Last Look at Needs: Offense
With the Draft at the Door, We Examine Prospects Who Could Help Move the Ball
With the draft looming, I thought it might be appropriate to look at the Colts’ needs, and make a few unsolicited suggestions.
Quarterback
Players on hand
5 Anthony Richardson, 17 Daniel Jones, 8 Jason Bean
Need
The Colts are in a difficult situation. Through their own mismanagement of the QB situation, they have grown somewhat less enamored with Richardson, so they feel a need to push or even replace him.
For that, they signed Jones. He has many of the same shortcomings as Richardson, but does not possess his ridiculous arm strength or his explosive athletic ability.
The Colts appear to be hoping that Jones’s development was hampered by New York media and fans. There’s some merit to that argument, but it also indicates that he has a problem facing adversity, exactly what a team doesn’t want from their QB1. Look at it this way. Under pressure, Richardson’s PFF passer rating (43.6) was 30.3 points lower than when he wasn’t pressured. While Jones’ 37.3 rating was 48.2 lower than when he wasn’t feeling the heat (not to mention being 6.3 points behind Richardson’s anyway). Right now, I’d say Richardson is the better game-day QB, even though Jones would do a much better job of throwing footballs through hoops in a skills competition.
Their presence, salaries and a poor draft crop preclude any more real competition at QB1 to begin 2025. But the way rosters work now, it appears as though they find a No. 3. The guy currently under contract is 2024 preseason darling Bean, who the team lists as a QB-WR (he played 17 snaps at WR in his five-season college career without catching a pass). He was not a proficient passer in college, recording 1,681 passing yards in his best of five seasons, so he could struggle if forced to play QB in the NFL.
What to do
Although the Colts appear to have kicked the tires on old and old school Tyler Shough and potential coach-killer Quinn Ewers, it would be a bad idea to spend much, or any, draft capital on this year’s crop of not-quite-good-enough prospects.
Even if they do, the poor rook wouldn’t get many (any?) summer snaps, as the Colts force Richardson and Jones to fight for the lion’s share, and Bean will get some chance to show what he can do.
A more prudent plan would be to look for an athletic multi-purpose QB as a UDFA, like UCF’s KJ Jefferson. A guy who can run the scout team when appropriate and step in if there’s an emergency would not require much polish. And, if he succeeds, it’s a bonus.
Jefferson has better college numbers than Bean, and is a big problem to tackle at 247 pounds.
If they can’t get decent play out of Richardson and/or Jones, they’ll be in contention to grab a franchise QB in 2025.
Halfbacks
Players on hand
28 Jonathan Taylor, 26 Khalil Herbert, 36 Salvon Ahmed, 31 Tyler Goodson
Need
Last season, Taylor had his issues. Not only will he remembered for the dumbest fumble ever, but — as is his usual — he missed three games due to injury, and seemed affected by them in others. But Taylor is Taylor and the feature back until he isn’t.
But his tendency to miss time and limitations in the passing game mean that his backups will always find work. But last year’s HBs — Sermon (56-159-2 rushing and 18-16-99-0 receiving) and Goodson (32-153-1 rushing and 14-11-61-1 receiving) — a left a lot to be desired. Sermon is gone, but Goodson’s upside and special-teams ability have given him another chance.
The Colts made a definite upgrade in the backfield with the signing of Herbert. But he’s not really an asset in the receiving game, either.
Goodson is again penciled as the No. 3 back, but his receiving line after two NFL seasons is just 23-17-95-1 with 3 drops, all at crucial times. Some competition would be ideal.
What to do
If the Colts can find a reliable pass-catching back late in the draft, or as a UDFA, an open competition for the No. 3 role would improve the position. He would also, of course, have to contribute on special teams, and might also be a KR candidate.
Memphis’ Mario Anderson would be ideal. Syracuse’s LeQuint Allen Jr or USC’s Jo’Quavious Marks could also be worth a long look. Or, if they’re all drafted earlier than the where the Colts are comfortable with, Jacksonville State’s Tre Stewart is an intriguing option who needs to expand his route tree.
