Colts bring back veteran DT to crowded D-line
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts have spent most of free agency bringing back their own players so far, locking up everybody from critical pieces like Michael Pittman Jr. to veterans who did not play much in 2023.
Indianapolis kept another Colt around on Tuesday, signing defensive tackle Taven Bryan to a one-year deal, a league source told IndyStar.
Financial details of the contract were not immediately available.
The return of Bryan is interesting because Indianapolis has already invested a two-year deal and $7 million guaranteed in Dolphins defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, a player who seemed ticketed for the 343 snaps Bryan played in Indianapolis last season.
The presence of Davis likely means that Bryan is facing a much more difficult competition for playing time in 2024.
Bryan, 28, played a complementary role for the Colts last season, making 22 tackles, two sacks and forcing a fumble for Indianapolis. Brought in to take some of the snaps off workhorse star DeForest Buckner, Bryan ended up spending some time at nose tackle during Grover Stewart’s six-game suspension, a role that does not fit Bryan’s strengths as a penetrator and pass rusher.
The team’s free agent investment in Davis appeared to fill that role in the Indianapolis defense. Davis has averaged more than 500 snaps for the Dolphins the past four seasons, and the Colts believe the mammoth nose tackle will fit in the penetrating Indianapolis front as well or better than he did in Mami.
Bryan will have to compete with Davis, and likely with third-year defensive tackle Eric Johnson, for snaps. Johnson played 265 snaps for the Colts in his second season in Indianapolis last year, seeing most of those snaps during Stewart’s suspension. Johnson made 15 tackles and one sack in 2023.
If the Colts are bringing back Bryan to play his original role, as a quick, penetrating defensive tackle with passrush ability, he should have more competition from 2023 fourth-round pick Adetomiwa Adebawore, another 3technique tackle. Adebawore recorded 1.5 sacks and five quarterback pressures in 132 snaps for Indianapolis last season; Bryan produced two sacks and 10 quarterback pressures in more than double the playing time, although Bryan saw more time on run downs.
Indianapolis has now brought back nine of its free agents this offseason — Pittman Jr., Stewart, cornerback Kenny Moore II, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, punter Rigoberto Sanchez, linebacker/safety Ronnie Harrison, running back Trey Sermon, defensive end Genard Avery and Bryan.
Only four Colts free agents — quarterback Gardner Minshew (Raiders), running back Zack Moss (Bengals), wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (Giants) and defensive end Jake Martin (Bears) — have signed elsewhere.
That leaves just one free Indianapolis free agents still available on the open market. Starting strong safety Julian Blackmon reportedly visited the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday.