by Scott Kacsmar

While answering questions for our upcoming Q&A's with SB Nation, a question about the Colts gave me a chance to dig deeper into a stat from FOA 2015. The 2014 Colts only had 15.3 percent of their defensive snaps come from players they drafted. That's a very low number, but how does it compare to other teams? I compiled the 2014 numbers for offense and defense. This does not include undrafted free agents.

Rk Offense Drafted Total Drafted% Rk Defense Drafted Total Drafted% 1 GB 10,886 11,550 94.3% 1 MIN 9,233 11,900 77.6% 2 PIT 10,327 12,221 84.5% 2 STL 8,469 11,517 73.5% 3 CIN 9,171 11,682 78.5% 3 SEA 7,329 10,756 68.1% 4 SF 8,448 11,638 72.6% 4 GB 8,103 12,021 67.4% 5 DAL 8,407 11,649 72.2% 5 PIT 7,214 10,889 66.3% 6 HOU 8,574 12,197 70.3% 6 TEN 7,853 12,547 62.6% 7 MIA 8,448 12,045 70.1% 7 SD 7,207 11,529 62.5% 8 PHI 8,173 12,936 63.2% 8 BAL 7,179 11,876 60.4% 9 ATL 7,449 11,886 62.7% 9 NE 6,919 11,979 57.8% 10 IND 7,463 12,705 58.7% 10 ATL 6,816 11,913 57.2% 11 SEA 6,784 11,638 58.3% 11 BUF 6,829 11,955 57.1% 12 NE 7,133 12,441 57.3% 12 WAS 6,460 11,362 56.9% 13 JAC 6,397 11,407 56.1% 13 NYJ 6,098 11,174 54.6% 14 MIN 6,200 11,252 55.1% 14 CAR 6,122 11,308 54.1% 15 DET 6,544 12,021 54.4% 15 ARI 6,303 11,649 54.1% 16 BAL 6,430 11,836 54.3% 16 CIN 6,537 12,352 52.9% Rk Offense Drafted Total Drafted% Rk Defense Drafted Total Drafted% 17 NO 6,803 12,540 54.3% 17 HOU 6,426 12,416 51.8% 18 KC 5,968 11,077 53.9% 18 DEN 5,973 11,892 50.2% 19 BUF 6,195 11,682 53.0% 19 OAK 6,164 12,275 50.2% 20 OAK 5,451 11,317 48.2% 20 PHI 6,365 12,738 50.0% 21 NYJ 5,541 11,966 46.3% 21 SF 5,674 11,516 49.3% 22 TEN 4,842 10,626 45.6% 22 CLE 6,083 12,807 47.5% 23 NYG 5,596 12,407 45.1% 23 MIA 5,461 11,637 46.9% 24 CLE 5,014 11,550 43.4% 24 CHI 5,233 11,461 45.7% 25 ARI 5,013 11,649 43.0% 25 DET 5,193 11,496 45.2% 26 WAS 4,725 11,593 40.8% 26 JAC 5,505 12,319 44.7% 27 STL 4,436 10,999 40.3% 27 TB 5,045 12,188 41.4% 28 DEN 4,824 12,408 38.9% 28 DAL 4,548 11,295 40.3% 29 CAR 4,672 12,143 38.5% 29 KC 4,551 11,671 39.0% 30 CHI 4,241 11,646 36.4% 30 NYG 4,407 11,590 38.0% 31 SD 3,583 11,737 30.5% 31 NO 4,479 11,792 38.0% 32 TB 2,437 10,924 22.3% 32 IND 1,764 11,538 15.3% - AVG 6,443 11,793 54.6% - AVG 6,173 11,792 52.3%

Note: the offenses had 10 more snaps than the defenses. Aside from potential data errors, my theory is there were as many as 10 plays where the defense only put 10 players on the field. Working on game charting the last few years, I have seen this happen.

Turns out the Colts were extremely low on the defensive side with not even half the percentage of the Saints and Giants above them. That's what happens when you keep drafting offensive players with premium picks and keep signing veterans in free agency on defense. The Colts had the oldest defense in the league by snap-weighted age last year. That's not likely to change in 2015. The Vikings and Rams have recently loaded up in the draft with a lot of high picks on defense, so it's not too surprising to see them at the top.

Offensively, we see two teams known for homegrown players (especially wide receivers) in Green Bay and Pittsburgh easily topping the list. It's also probably no coincidence Pittsburgh ranked first and Green Bay ranked third in offensive adjusted games lost in 2014. Unfortunately, after Sunday afternoon's bloodbath preseason game, both offenses have exceeded last year's AGL total with significant injuries to Jordy Nelson (torn ACL) and Maurkice Pouncey (broken ankle). The Nelson injury is still not likely going to change the distribution of drafted snaps. The Packers have drafted wide receivers Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery (rookie) and Jeff Janis. Pittsburgh will take a hit with Cody Wallace (fourth-round pick by 2008 49ers) taking over at center for Pouncey. Also, Le'veon Bell played the second-most snaps (927) of any running back in 2014. He'll serve a two-game suspension to start the season with veteran free agent DeAngelo Williams taking his place.

Tampa Bay's offense should see a boost from drafted players this year with Jameis Winston hoping to start his entire rookie season. He could have two rookies protecting him up front in left tackle Donovan Smith and right guard Ali Marpet. Also look for tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running backs Doug Martin and Charles Sims to factor in heavily this year.

Lastly, here is a look at the percentage of drafted snaps for offense and defense. The Packers and Steelers are the only teams that ranked in the top five on both sides of the ball, so naturally they lead the way here. The average team had 53.5 percent drafted snaps.