The 2024 season marked the most successful of his career. Starting in 15 games, the linebacker finished with 142 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, one quarterback hit, one interception, five passes defended, and a 56.7 PFF grade, ranking 67th out of 84 eligible players. While Speed delivered solid play at the center of the defense, it wasn’t enough to push the Indianapolis Colts into the playoffs.
He was drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. A product of Tarleton State, Speed needed time to make an impact in the league. In his rookie season, he appeared in 12 games, totaling just seven tackles and one tackle-for-loss.
The 2020 season saw little change for him, as he spent most of the year on the bench. However, the Colts made the playoffs that season with veteran Philip Rivers at the helm. Unfortunately, their postseason run was short-lived, ending with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
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Despite a slow start, Speed began to see more playing time in the third year of his rookie contract. While he wasn’t yet a full-time starter, he played a larger role, finishing the 2021 season with 41 tackles and one pass defended. His growth continued in 2022, as he recorded one sack, 63 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and one quarterback hit.
In the 2023 offseason, the Colts re-signed Speed to a two-year contract. Finally starting regularly, Speed posted one sack, 102 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss, and two quarterback hits in 16 games.
Since entering the league, E.J. Speed has accumulated two sacks, 354 tackles, 27 tackles-for-loss, and four quarterback hits.
