Grading Colts Roster Moves from 2024 Offseason
The Indianapolis Colts finished the 2023 season with a better-than-expected 9-8 record under first-year head coach Shane Steichen. With several key players needing new contracts ahead of 2024, the Colts have made the right moves to retain the building blocks that will help build the franchise around quarterback Anthony Richardson. The team has also dipped outside the in-house re-signings to add talent in needy areas of the roster.
With this as the subject, it's time to dive into the grades for each move and a brief rundown on what it could mean for the upcoming year and the near future of the franchise.
Wide Receiver | Michael Pittman Jr. - Grade | A+
Running Back | Trey Sermon - Grade | C+
Quarterback | Joe Flacco - Grade | C
Defensive Tackle | Grover Stewart - Grade | B+
Defensive Tackle | Raekwon Davis - Grade | B-
Defensive End | Genard Avery - Grade | D+
Defensive End | Tyquan Lewis - Grade | B
Linebacker | Ronnie Harrison Jr. - Grade | C
Linebacker | Zaire Franklin - Grade | B+
Cornerback | Kenny Moore II - Grade | A-
Punter | Rigoberto Sanchez - Grade | B-
Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez missed the entire 2022 season with a torn Achilles injury. However, he bounced back in 2023 by playing all 17 games and looked better than ever in year one of Steichen and special teams coordinator Brian Mason. Sanchez booted 68 punts for 3,281 yards (48.3 per punt) and 0 landing for touchbacks. He also placed 30.9% of his kicks inside the 20-yard line (21 total).
This campaign and return from Sanchez earned him a three-year, $7.5 million contract. While this isn't an exciting position to retain, watching punter Matt Haack replace Sanchez in 2022 will make any fan happy about the contract. Haack averaged under 40 net yards per punt (39.6) and wasn't a consistent punter when called upon.
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