Among the numerous additions that the Indianapolis Colts have made in free agency, GM Chris Ballard boosted the defensive tackle depth by signing Derrick Nnadi.
So what can Nnadi add to the Colts’ defensive tackle position group?
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Nnadi has spent the last eight seasons in Kansas City and has been a part of multiple Super Bowl teams. After playing over 500 snaps in all but one season from 2018 to 2023, Nnadi is averaging just shy of 300 snaps per season over the last two years.
He brings an added run-stuffing presence to the Colts’ defensive front, spending his career lining up in either the A or B gaps. In this role, Nnadi isn’t going to log a bunch of quarterback pressures, but his presence can clog up running lanes and free up others to make plays with the space he eats up and blockers he takes on.
“Chop wood, carry water,” Nnadi said of his role, via Colts.com. “No matter what goes on, just keep doing what you’re doing. Another phrase I always tell myself (is) be where your feet are, and just keep focusing on what’s important now. Regardless of if things are going right or wrong, as long as I stay consistent in what I have to do, things are always going to turn around the way they need to be.”
Nnadi signed a one-year, $1.48 million deal to join the Colts. At that contract value, he is not a lock to make the 53-man roster. But ideally, he can boost the Colts’ rotational run defense depth behind Grover Stewart.
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With Colby Wooden not playing nose tackle, as he did in Green Bay, Nnadi — as of now — may be the next man up behind Stewart for that run-first role.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: How Derrick Nnadi can give Colts’ defense a boost
