The 2023 NFL season came to an abrupt ending in Indianapolis. With Tyler Goodson dropping what would’ve likely been the pass which sent the Colts to the playoffs, everyone in the organization was left branded with the haunting memory of that play. After all, the team was so close to the postseason.
Even with the harsh conclusion, the future still looked incredible for Indianapolis. They had won nine games and came a play away from the postseason, all without their rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Richardson’s return will undoubtedly be among the headlines as the Colts begin their training camp on July 24. But there is much more to watch for as Indianapolis prepares for the upcoming season.
Here are five things to keep an eye on this summer at Colts training camp:
Year two of Anthony Richardson
The obvious headline in Indianapolis is the return of franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson. The then 21-year-old saw his rookie season cut short after just four starts as injuries quickly became an issue. Richardson failed to complete all four of his starts due to picking up various injuries, culminating in an AC joint sprain in a week five home game against the Tennessee Titans. He subsequently underwent shoulder surgery and was shut down for the year, but not before giving a sneak peek of his capabilities.
In the five games he appeared in, Richardson logged 577 passing yards and three touchdowns paired with 133 rushing yards and four touchdowns to his name, enough to throw himself into the early conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year. It was painfully clear the Colts had found an answer to their long-standing quarterback problem.
Year two for Richardson will look slightly different. With a heavier emphasis on reduced recklessness and protecting his body, we should see a smarter and more calculated player under center. Assuming Richardson can stay healthy, head coach Shane Steichen’s offense has the potential to be among the league’s elite.
Bolstered pass rush
Entering the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts looked primed to select a defensive back or offensive weapon with their first-round pick. Instead, Indianapolis used the 15th overall pick on UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, making him the first defensive player selected in the first round. It was a bit of a surprise pick by general manager Chris Ballard as a pass rusher was not perceived to be a need by the media.
But behind the scenes, Ballard let out a laugh, in disbelief that the Colts ended up with “the best rusher in the draft.”
When you add Latu to the group of rushers which set a new franchise record with 47 sacks in 2023, it’s easy to see why the Colts were comfortable prioritizing talent over need with their first pick, despite Latu’s complicated medical history. Even while dealing with a bad neck which had forced him to briefly retire from football, Latu still managed 24 career sacks. That level of talent, when added to the arsenal the Colts already have, creates the perfect recipe for a dominant season up front.
However, a high level of success will require finding the best roles for all players, Latu included. Keep an eye on how the Colts experiment with Latu throughout training camp to figure out where he fits best to be productive.
Tight end position battle
The Colts’ tight end room is in an interesting position — 2023 was meant to be a changing of the guard type of season, with veteran Mo Alie-Cox making way for second-year player Jelani Woods. However, Woods dealt with hamstring issues from the beginning of training camp all the way through the campaign, never appearing in the regular season.
This opened the door for other players to showcase their abilities. Kylen Granson took a step forward in his development, Drew Ogletree flashed his potential as a red zone target, and rookie Will Mallory gave his early audition for a 2024 roster spot. Woods is now back healthy and Alie-Cox’s future is up in the air, creating a highly competitive environment for the players currently rostered.
Ballard has never kept more than four tight ends when picking the final 53-man roster. With seven players competing for at most four spots, the margin for error is razor-thin in Indianapolis. It should definitely make for an exciting battle to watch unfold.
What’s new in the secondary?
The youth and inexperience of the Colts’ secondary proved to be a massive liability in 2023, so much so that making some additions was seen as a necessary offseason task. But the Colts did not make any major changes. Ballard brought back safety Julian Blackmon on a team-friendly contract and inked veteran nickelback Kenny Moore II to a fresh three-year, $30 million contract to make him the highest paid slot cornerback in the league.
The only outside additions came through the draft. Indy selected Auburn safety Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round and Marshall cornerback Micah Abraham in the sixth round. The lack of significant change raised eyebrows, but like always, Ballard had his plan.
Ballard has always been an advocate for giving his own players a chance before making a drastic change, and that’s no different here. With the re-signing of Kenny Moore II, second-year guys JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones looking primed to take a big step forward and the return of Dallis Flowers from injury, it looks like there could be some shuffling of the cards at the cornerback position.
Blackmon is locked in as the starting strong safety. With the competition for free safety seemingly between third-year players Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II, two guys who have flashed but haven’t shown consistency, the Colts could afford to bring in a more experienced body to create more competition. Time will tell if they do make an acquisition, but regardless, however the secondary shapes up will be crucial to the defense’s success in the upcoming campaign.
Running back depth chart
We all remember last training camp when the main talking point was Jonathan Taylor and his contract dispute. Fortunately, Taylor and the Colts were able to work out an extension, retaining one of the league’s best rushers. It’s no secret that the Colts’ run game will be spearheaded by the former Wisconsin Badger, locking him in as the bonafide starter. What is less of a lock, however, is the depth chart behind Taylor.
Zack Moss departed for Cincinnati in free agency, opening up the backup running back position. The Colts, who made no additions to the position this offseason, have a number of guys in contention. Recently re-signed Trey Sermon seems to be the early favorite, but not by much. Last season’s villain, Tyler Goodson, is in the mix, as is second-year back Evan Hull. Hull missed all but eight snaps of his rookie season with a knee injury.
Whether he remains in the receiving back role he briefly held or takes on more volume as a rusher remains to be seen, but expect Hull to turn some heads at Grand Park this summer. In the end, how Steichen choses to stack his running back depth chart could be the difference between a good and a great rushing attack.
