

Key doesn’t need to become a 12-sack star.

If he produces six or seven opposite Latu, the Colts become considerably more difficult to protect.

Then there is Jaylahn Tuimoloau.

Indianapolis believes its 2025 second-round pick can make a significant Year 2 jump. General manager Chris Ballard specifically identified Tuimoloau and Latu as two returning defensive ends with substantial upside.

And the Colts kept adding.

Micheal Clemons brings veteran rotational experience.

George Gumbs Jr. entered the NFL after recording 21.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks during his college career.

Caden Curry could become one of the draft’s more intriguing late-round pass rushers after exploding for 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss at Ohio State in 2025.

That gives Anarumo options.

Latu.

Key.

Tuimoloau.

Clemons.

Curry.

Gumbs.

The Colts don’t have to play the same two edge defenders for 70 snaps.

They can rotate.

Create specialized passing-down packages.

Move rushers around.

And attack offensive tackles with fresh legs late in games.

Projected Indianapolis Team Sacks: 37-42

Laiatu Latu: Indianapolis’ Defensive Breakout Star

Laiatu Latu enters 2026 with a legitimate opportunity to become one of the AFC’s better young pass rushers.

His progression is exactly what Indianapolis wanted.

Four sacks as a rookie.

8.5 in Year 2.

Sixty-one pressures.

And now a third season in Anarumo’s system.

What made Latu’s 2025 season even more unusual was his ball production.

He intercepted three passes.

Three.

From a defensive end.

That speaks to his instincts.

Latu isn’t merely sprinting blindly toward quarterbacks.

He understands passing lanes.

Screens.

Drops.

And offensive concepts.

The next step is becoming more consistent as a finisher.

Ballard specifically said Indianapolis wants Latu to convert more of his pressures into sacks.

The supporting cast should help.

Key gives Indianapolis another veteran edge threat.

Buckner still requires attention inside.

Adebawore can rush from the interior.

Tuimoloau should improve.

Curry provides developmental upside.

Offensive lines won’t be able to automatically slide protection toward Latu on every third down.

Laiatu Latu Projection: 50-60 tackles, 12-15 tackles for loss, 10-12 sacks and multiple forced turnovers.

Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Breakdown

This is the biggest question on the defense.

The Colts traded Zaire Franklin, who recorded 125 tackles in 2025 and played more defensive snaps than any Indianapolis defender.

Franklin had become the center of the defense.

He communicated.

He tackled.

He rarely came off the field.

That job is now available.

The biggest candidate is rookie CJ Allen.

Indianapolis selected Allen in the second round after an accomplished career at Georgia.

The Colts view him specifically as a MIKE linebacker, the same position Franklin manned for the previous five seasons. Indianapolis believes Allen has the physicality, speed, football intelligence and leadership to eventually wear the defensive communication helmet.

That is a major responsibility for a rookie.

The positive side is his background.

Allen started for more than two seasons at Georgia.

He played SEC football.

He practiced against NFL-caliber players every day.

And Indianapolis repeatedly praised his preparation and leadership throughout the draft process.

The Colts also signed Akeem Davis-Gaither.

He currently sits atop the unofficial depth chart at weakside linebacker, while Allen is listed first at MIKE.

But the competition remains wide open.

During training camp, Indianapolis rotated six linebackers with the first-team defense:

Austin Ajiake.

CJ Allen.

Bryce Boettcher.

Jaylon Carlies.

Akeem Davis-Gaither.

West Weeks.

That tells us two things.

First, Indianapolis hasn’t simply handed the positions to anyone.

Second, the Colts believe they have legitimate depth.

Jaylon Carlies may be the wild card.

Indianapolis expected a larger role from him in 2025, but injuries during OTAs and training camp contributed to him spending more than half the season on injured reserve.

His safety background provides coverage versatility.

That fits Anarumo’s defense.

Allen provides the traditional inside presence.

Carlies provides length and movement.

Davis-Gaither brings veteran experience.

Boettcher adds rookie athleticism.

