How is the Colts’ offensive depth chart looking after the draft, and is there a glaring need to solve?
Throughout this three-piece series I will be analyzing the Colts’ players on all phases of the game, with the players on the team right after the Draft, keeping in mind that it is almost a given that Ballard will bring in some veteran free-agents to shore up the team.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson / Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger
The Colts have their quarterback situation figured out, and it only depends on whether Anthony Richardson manages to remain healthy and play all seventeen games. I have enough confidence to say that with the amount of talent and the coaching on this offense if Richardson plays the entire season he should be among the top 5 candidates for the MVP award. Unfortunately we did not get to see much of him his rookie year, but what we did see was a guy that is not only perhaps the most athletic quarterback in the NFL right now but also a composed and accurate passer from the pocket or rolling out of it.
Joe Flacco is a reliable backup that enjoyed a sort of career resurgence with the Browns last season leading the team to the playoffs with some really big moments. Give him a clean pocket and he will deliver, but it is evident that this team is made for, and depends, on AR. Ehlinger is closer to AR in terms of playing style, but only because he can use his legs to run for five yards, if he sees playing time at all it is because things went really bad.
Verdict: Not a need at all
Running Back: Jonathan Taylor / Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
JT is now signed through the next three years and with no holdouts or contract disputes in the horizon Colts’ fans can start getting encouraged about him in the backfield next to AR for the foreseeable future. When healthy (18 games started over the past two seasons), Taylor is among the most dynamic running backs in the NFL and a constant homerun threat, the only question mark is his ability to remain on the field.
Keeping that durability question mark in mind, it is certainly worrisome that the Colts have no reliable backups behind JT. Sure, running back is a relatively easy position to fill out, but backup Zack Moss came up big for the team last year in Taylor’s abscence and even playing a complementary role, racking up close to 800 rushing yards and five touchdowns, so the Colts would be wise to look for another veteran back. With him gone, the Colts now have Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, and Tyler Goodson. Sermon has just 78 carries and has played on more teams than he has touchdowns so far, he also offers almost no receiving value. Evan Hull suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that caused him to miss his entire rookie year, and Tyler Goodson might be hungry for a second chance after the key drop in the final game of the season.
Verdict: Need a viable backup behind JT.
Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs / Alec Pierce, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
Receiver was an underrated need for the Colts going into the offseason, with MPJ’s contract expiring and the disappointing sophomore year for Alec Pierce. Pittman was re-signed to a lucrative three-year extension and the team managed to keep their #1 receiver, and absolutely amazing locker room presence in Indy. MPJ has improved every single season, which is the sign of a true professional dedicated to his craft, and the sort of players you always want in your locker room. Josh Downs has the slot receiver spot locked up, with a stellar rookie year under his belt. Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will compete for the #2 receiver spot, in what will be the most entertaining training camp battle. I belive that Pierce is the most benefitted player from AR’s return, and that Mitchell does not have a starting spot locked up just yet, despite his ceiling being much higher than Pierce’s.
Behind them the Colts have longtime depth receiver and special teams’ ace Ashton Dulin, who will be entering his sixth season as a Colt, and rookie Anthony Gould, who was mainly drafted because of his return abilities amid the kickoff rule changes favouring the return game.
Verdict: Not a need.
Tight end: Jelani Woods / Will Mallory, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox
It appears that most of this fanbase has completely forgotten about Jelani Woods’ existence, and how good he looked in limited playing time his rookie year. The massive tight end had harmstring issues that prevented him from playing a single game last year, but is now fully healthy and ready to go. Will Mallory and Kylen Granson are fighting for that receiving tight end spot, something that Steichen did not use as much as Reich did here so far. Mo Alie-Cox is perhaps the most obvious cut candidate in the team right now, as his $6 million cap-hit does not justify his performance at all, but somehow he has survived this far, which might be indicative of Woods’ health.
Verdict: Depending on how healthy Woods is
Offensive Line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith / Blake Freeland, Matt Goncalves, Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter, Wesley French
After a poor 2021-22 season, the Colts’ offensive line bounced back in a big way and was one of the main reasons the offense managed to stay afloat despite losing Anthony Richardson early on in the year. Raimann established himself as one of the best left tackles in the NFL, Nelson returned to his All-Pro form, Kelly managed to remain healthy, Fries was a pleasant surprise, and Braden Smith played well when available. Behind them, the Colts added Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini. Goncalves’ value lies on his versatility to play anywhere on the line, while Bortolini looks like the future Ryan Kelly replacement. Pinter, French, and Freeland all have some meaningful playing experience and are solid depth linemen.
Verdict: Not a need at all.
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