Analyzing the Colts’ Depth Chart – Offense

Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, Jason Bean

Although veteran Daniel Jones was signed in free-agency, that is nonetheless Anthony Richardson’s job to lose. Now coming into his third season as a professional, it’s principally do or die for him because the potential Colts’ franchise quarterback. He has to step up each on the enjoying area and off of it too, ensuring his work ethic and management go away nothing to be questioned. He additionally faces the tall activity of not lacking any video games on account of damage. If Anthony Richardson manages to turn out to be a constant starter, then the Colts’ offense shall be close to unstoppable, however it’s considerably complicated as a result of Richardson’s skillset is a lot better fitted to a gunslinger strategy, whereas this offense appears made for a “game-manager” sort of quarterback, however that is a matter for an additional article. Backup Daniel Jones is basically laborious to evaluate, a former 1st spherical decide that by no means actually developed right into a serviceable NFL quarterback, over his previous 16 begins Jones has thrown for 2979 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He was launched after ten begins final season, earlier than spending a while within the Vikings’ observe squad.

Riley Leonard was drafted to switch Sam Ehlinger because the younger third possibility. Will probably be very fascinating watching Leonard play in preseason, as a result of whereas he’s technically the third quarterback on the depth chart, the fellows above him have loads of historical past both with accidents or being benched/demoted to scout staff’s security. Nevertheless, which may not be for the very best as Leonard may actually use one or two seasons to proceed his growth.

Working backs

Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens, Tyler Goodson

Comeback season for Jonathan Taylor, who had an incredible second half final yr, save for that dropped landing in opposition to the Broncos that one may argue was maybe the worst play in current Colts’ historical past given the context of the sport. Leaving that out, JT hit his stride the ultimate three video games of the yr, with a mixed 520 yards and 6 touchdowns. With him the Colts have their workhorse again and undisputed starter.

Herbert and Giddens are each an enchancment over final season’s backup Trey “Yard-per-carry” Sermon, with Goodson serving because the pass-catching specialist (which is ironic as a result of he dropped the ball on the second worst play in Colts’ current historical past in opposition to the Texans on fourth down). Herbert was a really productive again his first three seasons within the NFL, and if JT misses a recreation it will likely be fascinating watching Giddens step up. I’d have preferred one other veteran on the place, as as soon as once more the Colts shall be relying totally on JT staying wholesome.

Tight ends

Tyler Warren, Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory

Warren one way or the other fell all the way in which to the Colts at #14, as Ballard managed to not solely fill the most important gap on the offense, but additionally get among the best general gamers on the draft class. He ought to step proper into the beginning job on the tight finish place, and hog many of the snaps and targets, the place final yr it was extra of a “tight finish by committee strategy”. He’s every part the Colts need from a good finish, and whereas 1st spherical picks at this place have been inconsistent the previous decade, I imagine Warren is correct behind Bowers on probably the most pro-ready prospects.

Jelani Woods is a mistery at this level, as he confirmed flashes his rookie season, earlier than a season ending damage on 2023, after which harmstring points stopping him from seeing the sphere in any respect final yr. If wholesome, Woods offers the Colts a large red-zone weapon and a succesful blocker, however he has not proven that capacity to be on the sphere but. Ogletree and Mallory are depth choices, and with Warren now on the staff they’ll almost definitely not get greater than the occasional goal right here and there subsequent season. Ogletree will in all probability see the sphere extra due to his blocking capacity.

Extensive receivers

Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould

MPJ would be the #1 receiver as soon as once more, coming off his worst yr since his rookie season numbers sensible, recording simply 69 catches for 808 yards and three touchdowns. There are a number of causes for such a marked dip in manufacturing, a again damage that just about landed him on IR, poor quarterback play, and fewer targets going his method.

Whereas Pittman struggled, Downs and Pierce had actually productive seasons. Taking on the #2 spot going through competitors from rookie AD Mitchell, Pierce established himself because the NFL’s finest deep menace, catching 37 passes for 824 yards and 7 touchdowns. His 22.3 yards per reception led the league by a large margin. Downs caught 72 passes for 803 yards and 5 touchdowns, despite the fact that he performed simply 602 snaps in comparison with MPJ’s 904 and Pierce’s 817.

As for the depth on the place, Adonai Mitchell had a disappointing rookie yr, as despite the fact that he obtained open quite a bit, he both dropped the ball, shied away from contact, or AR simply didn’t see him or flat out missed him. With Pierce’s emergence, Mitchell might want to step up his recreation and present why the Colts drafted him within the 2nd spherical. Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould will in all probability not see the sphere a lot saved for accidents on the place. Gould wants to point out much more explosiveness returning kickoffs and punts, as final yr he misplaced that job to Josh Downs.

Offensive line

Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Jalen Travis, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Josh Sills, Atonio Mafi

The group with probably the most turnover, the offensive line could have two new starters, and benefit from the return of proper deal with Braden Smith after having a while off to cope with private points. The left facet is locked up with rising elite deal with Bernhard Raimann, and All-Professional guard Quenton Nelson. After Ryan Kelly’s departure, second yr Tanor Bortolini is anticipated to take over full time on the place after spectacular play his rookie season when Kelly was out with damage. Matt Goncalves is at the moment projected as the brand new starter at proper guard, after enjoying effectively because the backup swing deal with final yr, Goncalves slides inside, the place it was projected he would find yourself enjoying after being drafted, subsequent to the aforementioned Braden Smith. That may be a actually strong line on paper, and with everybody healhty among the many prime 8-12 strains within the NFL.

As for the depth of this line, it will get a bit difficult. Blake Freeland is anticipated to compete with 4th spherical decide Jalen Travis for the backup swing deal with place, so we must wait at the least till coaching camp to get some readability there. Freeland was dangerous when enjoying his rookie yr, however he did need to go up in opposition to some robust pass-rushers so he will get a move for now. Even when Travis loses the battle, he may nonetheless turn out to be a depth possibility on the within, the place the Colts are realy skinny. Dalton Tucker was so dangerous final season at proper guard that the Colts ended up selecting veteran Mark Glowinski off the road and enjoying him. Danny Pinter is a considerably serviceable backup at heart, simply don’t ask him to play proper guard, which leaves him to battle it out with Wesley French for that heart backup spot. Josh Sills has virtually no enjoying expertise, and Atonio Mafi final performed in 2023, being amost the worst guards within the NFL in keeping with .