The question is whether the group can replace Franklin’s reliability immediately.

There will probably be mistakes.

The key is making sure they don’t become explosive touchdowns.

CJ Allen Projection: 80-95 tackles, 5-8 tackles for loss, 2-4 sacks and multiple passes defended.

CJ Allen: Indianapolis’ Defensive Wild Card

CJ Allen may become the most important rookie on the Colts’ roster.

Not because Indianapolis needs him to lead the NFL in tackles.

Because it needs him to eventually control the defense.

The MIKE linebacker frequently becomes the quarterback of the front seven.

He has to recognize formations.

Communicate checks.

Adjust to motion.

Understand protection.

Identify run fits.

And get everyone aligned before the snap.

The Colts believe Allen has the intelligence and leadership required for that assignment.

But NFL offenses will test him.

Baltimore will use motion and quarterback runs.

Kansas City will manipulate linebackers with Patrick Mahomes.

Houston will use play-action.

Philadelphia will stress run fits.

Cincinnati will attack coverage matchups.

That is an enormous learning curve.

Allen doesn’t need to be Franklin immediately.

He needs to become reliable.

If he does, Indianapolis can survive the linebacker transition much more smoothly than expected.

Indianapolis Colts Secondary Breakdown

This may be the most talented position group on the roster.

It begins with Sauce Gardner.

Indianapolis paid an enormous price to acquire him.

The Colts sent the Jets their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks plus wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for Gardner at the 2025 trade deadline.

That is franchise-player compensation.

Gardner earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-Pro honors in 2022, then repeated as a First-Team All-Pro in 2023. He became the only cornerback since 1970 to earn first-team All-Pro honors in each of his first two seasons.

His first partial season in Indianapolis was frustrating.

A calf injury limited his availability after the trade, and he and Charvarius Ward played only one complete game together.

Now both are healthy.

That changes everything.

Charvarius Ward has already demonstrated elite NFL production of his own.

His 2023 season with San Francisco included a league-leading 23 passes defensed and five interceptions.

Having Gardner on one side and Ward on the other creates exactly what Anarumo wants.

Corners capable of surviving difficult assignments.

Training camp reports have been extremely encouraging, with both healthy and practicing together.

Then there is Cam Bynum.

Bynum was one of Indianapolis’ biggest defensive playmakers in 2025.

He started all 17 games and recorded 81 tackles, eight passes defensed, four interceptions, one sack and a forced fumble.

That four-interception total led the Colts.

His versatility becomes particularly useful in Anarumo’s system.

Bynum can play deep.

Move down.

Disguise coverage.

Blitz.

Or rotate after the snap.

But Indianapolis must replace Nick Cross.

That is where rookie A.J. Haulcy enters.

The Colts selected Haulcy in the third round after he accumulated 347 tackles and 10 interceptions across 48 college games.

At LSU last season, Haulcy recorded 88 tackles and three interceptions, earned First-Team All-SEC honors and went 702 defensive snaps without committing a penalty.

That is an impressive résumé.

The ball production is particularly interesting.

Haulcy led three different college programs in interceptions during his career.

Indianapolis isn’t asking him to learn how to find the football.

It is asking him to do it against NFL quarterbacks.

The secondary also includes Cam Taylor-Britt, Jonathan Owens, Justin Walley and additional depth, while Walley returns after missing his rookie season with a torn ACL.

The potential is enormous.

Gardner.

Ward.

Bynum.

Haulcy.

If healthy, that could become one of the better starting secondaries in the AFC.

Projected Colts Interceptions: 14-17

Sauce Gardner: Indianapolis’ Defensive Superstar

Sauce Gardner has an opportunity to completely change how Indianapolis plays defense in 2026.

The trade price created pressure.

Two first-round picks.

A young receiver.

That means Indianapolis isn’t expecting merely good cornerback play.

The Colts expect a difference-maker.

Gardner’s track record justifies the expectation.

Two-time First-Team All-Pro.

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Opposing quarterbacks have completed only approximately half of their career targets against him, according to the PFF data cited by Indianapolis.

