Every offseason, players, coaches, front office executives, player evaluators and members of the media take time to rank the 100 best players from the previous NFL season. It’s a list which is almost never universally agreed upon, and always has an abundance of snubs.
Among those snubbed from ESPN’s list is Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, according to player evaluators who identified the players left off the list who were most deserving of a spot.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes Buckner still flies under the radar, even at 31 years old.
“Consistently one of the game's most underrated players, Buckner -- one of three DTs on the snubs last after six made the top 100 -- keeps producing. Despite missing five games last year, Buckner averaged 0.54 sacks per game, his best clip since 2020. The Colts defensive attack still starts and stops with Buckner, whose 16.4 pass-rush win rate was among the best for defensive tackles.”
One talent evaluator compared Buckner to Calais Campbell due to their shared length, high motor and ability to play beyond their years.
Buckner, who’s no stranger to not receiving his flowers from those outside the immediate Indianapolis market, continues to be a reliable impact player on the interior. The lack of praise only fuels his fire, a fire which must burn bright if the Colts are to return to the postseason in 2025.
Buckner was the only Colts player listed by Fowler and NFL personnel as a snub from the original 100, which did feature two key pieces from Indianapolis.