Jerry Tillery

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		113	14.0	194	17
2025		17	1.5	20	1
2024		17	0.0	28	5.5
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Among defensive tackle contracts at this AAV tier, Jerry Tillery earns a C+ Contract Value Index. At $1.49M on a one-year deal, Tillery's price point reflects exactly what he is: a depth piece on a prove-it opportunity, not a reclamation project with star upside. His 2025 season production—20 tackles and 1.5 sacks across 17 games—aligns with a B- performance grade and slots him squarely in the solid-rotation category rather than the disruptive interior pass rusher his 2019 first-round pedigree once promised. At 29 with seven seasons in the league, Tillery is a veteran fighting to stabilize his career after durability and consistency concerns derailed him in Kansas City and Las Vegas, making a short-term, sub-$1.5M commitment the only prudent move for Indianapolis; there is no dead cap trap, no multi-year anchor, just a one-year gamble. The Colts' broader offseason pattern—methodical depth signings across the line and secondary rather than blockbuster upgrades—positions Tillery as part of organizational roster construction, not a transformational move, which matches the divided fanbase sentiment: some view him as a shrewd flyer on talent, others as roster filler unlikely to meaningfully impact the Colts' 8-9 playoff standing. The CVI reflects the reality that this deal works only if Indianapolis's coaching staff can unlock consistency he failed to demonstrate elsewhere, but at this price, the downside is capped and the opportunity genuine.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Jerry's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Jerry Tillery is a seven-year veteran defensive tackle now in his age-29 season with the Indianapolis Colts, tasked with anchoring the interior defensive line. The former first-round prospect has compiled 113 career games and established himself as a rotational presence in the trenches. His current B-minus grade reflects an established player whose production has notably declined from prior seasons. Tillery's 2025 metrics reveal significant struggles across the board. He's averaging 0.09 sacks per game against an NFL average of 0.14, while his tackle rate of 1.18 per contest trails the league average of 1.82 considerably. Most concerning is his near-complete absence as a pass-rush threat: 0.12 QB hits per game sits well below the 0.29 NFL average, and his 0.06 tackles for loss per game ranks among the weakest interior defensive line contributors. These numbers suggest he's become a depth option rather than an impact defender. The troubling trajectory compounds the concern. Tillery has posted grades of D-plus in both 2023 and 2024 before dropping to D-minus in 2025, signaling a consistent downward trend rather than a single-season aberration. At 29 years old with declining production metrics, his path forward is limited. The Colts may view him as a veteran reserve, but his inability to generate consistent pressure or make tackles suggests his best leverage as a two-down run-stopper has eroded. Monitoring whether Indianapolis seeks defensive line upgrades this offseason will indicate their confidence level moving forward.

How Jerry Compares at the Position

Jerry Tillery ranks 67th of 217 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Jerry between Isaiah Raikes (B-) just ahead and Deone Walker (B-) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Colts add depth to defensive line with proven rotational contributor Jerry Tillery. Media coverage suggests routine free agent signing with moderate impact potential. Tillery's injury history and inconsistent production remain concerning factors here. Fans view this as solid depth move but not a game-changer defensively. Indianapolis hopes Tillery provides useful rotation help without major financial commitment.