<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3kJ810_0uKm55hf00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3kJ810_0uKm55hf00" width="912" height="513" ><figcaption>Indianapolis Colts defensive end Samson Ebukam (52) walks the sidelines Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. | Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY </figcaption></figure> Last season the <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/team/indianapolis-colts" rel="nofollow"> Indianapolis Colts </a> acquired then-free agent defensive end <a href="https://www.colts.com/team/players-roster/samson-ebukam/" rel="nofollow"> Samson Ebukam </a> for three years, $24 million (per <a href="https://overthecap.com/" rel="nofollow"> Over The Cap </a> ) . At first glance, this didn't seem like much of a signing for Indianapolis. Before 2023, Ebukam was mostly a rotational defensive end for the <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/team/los-angeles-rams" rel="nofollow"> Los Angeles Rams </a> and <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/team/san-francisco-49ers" rel="nofollow"> San Francisco 49ers </a> , acquiring 23.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, eight fumbles forced, and a defensive touchdown through six seasons. While these numbers aren't earth-shattering, Ebukam had to play alongside elite-level talent throughout his first six years on the West Coast. This relegated him to more of a situational pass-rusher than a solidified starter. But when he was on the field the talent was easy to spot and Indianapolis took notice. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Ebukam used his opportunity with Indianapolis to show he's a better talent than anyone outside the Colts organization thought. Ebukam had a career year, notching 9.5 sacks (led the team), 57 tackles (10 for loss), three forced fumbles, and 48 quarterback pressures, per <a href="https://www.pff.com/" rel="nofollow"> Pro Football Focus </a> . Others around the NFL world have taken notice of Ebukam, including Tyler Sullivan of <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/" rel="nofollow"> CBS Sports </a> . Sullivan believes Ebukam to be the <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/underappreciated-players-on-every-afc-team-2024-evan-engram-raheem-mostert-headline-list/" rel="nofollow"> most underappreciated player for the Colts </a> and explains why. <blockquote>Ebukam proved to be a heck of a find for the Colts last offseason and an ideal replacement for&nbsp;Yannick Ngakoue&nbsp;along Indy's defensive line. The veteran mirrored his sack totals with a team-leading 9.5 in 2023 (a career-high) and also finished the year with 57 tackles, 17 quarterback hits three forced fumbles. In a defense that features&nbsp;DeForest Buckner,&nbsp;Kwity Paye, and first-round rookie&nbsp;Laiatu Latu, don't sleep on Ebukam. <cite> Tyler Sullivan | CBS Sports </cite></blockquote><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate><a href="https://e170fb0b.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAICNAu0H8wSN4H1m5FuyDATh3LO_F1R6XRr6nsHBsDGG1KKyS1VK4kZ44Hkho1EN_WlSSorc__eG0SxW_LKJi5dFyYrvAD1FcaYYZ54mSOv3YEFCFJqZvClMnzZ5t--EofLWL5qOopqOTSs7midxJiwg8MGa2VdrrzHGLx8O7tJvsGu6Ty-VHS_hnJv7i0KTdn9lyq11MJAy" rel="nofollow"> What happens next for the Colts? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily! </a> Ebukam is approaching 30 years old (29 currently) and will be entering his eighth NFL season. But he's shown no signs of regressing and won't back off just because the Colts drafted <a href="https://www.colts.com/team/players-roster/laiatu-latu/" rel="nofollow"> Laiatu Latu </a> in round one. There's even a possibility that Ebukam thrives further with another potential solid pass-rusher like Latu on the defensive front, especially if Latu develops quickly and adjusts to the NFL level of offensive lines. But it's unavoidable to say that Latu being drafted so high (15th overall; top defender selected in 2024 class) puts every other pass rusher on Indy's roster on notice to step up their game, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-most-prove-2024-jelani-woods-ebukam" rel="nofollow"> Ebukam included </a> . <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> As 2024's opening kickoff gets closer, we'll see how Ebukam adjusts to Latu residing in his position group and a new coach directing things in Charlie Partridge. Ebukam could just be scratching the surface of what he can accomplish with the Colts, it will be exciting to see how the veteran performs in 2024 with a great supporting cast around him. <hr> Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@horseshoehuddle" rel="nofollow"> Horseshoe Huddle Podcast </a> ! <div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3sGPIPfe4cw?feature=oembed" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Follow Horseshoe Huddle on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Horseshoe-Huddle-Indianapolis-Colts-Coverage-on-SI-104273281726901" rel="nofollow"> Facebook </a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ColtsOnFN" rel="nofollow"> X </a> ; subscribe on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@horseshoehuddle" rel="nofollow"> YouTube </a> for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week. This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/colts as <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/cbs-sports-colts-most-underappreciated-samson-ebukam?utm_source=RSS" rel="nofollow"> CBS Sports Reveals Colts Most Underappreciated Player for 2024 </a> . </div></body>

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CBS Sports Reveals Colts Most Underappreciated Player for 2024

The Indianapolis Colts have a defensive leader being overlooked for the 2024 season.

CBS Sports Reveals Colts Most Underappreciated Player for 2024

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