The Indianapolis Colts want to extend DeForest Buckner's contract, here's what that will cost them
Just about every top-tier defense in the NFL these days features at least one, if not more, premier pass rushing interior defensive lineman. And while the Colts just gave their run-stuffing nose tackle Grover Stewart a solid extension, it would be a good idea for them to also lock down their impressive pass rushing interior […]
Just about every top-tier defense in the NFL these days features at least one, if not more, premier pass rushing interior defensive lineman. And while the Colts just gave their run-stuffing nose tackle Grover Stewart a solid extension, it would be a good idea for them to also lock down their impressive pass rushing interior presence as well.
Acquired in a draft day trade back in 2020, the Colts have to consider their trade for DeForest Buckner a resounding success. Following the trade the team inked him to a four-year, $84 million extension. He has more than earned the sizable contract. Over the past four seasons Buckner has played in 66 games, starting 62 of them while racking up 281 tackles, 42 for a loss, 32.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 16 passes defensed.
Buckner has been able to keep up with some of the best pass rushing defensive tackles in the game while also dominating as an enforcer against the run. With 210 pressures and a pressure rate of 10.2% he is a consistent menace to opposing quarterbacks and has been the most effective pass rusher on the Colts defensive line. He has added to that 149 run defense stops.
Buckner has not finished worse than 12th in pressures in any season since joining the Colts. At 30 years old, Buckner should want to push for an extension this year.
Comparing Buckner’s production over these past four years with some of the other defensive tackles who have signed recently and he compares well.
Buckner ranks 2nd or 3rd in every category. What’s interesting is the similarities between Buckner and Leonard WIlliams. The two are close in total pressures and almost identical in pressure rate. But Buckner outpaces Leonard in sacks and defensive stops. Williams just re-signed with the Seahawks for three years and $64.5 million with almost $44 million fully guaranteed and an APY of $21.5 million. With Williams just a few months younger than Buckner that contract should serve as the floor for Buckner’s new deal.
With a similar number of defensive stops and sacks to Quinnen Williams and more pressures and a higher pressure rate Buckner could try to make a push for a deal similar to Q. Williams got $24 million APY over four years last year. At 10.7% of that year’s cap a commiserate deal this year would equal $27.25 million APY.
That APY would also put Buckner within spitting distance of Wilkins who trails Buckner in most of the above categories. The Colts would counter that Quinnen was several years younger than Buckner
The Colts would likely want to shorten Buckner’s extension from the four years Q and Wilkins got. I could see it only stretching two years on top of the 2024 he is already under contract for. Buckner shows no signs of slowing down and has an opportunity to take advantage of a position group that is on the rise.