His biggest weakness from a betting-stat perspective is interceptions.

Gardner has never been a huge interception producer.

Quarterbacks often simply don’t throw toward him.

That doesn’t make him less valuable.

It makes him more valuable.

If Gardner can effectively remove an outside receiver, Anarumo can dedicate resources elsewhere.

Additional pressure.

Safety help toward Ward.

More attention to tight ends.

More aggressive run fits.

Gardner’s real value may show up in someone else’s statistics.

More Latu sacks.

More Bynum interceptions.

More Allen tackles for loss.

That is what elite corners can do.

Four Indianapolis Colts 2026 Defensive Prop Bets

Note: NFL defensive futures and player markets vary significantly by sportsbook and state. The statistical lines below should be treated as projection-based betting benchmarks unless the exact market is available at your sportsbook.

Prop Bet #1: Indianapolis Colts Over 34.5 Team Sacks

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Indianapolis Colts Over 34.5 Team Sacks

• Laiatu Latu Had 8.5 Sacks
• Arden Key Adds Veteran Pressure
• Deep Young Edge Rotation

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Why the Over Is a Good Bet

Indianapolis recorded only 29 sacks in 2025.

That makes 34.5 a very reasonable improvement target.

Latu alone produced 8.5 and 61 pressures.

Those pressure numbers suggest double-digit sacks are possible.

Key adds another veteran who has already produced multiple six-plus-sack seasons and owns 30.5 career sacks.

Tuimoloau enters Year 2.

Curry arrives after recording 11 sacks at Ohio State.

Gumbs had 11.5 career college sacks.

Buckner remains dangerous inside.

Adebawore recorded four sacks last season.

The Colts don’t need one player to reach 15.

Ten from Latu.

Six from Key.

Four from Buckner.

Three or four from Adebawore.

Production from Tuimoloau and the rookies.

That gets Indianapolis into the upper 30s.

Why the Under Is a Good Bet

The Colts have plenty of pass-rush potential.

Potential isn’t production.

Indianapolis recorded only 29 sacks last season.

Key had four in 2025.

Tuimoloau remains unproven as an NFL starter.

Curry and Gumbs are rookies.

Buckner is 32 and coming off an injury-shortened season.

Anarumo may also prioritize coverage over heavy pressure if Gardner and Ward are healthy.

Indianapolis could significantly improve defensively while still finishing with 32 or 33 sacks.

Projection: 37-42 Team Sacks

Bet: Over 34.5 Team Sacks

Confidence: 8/10

Prop Bet #2: Laiatu Latu Over 9.5 Sacks

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Laiatu Latu Over 9.5 Sacks

• 8.5 Sacks in 2025
• 61 Total Pressures
• Deeper Pass-Rush Rotation

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Why the Over Is a Good Bet

Latu is trending directly toward double digits.

Four sacks as a rookie.

8.5 in Year 2.

Sixty-one total pressures.

Ten sacks would require only 1.5 more than last season.

The surrounding talent should help.

Key provides pressure opposite him.

Buckner attacks inside.

Adebawore can create interior disruption.

Tuimoloau has another year of development.

Curry adds another situational rush option.

That makes it harder for offensive lines to consistently dedicate every protection adjustment toward Latu.

His pressure total is the most encouraging piece.

Players who consistently reach quarterbacks generally eventually convert more of those pressures into sacks.

Why the Under Is a Good Bet

Ten sacks is still a meaningful threshold.

Opponents know exactly who Indianapolis’ premier pass rusher is.

They will chip him.

Slide protection.

Throw quickly.

Use screens.

And alter launch points.

The increased defensive-line depth could also reduce Latu’s snap count.

Indianapolis wants to play meaningful games in December and January.

Keeping its best edge defender fresh may matter more than maximizing his sack total.

