The Indianapolis Colts Most Important Player?

CBS Sports named the most important non-quarterback on every team. Who did they choose for the Indianapolis Colts?

CBS Sports recently named the most-important non-quarterback on every team in the NFL, and there were plenty of choices for the Indianapolis Colts.

They went with wide receiver Michael Pittman, and considering his importance to the development of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, it's a strong choice.

RB Jonathan Taylor is still their most dynamic all-around talent, but if rookie QB Anthony Richardson starts most of 2023 as expected, his own legs can help the ground game. Pittman, meanwhile, is basically the only sure thing at his position. -- Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports

Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently named receiving options as the Colts' biggest weakness heading into the Summer. Saying Pittman is the player the Colts can least afford to lose follows that theme.

Still just 25-years old, Pittman had a good season last year with a carousel of quarterbacks. His 925 yards was just under his career high of 1,082 in 2020.

However, his production was due in large part to the volume of targets he received. He needed 99 receptions to accumulate those 925 yards. His 9.3-yards per reception was well off the 12.6 and 12.3 he posted his first-two years in the league.

The Colts struggled to protect the quarterback in 2022, and the quarterbacks failed to push the ball downfield. The lack of a vertical threat helped contribute to more stacked boxes to stifle the running game.

In addition to Taylor and Pittman, an argument could be made for offensive guard Quenton Nelson. Nelson was dominant his first-three seasons in the NFL. 

He was an All-Pro selection in each of those three years. He still got a Pro Bowl nod each of the last two seasons, but his PFF grade fell from 91.2 and 86.2 in 2019 and 2020 to 69.1 and 68.4 the last two seasons. 

Colts fans will be the first to admit Nelson's performance the last-two years has been closer to PFF's grade than the Pro Bowl nods he's gotten on name recognition. 

Because of the way his contract is structured, Nelson has just a $12.2-million cap hit this year. However his average contract value places him as the No. 2 guard in compensation at $20 million.

The Colts built the most expensive offensive line in the NFL last season, and Nelson was the most expensive piece. Their identity is power football.

Nelson playing at his best may be more important to the Colts and the development of Richardson than Pittman playing at his best.

The Colts are hoping it's not a one or the other proposition, and they get the best out of their star players including Richardson, Taylor, Pittman, and linebacker Shaq Leonard.