We are actually coming into essentially the most boring a part of the 12 months. No NFL content material in any respect, no NBA basketball to at the very least assist numb the boringness a bit, there’s simply nothing however ready (except you might be into baseball in fact). With that being stated, this time of the offseason at the very least supplies the chance to solid judgement on the issues the Colts did this offseason, and what I like, and don’t like in an upcoming article. Then, as soon as the season is over, we will come again right here and test whether or not or not what I stated was right or not. Only a disclaimer, there’s a large probability that I miss on a number of of the factors made on this articel. That’s the reason why I’m writing and never sitting in Chris Ballard’s chair.

Motive #1: Anthony Richardson

Athletic rookie quarterback who’s essentially the most gifted bodily specimen to ever play the quarterback place. In fact, AR5 additionally comes along with his fair proportion of query marks concerning accuracy, enjoying expertise, and lack of faculty manufacturing, however no matter occurs will probably be essentially the most thrilling participant the Colts ever had at quarterback. Even for this season, I’m not anticipating Richardson to be a Professional Bowl caliber quarterback in his first season, and I personally will simply be monitoring his growth and potential to make sport altering performs.

Motive #2: The event of the large receiver room

Broad receiver has been a place of want for the Colts for fairly a while now, as they hit solely on MPJ up to now, who has change into the group’s #1 receiver. Alec Pierce confirmed loads of promise his rookie season, and Anthony Richardson’s rocket arm suits his skillset significantly better than Matt Ryan or Sam Ehlinger. Then there’s additionally rookie Josh Downs, who together with free-agent signing Isaiah McKenzie, ought to assist fill the void left by Parris Campbell. It’ll even be fascinating to comply with the chemistry between Richardson and what might be his large receiver group for at the very least the primary 5 years of his profession.

Motive #3: Improvement of Kwity Paye / Dayo Odeyingbo

Each edge rushers have been thought-about uncooked when drafted, and Odeyingbo didn’t play a lot his rookie season due to a torn achilles. Now with each gamers coming into their third NFL season, there isn’t a time left for excuses, particularly with Paye, who struggled a bit with inconsistency final season. In right now’s day NFL you want to have the ability to strain opposing quarterbacks, so I will probably be following Paye and Odeyingbo intently subsequent 12 months.

Motive #4: Jonathan Taylor again to full well being

After a breakout 2021 season, the place he completed second in OPOY voting, JT struggled with an injured ankle and poor offensive efficiency general, posting below 900 speeding yards and simply 4 touchdowns. Now again at full well being, and with a brand new teaching employees, I’m actually excited for Taylor’s upcoming season.

Motive #5: Jelani Woods

Tight ends have a really steep studying curve within the NFL, maybe the steepest one apart from quarterback. Jelani Woods confirmed inmense potential when he performed, and has the potential to change into a premier tight finish within the league, standing at a behemoth 6’7’’ and weighing over 250 kilos, Woods has the body to bully defenders, and he confirmed a powerful understanding of which a part of the protection to assault with a purpose to get open. He ought to solely hold bettering, particularly with a head coach like Steichen on the helm, who did some strong work along with his tight ends in Philly.

General, I’m not anticipating this Colts’ group to contend in any respect subsequent season, and I consider one other season selecting inside the highest 10 could be very effectively throughout the doable outcomes, however there are many younger gamers to root for and monitor with a purpose to decide whether or not they are often key components of this franchise’s future.