Projection: 10-12 Sacks

Bet: Over 9.5 Sacks

Confidence: 7.5/10

Prop Bet #3: Indianapolis Colts Over 13.5 Interceptions

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Indianapolis Colts Over 13.5 Interceptions

• 14 INTs in 2025
• Healthy Gardner-Ward Combination
• Cam Bynum Returns After Four Picks

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Why the Over Is a Good Bet

Indianapolis intercepted 14 passes last season despite constant injury problems in the secondary.

Bynum returns after leading the team with four.

Gardner and Ward enter camp healthy together.

Haulcy arrives with 10 collegiate interceptions.

Better edge pressure could also increase turnover opportunities.

Quarterbacks facing Latu, Key and Buckner while simultaneously having to throw against Gardner and Ward may be forced into difficult decisions.

Fourteen interceptions only requires matching last season.

Fifteen cashes the Over.

That is achievable.

Why the Under Is a Good Bet

Gardner’s greatness can actually work against interception props.

Quarterbacks may simply refuse to challenge him.

Ward can produce similar respect.

Anarumo could therefore have an outstanding coverage defense without generating an enormous number of interceptions.

The Colts also lost Nick Cross, who produced an interception last season, and Latu’s three interceptions from defensive end are extremely unlikely to repeat.

Three picks from one defensive lineman is a statistical outlier.

If those disappear, other defenders must replace them.

Projection: 14-17 Interceptions

Bet: Over 13.5 Interceptions

Confidence: 7/10

Prop Bet #4: Indianapolis Colts Under 23.5 Points Allowed Per Game

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Indianapolis Colts Under 23.5 Points Allowed Per Game

• Elite Cornerback Duo
• Strong Run-Defense Foundation
• Second Year in Lou Anarumo System

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Why the Under Is a Good Bet

Indianapolis allowed 24.2 points per game last season.

The Colts don’t need a massive transformation to move below 23.5.

They need modest improvement.

There are legitimate reasons to expect it.

Gardner and Ward are finally healthy simultaneously.

Latu is improving.

Key adds another edge defender.

Buckner and Stewart return.

Bynum provides veteran stability.

And Anarumo enters Year 2 with substantially more defensive personnel capable of executing his complicated coverage system.

The run defense already had a strong foundation at 3.9 yards allowed per rushing attempt.

If the passing defense improves, the scoring average should follow.

Why the Over Is a Good Bet

The schedule provides immediate problems.

Indianapolis opens against Baltimore.

Week 2 is at Kansas City.

Houston follows.

The Colts later face Washington in London, Minnesota, Dallas, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Jacksonville twice.

There are several dangerous quarterbacks and offenses on that schedule.

The linebacker transition is another concern.

Franklin is gone.

Cross is gone.

Haulcy is a rookie.

Allen is a rookie.

One communication mistake against Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes can become a touchdown.

The defense may also require several weeks before its new middle-of-the-field personnel completely understand Anarumo’s system.

Projection: 21-23 Points Allowed Per Game

Bet: Under 23.5 Points Allowed Per Game

Confidence: 7.5/10

Best Indianapolis Colts 2026 Defensive Prop Bet

Indianapolis Over 34.5 team sacks is my favorite defensive wager.

The 2025 baseline was only 29.

But Latu’s progression gives Indianapolis an obvious candidate to create more.

He produced 8.5 sacks and 61 pressures last season.

Key adds proven production.

Buckner remains one of the NFL’s most accomplished interior pass rushers.

Adebawore already recorded four sacks last year.

Tuimoloau should improve in Year 2.

And Curry arrives after recording 11 sacks during his final Ohio State season.

Indianapolis doesn’t need 50 sacks.

Thirty-five cashes this benchmark.

My projection is 37-42.

That makes the Over my strongest Colts defensive prop.

How the Indianapolis Defense Could Determine the 2026 Season

The current Indianapolis regular-season win total is 7.5 victories at BetMGM, with the Over priced at -135 and the Under at +110 as of August 3.

That is an intriguing number for a team that finished 8-9 after starting 8-2.

The collapse dramatically changed how the market views Indianapolis.

But the Colts weren’t a conventional eight-win team.

They scored 466 points.

They began the season with one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses.

