2024 offseason primer: Colts plan to create a contender around Anthony Richardson

admin | February 20, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Despite losing star rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in Week 4, the Indianapolis Colts (9-8 in 2023) kept things interesting in head coach Shane Steichen’s debut year with the franchise.

Steichen, known as one of the league’s sharp, young offensive thinkers, managed to get a 3,305-yard season and nine victories out of backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, who nearly guided the Colts to the playoffs for the third time since 2015.

Offensively, the Colts improved in Steichen’s first season. Though Jonathan Taylor was limited to only 10 games, he and Zack Moss handled the load for the Colts’ run attack, combining for 1,535 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns, while Michael Pittman Jr. had a breakout season with 109 catches and 1,152 yards.

Defensively, more work needs to be done. The Colts finished 24th in overall defense and 29th in scoring defense, and many of their top free agents are on that side of the ball.

Here’s everything you should know about Indianapolis’ offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE: $66.35M (sixth-most in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: QB Gardner Minshew; RB Zack Moss; WRs Michael Pittman Jr., Isaiah McKenzie, Juwann Winfree; OGs Jack Anderson and Danny Pinter

Defense: DEs Tyquan Lewis and Genard Avery; DTs Grover Stewart and Taven Bryan; LBs Cameron McGrone and Segun Olubi; CBs Kenny Moore and Tony Brown; Safeties Henry Black, Trevor Denbow and Julian Blackmon

Special teams: Punter Rigoberto Sanchez

Outlook: The Colts have a few needs to fill this offseason, but the good news is that they have plenty of money to spend. Internally, several players are worth maintaining, beginning with Pittman Jr. He’s the team’s second-best offensive player and a borderline top-15 wide receiver in the NFL, so he’s a must-have if they want Richardson to succeed. Minshew and Moss have both earned the opportunity to compete for a starting role elsewhere next year, but if either is interested in returning, it’s a no-brainer to keep them on the roster.

Stewart is a big-bodied interior defensive lineman (6-foot-4, 314 pounds), which alone makes him worth bringing back. He’s a good run stuffer in the center of the line, but he’s more of a backup defensive tackle than a starter. Moore was arguably the team’s best cornerback, and Blackman its best safety. Unless it intends to make a big splash in free agency, Indianapolis should re-sign both to help stabilize the secondary.

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): DT, CB, S, TE, Edge-rusher — Regardless of what happens with Stewart, Moore, and Blackmon, Indianapolis must strengthen its defensive line, cornerback, and safety positions, since they have been the team’s weak links. If Illinois’ Jer’Zahn Newton drops to 15th overall, the Colts should run to the podium to grab him. He led the club with 43 pressures, 28 hurries, and 7.5 sacks, and he might have an Aaron Donald-like impact on the defensive line.

If the Colts decide to go secondary in Round 1, I’d expect them to select the highest-rated player from Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell, or Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin snuck into Round 1 and Indy snatched him up as well.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois, T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; Byron Murphy, DT, Texas; Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota; Javon Bullard, Georgia; Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia; Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama; Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo; Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama; Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

Is Anthony Richardson fully healthy and can the Colts protect him?

How much does having Taylor for a full season help Richardson’s development?

Does Pittman Jr. re-sign or test free agency?