Wide Receivers
Players on hand
11 Michael Pittman Jr., 14 Alec Pierce, 10 Adonai Mitchell, 16 Ashton Dulin, 17 Laquon Treadwell, 2 D.J. Montgomery, 9 Ajou Ajou
Need
There isn’t one, really. Pittman should bounce back from his injury-plagued season, Pierce has established himself as an elite deep threat, Mitchell will get a chance to break out, and Dulin is essentially guaranteed a roster spot because of his special-teams abilities. And they will also get contributions outside from Downs.
The position is so strong, in fact, that Treadwell — certainly a competent NFL receiver — could not make the team in 2024 because he doesn’t play on specials.
What to do
I wouldn’t expect the team to draft anyone at this position unless they fell a full round or something, and were too good to pass up. However, the team have been looking around at jump ball specialists both at WR and TE this offseason. Should they invest a late pick or some UDFA money, it could be on a players who can leap and win contested catches like Louisville Ja’Corey Brooks or San Jose State’s Nick Nash.
Slot Receivers
Players on hand
1 Josh Downs, 6 Anthony Gould
Need
Downs is one of the best at the position, but can get hurt from time to time. Gould appears to step in as his sub.
What to do
This position is just like WR — it can be safely set aside as other positions are addressed. They’ll put out the UDFA call, but are really just trying their luck with that.
Tight Ends
Players on hand
81 Moe Alie-Cox, 85 Drew Ogletree, 80 Jelani Woods, 86 Will Mallory, 49 Sean McKeon, 84 Albert Okwuegbunam
Need
The Colts are running it back, minus a little-missed Kylen Granson. The problem is that the guys they’re bringing back aren’t very good. Woods missed 2024 with another injury, and McKeon and Okwuegbunam didn’t get any snaps on offense. The other three combined for a draedful receiving line of 43-25-285-2 with 3 drops. At least Alie-Cox and Ogletree can block. Consider the help wanted sign to be out.
What to do
There’s been a lot of talk about the Colts drafting a TE in the first round, and Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colton Loveland are certainly worth consideration.
But the TE class is deep, and no team with Downs, Pittman and Pierce is going to feature a TE as its primary weapon. So, if the Colts, as many expect, draft for defense in the first round, there are plenty of other TEs around who could contribute to the passing offense who would be available in the second or third rounds. Lots of fans like the U’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor, but I wouldn’t mind any of the top half-dozen or so, if they fall into the right draft position.
Keep a close eye on Clemson’s Jake Briningstool. He’s got strong, natural hands, is close to 6’6, and plays with a grudge. He can even block a little.
Tackles
Players on hand
79 Bernhard Raimann, 72 Braden Smith, 71 Matt Goncalves, 73 Blake Freeland, 67 Luke Tenuta, 76 Jack Wilson
Need
Any action will be on the right side, because Raimann is a fixture. Incumbent Smith is in the last year of a very expensive contract, and is not expected to return for 2026. Goncalves would appear to be in line to replace him, but he’s still a work in progress as a pass protector. Freeland is despised by many fans, and used very sparingly in 2024.
What to do
It’s always wise to draft tackles, because they can often be developed over time if they have the tools. So, I believe the Colts will spend a middle- to late-round choice at the position. They’ll look for a tall, long-armed guy who has at least some pass-pro ability. UConn’s Chase Lundt might be a wise choice.
Interior Offensive Linemen
Players on hand
56 Quenton Nelson, 60 Tanor Bortolini, 68 Dalton Tucker, 63 Danny Pinter, 65 Atonio Mafi, 66 Josh Sills
Need
Considering that the Colts lost two of three starters to free agency, fans appear to oblivious of the need here, focusing more on TE, DE and LB. Everyone seems to have unshakable faith that Bortolini can step in at C, but the competition to start at RG currently consists of Tucker against Pinter. Someone is needed to push them, or push them out of the way.
What to do
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Colts spend a Day 2 pick on a G candidate, and they will certainly use at least one Day 3 pick. The team looks for tall, long-armed Gs who can protect and play C if necessary. Cincinnati’s Luke Kandra needs some coaching, but could be a wise selection. Georgia’s Jared Wilson just needs NFL conditioning and a few reps to make a difference. He’s projected as a C, but has played G very well.