The Indianapolis Colts practically made the postseason of their first season underneath head coach Shane Steichen regardless of shedding rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson early within the yr. Now, armed with well being and offseason upgrades, they appear primed to recover from the postseason.
Listed below are essentially the most beneficial Colts for the 2024 season.
5. Defensive deal with DeForest Buckner
Buckner is invaluable to the Colts protection, offering very important veteran management and producing on the sphere. Getting into his fifth season in Indianapolis, the 30-year-old has been a mannequin of consistency, which helps set the tone for the unit.
Since becoming a member of the Colts in 2020, Buckner averaged eight sacks (32.5), 22 QB hits (87), 10.5 tackles for loss (42) and 10.5 tackles for loss (42) a season. In the meantime, he is additionally stayed wholesome, enjoying 16 video games in every of the final three campaigns.
4. Operating again Jonathan Taylor
This time a yr in the past, Taylor’s days as a member of the Colts appeared quantity. Nevertheless, after starting the 2023 marketing campaign on the PUP checklist, an settlement on a three-year, $42M deal in October signaled a long-term future.
The 25-year-old arrived at camp blissful and wholesome this yr, setting the stage for a rebound marketing campaign after scuffling with accidents over the previous two seasons. Likewise, Taylor and second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson have solely shared the sphere for 10 common season snaps heading into 2024, opening up a boatload of prospects for the previous All-Professional.
3. Head coach Shane Steichen
In 2023, Steichen proved able to navigating via challenges after main the Colts to a 9-8 end regardless of shedding quarterback Anthony Richardson solely 5 weeks into the season. With a season underneath his belt, 2024 might be an enormous yr for the second-year head coach.
Underneath Steichen, the Colts offense jumped from twenty seventh to fifteenth, and there is purpose to consider they will solely enhance, particularly with Richarson again. Historical past reveals the top coach can assist gifted quarterbacks attain one other degree, having overseen breakout years of Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts whereas serving as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.
2. Large receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
With plenty of star energy at wideout all through the AFC South, Pittman typically will get misplaced within the shuffle. Nevertheless, his significance to the Colts is just about unmatched.
Taking part in most of 2023 with a backup quarterback, Pittman had arguably his greatest season. After recording career-highs in yards (1,152) and receptions (109), 2024 might be one other breakout season for the fifth-year wideout.
In the meantime, Pittman shall be much more beneficial to the Colts with Josh Downs out for the foreseeable future, nursing a high-ankle sprain.
1. Quarterback Anthony Richardson
For the Colts to achieve success, Richardson is the piece that should match. After being restricted to simply 173 snaps as a rookie, expectations are excessive coming into his second NFL marketing campaign, however the 2023 fourth-overall has all of the instruments to fulfill them.
Richardson supplied an appetizer of his skillset and was seemingly rising somewhat extra every recreation earlier than taking place with a season-ending shoulder damage in Week 5. By means of the air, he was environment friendly (59.5 completion proportion), recording 577 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception whereas showcasing an incredible influence on the bottom, speeding for 136 yards (5.44 (YPC) with 4 scores.
Well being is the highest concern for Richardson, and regardless of the crew’s success final season, shedding him once more would probably spell doom for his or her playoff hopes.
