Colts Early Season report card

Jones is giving the Colts precisely what they wanted, and much more, from the quarterback place. He’s finishing a excessive share of his passes, with a 71.3% completion fee, protecting the ball shifting, taking wonderful care of the soccer with only a turnover-worthy play fee of two.8%, and consistently hitting the open man. Indiana Jones is having fun with a profession resurgence with a wonderful supporting forged round him, and away from the blinding New York highlight. The Colts’ entrance workplace ought to already begin determining a contract that retains him right here.

Main the league in whole touchdowns and speeding yards, Jonathan Taylor is having fun with the most effective begin to a season in his total profession. He’s an MVP candidate at this level, and the largest motive why the Colts offense is dominating. He has additionally improved quite a bit in each move safety, posting an 84.9 pass-blocking grade in response to PFF.com, and catching balls out of the backfield, including 16 receptions for 133 yards and a landing, already equaling what he did final season. There’s nothing extra you might ask from a working again that Taylor just isn’t already wonderful at.

Extensive receivers / Tight ends: B +

Michael Pittman Jr. can be having fun with the most effective begin to a season in his profession, particularly concerning the scoring space, the place, via simply 5 video games, he’s two touchdowns away from his profession excessive. MPJ is a a lot better match with a quarterback like Daniel Jones, and he has established himself as his favorite pink zone goal. Alec Pierce has missed two video games with a concussion, however earlier than that he was nonetheless getting used because the deep risk within the offense, averaging 19 yards per catch. Josh Downs had his finest sport in opposition to the Raiders, and is wonderful at shifting the chains, all the time an necessary high quality for a receiver. The one disappointment on this group has been Adonai Mitchell, who within the sport in opposition to the Rams value the workforce the win after inexplicably dropping a ball earlier than scoring, after which drawing a holding flag that negated what would have been a 53-yard landing run by JT.

Tyler Warren leads all NFL tight ends in receiving yards, is second in first downs, and ranks eighth in run-blocking for tight ends with greater than 50% of attainable snaps. There’s not way more you’ll be able to ask from him, particularly protecting in thoughts that tight ends often battle a bit popping out of school. For comparisons sake, Colston Loveland via three video games has simply amassed 3 receptions for 43 yards.

The offensive line has been strong for the Colts as soon as once more, with two new starters in Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves. From left to proper, Bernhard Raimann has continued his emergence as a high left deal with within the NFL, although he did battle in opposition to the Rams however general has had a extremely good 12 months. Quenton Nelson has missed a step in pass-blocking, however continues to be an elite run blocker and the Colts use him in inventive methods getting him in area in opposition to cornerbacks. Tanor Bortolini has been unspectacular however mistake free. His smaller body means he typically will get overpowered in pass-protection, however he has been among the many finest facilities run blocking. Matt Goncalves has been the largest shock this season, maybe the most effective offensive lineman of the workforce up to now, and his significance was highlighted on the sport he missed in opposition to the Rams. Braden Smith has been common, which is okay.

The most important beneficiaries from Lou Anarumo because the defensive coordinator, the line of defense has been way more productive speeding the passer. Laiatu Latu has been enjoying effectively, and has now two interceptions together with 16 whole pressures via simply 4 video games. Stewart and Buckner have been nearly as good as they’ve been the previous three seasons, no surprises there. The issue maybe has been the opposing finish. Kwity Paye is an okay run-defender, however a non-factor in opposition to the move, with simply 6 whole pressures on 110 move speeding reps. Samson Ebukam continues to be getting his rythm again after an Achilles tear final season, and rookie J.T. Tuimoloau has been a wholesome scratch greater than half the video games.

Neville Gallimore and Adetomiwa Adebawore have each been surprisingly productive this season, and Tyquan Lewis continues being an underrated rotational linemen that persistently contributes, main the workforce in sacks up to now.

I’ve been very crucial of him, however Zaire Franklin has adjusted effectively to Anarumo’s scheme. I believed he was going to get uncovered quite a bit, however he has been strong in opposition to the run, whereas not a whole legal responsibility overlaying tight ends and working backs. He’s nonetheless a step sluggish in pass-coverage, and doesn’t create turnovers, however he’s not the explanation why the Colts’ linebacker group will get such a low grade. That’s on Joe Bachie, who was introduced in due to his expertise with Anarumo. He has been sub-par in move protection, a legal responsibility in opposition to the run, and no explosive performs (no pressured fumbles, fumble recoveries, sacks, interceptions, or tackles for loss). Bachie has been the definition of Only a Man, and the Colts should be taking a look at upgrades right here if they’re severe about contending.

Camryn Bynum and Charvarius “Mooney” Ward have each been impeccable additions to the secondary, with each being nearly as good as marketed, Ward maybe much more. Together with them, younger security Nick Cross took one other step ahead after a breakout season final 12 months, slot cornerback Kenny Moore was his ordinary self earlier than an Achilles damage pressured him to overlook some video games.

Talking of accidents, that has been an enormous a part of the Colts’ secondary this season. Rookie Justin Walley will miss the whole season, #2 nook Jaylon Jones was positioned on IR coping with a hamstring damage, and Moore’s substitute Mike Hilton is now on the damage report coping with a shoulder problem. Xavien Howard, who was introduced in after Jones went down, was so dangerous that he retired after simply 4 begins. In Mekhi Blackmon and UDFA Johnathan Edwards the Colts are hoping to search out a minimum of one thing serviceable till Jones is able to return.

Spencer Shrader’s damage sucks as a result of he was precisely what the Colts wanted from their kicker: automated below 50 yards. He was even coming off the longest make of his profession, and kicked a game-winner in opposition to the Broncos. There’s not a lot we will say about Rigoberto Sanchez, as a result of he has simply 7 punts, the least within the NFL. Kickoff protection has been common.

Steichen’s seat was among the many hottest within the NFL to kick off the season, and when he made the choice to start out Daniel Jones over Richardson I’ll admit I used to be fuming. The Colts are #1 within the NFL, however it isn’t solely their report, is how they acquired there: dominating the “dangerous” opponents (Dolphins, Titans, Raiders), whereas additionally enjoying higher than strong opposition (Broncos, Rams). The explanation for the A – is due to two points I’ve with the teaching employees. The primary was the conservative play-calling in opposition to the Broncos on the ultimate drive of the sport, the place the Colts had been pressured to kick a subject aim over 60 yards, method out of Shrader’s vary, after Steichen ran the ball three consecutive instances, gaining no yards. The 15-yard flag ended up giving the Colts one other probability, which Shrader ended up making, bailing out Steichen. The second is how Anarumo dealt with Puka Nacua in opposition to the Rams. Even considering that sure gamers like Nacua you’ll be able to solely hope to include, having Xavien Howard, who retired after the sport, on an island a number of instances in opposition to a receiver of that caliber was a catastrophe ready to occur.