Indianapolis Colts: Roster Highs and Lows to Address This Offseason

While the Indianapolis Colts have a well-balanced roster, some weak areas remain to address this offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts are approaching free agency and the NFL Draft with things to address on the current roster despite some of its strengths.

There are always areas of need for more skill to bolster the overall performance of any team. But for the Colts, it's worth mentioning the best and worst position groups for the offense and defense. This information can help identify where Indianapolis may look to add talent. 

With this in mind, it's time to break down where the Colts are best suited and which position rooms need the most help. 

Note that starters are marked with an asterisk (*). 

Strongest Offensive Position Group | Offensive Tackle

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• *Bernhard Raimann | Left Tackle
• *Braden Smith | Right Tackle
• Blake Freeland | Tackle
• Jake Witt | Tackle 

The offensive tackles for the Colts played as well as they could, making them one of the stronger positions on Shane Steichen's offense. 

Left tackle Raimann missed only two games in the 2023 season and was lights out. He ranked second out of nine eligible linemen in overall blocking grade per Pro Football Focus with 82.3. He also led the team with pass-blocking efficiency by landing an 80.6 grade in front of former All-Pro and Pro Bowler guard Quenton Nelson. 

As for right tackle Smith, he had issues with knee and hip injuries, limiting him to 10 games, but he showed his worth when he played. Smith led the charge with an 83.3 overall blocking grade and a fantastic 90.1 run-blocking mark. He also allowed 0 sacks and showcased his consistency on the right side. 

As for rookies Freeland and Witt, Freeland filled in for Raimann and Smith when they were out. Primarily playing right tackle, Freeland struggled and allowed the most quarterback hurries (37) and pressures (45). The former BYU Cougar will look to improve in year two. 

For Witt, his debut never got started after sustaining a season-ending hip injury before the campaign had a chance to begin. However, he is an interesting tackle out of Northern Michigan with high-level athleticism. Priority one will be to remain healthy for the former seventh-round selection. 

Weakest Offensive Position Group | Wide Receiver

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• *Michael Pittman Jr.
• *Josh Downs
• *Alec Pierce
• D.J. Montgomery
• Ashton Dulin

The Colts had solid production from starters Pittman and 2023 third-round selection Downs. Outside of this, the receiving depth is spotty and needs an explosive playmaker or two for more effectiveness.

Pittman led the Colts receiving corps with 109 catches (156 targets), 1,152 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He is an impending free agent and Indy will likely put retaining him as a top offseason priority.

As for Downs, he ranked second in catches (68), targets (98), receiving yards (771), and first downs (30). He showed he could make plays regardless of who was playing quarterback. He'll push to potentially leap far ahead in his sophomore NFL season after breaking the Indy-era record for catches in a rookie season.

Pierce entered his second season after being drafted in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was to have a big season with Anthony Richardson at field general but had to try and make it work with backup Gardner Minshew instead. 

Pierce finished 2023 with 32 catches for 514 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a 16.2 average per reception. 

While special teams ace and deep threat Dulin missed 2023 with a torn ACL, Montgomery traveled on and off the Indy active roster. He concluded with 3 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.

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Strongest Defensive Position Group | Defensive End

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• *Samson Ebukam
• *Kwity Paye
• Dayo Odeyingbo
• Tyquan Lewis
• Jake Martin
• Isaiah Land

The defensive front for Indianapolis grabbed a team total of 51 sacks, mostly from their defensive ends.

Whether starters or depth pieces, it's arguably the most complete group on Gus Bradley's defense.

Ebukam was signed in the 2023 offseason to a three-year, $27 million contract after serving as a rotational piece his first six seasons in the NFL. However, he emerged with a team-leading 9.5 sacks and 48 quarterback pressures.

Paye entered his third year with the Colts. The former first-round pick out of Michigan notched a career-high in sacks (8.5) and showed consistency in run defense.

Paye will need to become a more consistent pass-rushing threat for Indy to take on his fifth-year option in 2024.

Drafted one round after Paye in 2022, Odeyingbo became more than a mere depth name on the defensive front. Odeyingbo grabbed 8.0 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits. He also had a career performance against the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, where he'd compile 3.0 sacks in one contest.

Indianapolis veteran Lewis had a chip on his shoulder after back-to-back season-ending patella tendon injuries. He shined with 4.0 sacks and constant pass-rushing pressure on quarterbacks with 44, which was third on the team behind only Ebukam and defensive star DeForest Buckner (52).

Backups Martin (2.0) and Land (1.0) contributed with 3.0 total sacks. This duo rotated behind Odeyingbo and Lewis for valuable varieties of defensive packages. 

Weakest Defensive Position Group | Cornerback

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• *Kenny Moore II
• *JuJu Brents
• *Jaylon Jones
• Dallis Flowers
• Darrell Baker Jr.
• Ameer Speed
• Chris Lammons

The Colts' secondary had flashes of success but proved to be a liability that needs more experience and talent on the depth chart.

Moore had a resurgent year, putting together 93 tackles (8 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 6 passes defended, 3 interceptions, and 2 defensive touchdowns. He is also a free agent, but the contract for Indianapolis to keep his services shouldn't break the bank.

Former Kansas State defender Brents only played in nine games due to hamstring and quad injuries, but in half a season, he displayed playmaking ability and promise as a starting corner. He finished with 43 tackles, 6 passes defended, 1 interception, and fumble forced.

The knock on Brents is his quickness in coverage.

More long and athletic, Brents needs to improve moving his hips to avoid getting burned downfield or underneath.

A seventh-round pick out of Texas A&M, Jones played outside of his draft expectations. Originally thought as more of a practice squad player, Jones emerged as a starter once Flowers exited the year with an Achilles injury.

Jones finished with a 57.3 coverage grade and efficient tackling but needs to be more consistent with his play on the field to warrant snaps once Flowers returns.

Back to Flowers.

The second-year defender was a return specialist in 2022 but became a solid starter in four games in 2023. Before his injury, Flowers posted 15 tackles, 3 passes defended, and a 70.6 coverage grade.

Once Flowers returns to health, he'll push Jones for the starting spot that he never truly lost.

Backups Baker, Lammons, and Speed struggled to provide reliable depth in the secondary.

Baker, who played most of the aforementioned three, showed signs of potential in training camp. Ultimately, he was exposed when on the field in his six starts and will have to be better to keep a roster spot long-term. 

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