The Colts had to wait a bit to use their flashy new toy after an early injury last season. Now, with a healthy Anthony Richardson paired with Shane Steichen, can the Colts make noise in the AFC South?
Anthony Richardson coming out of the draft was one of the most polarizing prospects at the QB position in recent memory, and maybe ever. The 6’4″ 250 pound signal caller from Florida has a cannon of an arm matched only by his raw speed and strength. However, after just three full games as a rookie, Richardson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
On top of this, the Colts were without star Running Back Jonathan Taylor for seven games in 2023. Now, with everyone healthy, and year two coming for Head Coach Shane Steichen and Wide Receiver Josh Downs, the sky is the limit for the Colts offense if AR can produce. Downs is accompanied by Texas Rookie AD Mitchell, as well as returning Wideouts Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr, who was paid handsomely this offseason.
Defense is where the concern may lie for the Colts, specifically in the secondary. On the front seven, the Colts have Deforest Buckner and Kwity Paye headlining things, with first round edge rusher Laiatu Latu joining the squad, holding enromous potential. Outside of Kenny Moore, the backend is an extremely uncertain group. At the outside Cornerback spots are Juju Brents and Segun Olubi, two second year men. The Safeties are Nick Cross and Julian Blackmon. The Colts will be relying on a heavy run stop defense with a good pass rush to halt other offenses, or else the secondary may get beat more often than not.
Outside of retaining Pittman, Moore, Grover Stewart and Zaire Franklin, the Colts did not do much in terms of Free Agency. In the draft, they added two steals in Latu and Mitchell. The Colts in 2023 came a fourth down away from winning the AFC South with Gardner Minshew running the Steichen scheme. If Richardson can live up to the hype, the Colts should be a high-octane offensive group. The question is, will he? We saw some good and some bad in the preseason with limited work. Now, when live bullets start to fly, will the AR be releasing them, or being hit by them?
Schedule
Vs Texans= L
@ Packers- L
Vs Bears- L
Vs Steelers- W
@ Jaguars- L
@ Titans- L
Vs Dolphins- L
@ Texans- L
@ Vikings- W
Vs Bills- L
@ Jets- L
Vs Lions- L
@ Patriots- L
@ Broncos- W
Vs Titans- W
@ Giants- W
Vs Jaguars- W
Final Record: 6-11 (3rd in AFC South)
Key Additions
EDGE Laiatu Latu, WR AD Mitchell, DT Raekwon Davis
2023 Metrics
Offense
13th DVOA
20th PFF Grade
15th EPA/Play
11th Points
15th Passing EPA
20th Rushing EPA
26th Pass Block Win Rate
11th Run Block Win Rate
Defense
20th DVOA
22nd PFF Grade
21st EPA/Play
28th Points
20th Passing EPA
20th Rushing EPA
5th Pass Rush Win Rate
5th Run Stop Win Rate