D-Fo continues to be one of the Colts best players, and PFF recently recognized him for it league-wide.
According to PFF, Indianapolis Colts veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is among their ‘Top 30 players over the age of 30’—coming in at 23rd overall:
23. DI Deforest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
Buckner continued to anchor the Colts’ interior defense in 2024. Despite missing five games due to injury, he posted an 81.9 PFF grade, the second-highest of his career. It marked his third straight season with a grade above 81.8, showing little sign of decline heading into his age-31 campaign.
Still 31-years-young, Buckner has consistently been the Colts most valuable player on the defensive side of the football since his arrival via a trade with San Francisco in 2020.
After suffering a severe ankle sprain, Buckner missed 6 starts early on last season, but still recorded 61 tackles (24 solo), 8 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 35 QB pressures, and a pass defensed during 12 games (11 starts) during the 2024 campaign.
Per PFF, he was their 7th best graded interior defender with a +81.9 overall grade.
The Colts signed Buckner to a 2-year, $46 million contract extension last spring, which will have him under contract in Indianapolis through the 2026 season.
Given how well Buckner keeps himself in top physical shape, consistent high level of production, and durability—having otherwise made 16 starts in three straight seasons prior to 2024, and he should be a mainstay on this PFF list for at least a couple of more seasons.