And they finished nearly three victories below their expected-win mark, according to the BetMGM analysis.

The biggest issue entering 2026 may be Daniel Jones’ recovery from his Achilles injury.

The biggest defensive issue is whether Indianapolis can replace Franklin and Cross quickly.

The schedule doesn’t provide a gentle introduction.

Week 1: Baltimore.

Week 2: at Kansas City.

Week 3: Houston.

Week 4: Washington in London.

Then Pittsburgh.

Tennessee.

Minnesota.

Jacksonville.

Dallas.

Miami.

Houston again.

The late season isn’t easy either.

Philadelphia.

Cincinnati.

Cleveland.

Jacksonville.

That schedule will stress every level of the defense.

Baltimore will test the run fits.

Kansas City will test communication.

Houston will test the secondary.

Washington can stress linebackers with quarterback mobility.

Philadelphia will attack physically.

Cincinnati can test Gardner and Ward downfield.

Those matchups are exactly why Indianapolis paid an enormous price for Gardner.

Elite corners matter when you face elite quarterbacks.

My projection is 9-8, putting Indianapolis Over the current 7.5-win benchmark.

The defense is the biggest reason.

If Indianapolis can move from approximately 24 points allowed per game toward 21 or 22, that is potentially worth multiple victories.

Conclusion

The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 NFL season with a defense that possesses both legitimate high-end talent and significant uncertainty.

The 2025 unit wasn’t terrible.

It also wasn’t good enough.

Indianapolis allowed 24.2 points per game and 5,947 total yards while finishing with only 29 sacks.

The run defense provided the strongest foundation.

Opponents averaged only 3.9 yards per rushing attempt.

The passing defense was much more problematic.

Injuries prevented Indianapolis from getting the full benefit of its enormous investment at cornerback.

Gardner and Ward played just one complete game together after the Gardner trade.

Now both are healthy.

That could transform the defense.

Sauce Gardner is a two-time First-Team All-Pro and former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Charvarius Ward has already produced a 23-pass-defense, five-interception NFL season.

Cam Bynum returns after recording four interceptions in his first Indianapolis season.

The pass rush has similar upside.

Laiatu Latu jumped from four sacks as a rookie to 8.5 in Year 2 and generated 61 pressures.

Arden Key brings 30.5 career sacks.

DeForest Buckner remains one of the NFL’s most accomplished interior pass rushers.

Adetomiwa Adebawore produced four sacks last season.

And rookies Curry and Gumbs add more developmental upside.

The concern is the middle.

Franklin leaves 125 tackles and 1,112 defensive snaps behind.

Cross leaves 120 tackles and another 1,111 snaps.

Those losses can’t be dismissed.

Indianapolis is placing significant responsibility on two rookies.

CJ Allen must become the linebacker capable of organizing Anarumo’s front.

A.J. Haulcy must translate his 10 career collegiate interceptions and extensive starting experience into NFL production.

There will probably be growing pains.

But the supporting cast is strong enough to survive them.

My projection has Indianapolis allowing approximately 21-23 points and 320-335 total yards per game, while generating 37-42 sacks, 14-17 interceptions and 23-27 total takeaways.

That would represent meaningful improvement.

It could also be enough to return Indianapolis to the postseason.

From a betting perspective, my strongest defensive play is Colts Over 34.5 team sacks.

Latu is trending toward double digits.

Key provides established pressure.

Buckner can collapse the pocket.

Tuimoloau has another developmental year.

And Indianapolis added multiple young rushers through the draft.

The most important veteran may be Gardner.

The most important young player may be Latu.

The biggest rookie responsibility belongs to Allen.

And the biggest wild card may be Haulcy.

If Gardner and Ward stay healthy, Latu becomes a double-digit sack player, Buckner and Stewart continue controlling the interior and Allen and Haulcy successfully replace the communication and production lost with Franklin and Cross, the Indianapolis Colts should field a significantly improved defense in Lou Anarumo’s second season — one capable of pushing the Colts beyond their 7.5-win expectation and back into the AFC playoff race.