The Colts selected North Carolina WR Josh Downs in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Downs’ production profile is as strong as any WR in this year’s class. He broke out with a 100-catch, 1,335-yard sophomore season in 2021 and then racked up another 94 catches, 1,029 yards, and 11 TDs this past year. He accounted for a massive 33.6% of North Carolina’s receptions, 30.9% of the receiving yards, and 29.7% of the receiving TDs over the past two seasons. We were a bit underwhelmed by Downs’ tape, though. He struggles against physical coverage, has a relatively small catch radius, and lacks elite downfield speed (confirmed by his 4.48-second 40 time). On the plus side, Downs has no trouble creating separation on short and intermediate routes and is a weapon after the catch. The 5’9, 171-pounder is destined for the slot as a pro. There's room for him to see early work there for a Colts squad that just let WR Parris Campbell walk in free agency. We remain unexcited about the third-rounder's long-term outlook, though. Check out Downs' initial projections in our 2023 fantasy football WR rankings.
Here's what HC Shane Steichen had to say about QB Anthony Richardson's development shortly after the Colts took him with the fourth overall pick on Thursday night: "I think the development of players comes with more experience... I think when you play more, that's how you develop... practice reps, game reps, I think that's how you develop." That sure doesn't sound like the Colts are planning to keep the relatively inexperienced Richardson on the sidelines for long. Indianapolis does have a capable veteran in QB Gardner Minshew, who might still be the favorite to open the season under center. But we're expecting to see plenty of Richardson this year. Our initial projections have him playing 11 games.
The Colts selected Florida QB Anthony Richardson with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson tested as the most athletic QB in NFL Combine history. A 4.43 forty-time, a 40.5-inch vertical, and a 129-inch broad jump are simply incredible. At 6’4, and 244 pounds, Richardson’s dynamic speed/power combo showed up at Florida. The 21-year-old tallied 654 rushing yards and 9 TDs in his one season as a starter. Inexperience is part of the problem here. But Richardson needs to kick durability concerns after suffering knee, ankle, and hamstring injuries in college. He also needs to show more down-to-down consistency — especially in the short to intermediate ranges. Ultimately, we see the 21-year-old improving over time. With elite rushing ability and plenty of arm talent, Richardson has the high-upside profile you should chase in rookie drafts. Landing on the Colts also turns up a nice schematic fit with HC Shane Steichen, who helped develop Jalen Hurts. Indy added Gardner Minshew this offseason, so the Colts don’t have to rush Richardson on the field. Current projections have the rookie for 11 games.
As expected, QB Anthony Richardson tested as an elite athlete at the NFL Combine. In fact, the Florida product set QB Combine records with a 40.5” vertical and a 10’9” broad jump. He added a ridiculous 4.43-second (official) 40-yard dash…at 6’4, 244 pounds. Insane. While his accuracy turns up as spotty on film, it’d be a shock if he’s not a top-10 pick come April.
The Colts have named Jim Bob Cooter their new OC. He turned in 3 generally underwhelming seasons as Lions OC from 2016-2018, with finishes of 21st, 13th and 24th in total yards. Cooter then bounced to Jets RBs coach to Eagles "consultant" to Jaguars passing-game coordinator this past year, playing a part in QB Trevor Lawrence's breakout season. Cooter will work under offensive-minded HC Shane Steichen in Indianapolis. Steichen is expected to call plays, according to The Athletic's Zak Keefer.
Shane Steichen is set to be named the Colts' HC, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Rumors of the move gained steam in the days leading up to the Eagles' Super Bowl loss, and Steichen is flying to Indianapolis on Monday afternoon to finalize the deal. The 37-year-old spent the past 2 seasons as Philadelphia's OC under HC Nick Sirianni, helping the Eagles to 14th- and then 3rd-place finishes in total yards. Prior to that, he spent the 2020 campaign as Chargers OC, leading that team to a 9th-place finish in yards with rookie QB Justin Herbert. With the 4th overall pick of this spring's draft, there's a good chance that Steichen is again working with a rookie signal-caller in 2023. Shoddy QB play left the Colts among the bottom 6th in both points and total yards last year. But they have an elite RB in Jonathan Taylor and a young, developing WR corps led by Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor had arthroscopic surgery recently on his right ankle, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and it was about more than just the high-ankle sprain that ended his 2022 season. "That thing had a bunch of junk in it from a bunch of years," Rapoport relayed from Taylor on Sunday morning. The RB is reportedly on track to be fully ready ahead of the coming season, and we just might get a healthier Taylor in 2023 than we got at any point in 2022. Taylor should remain in your Round 1 plans for 2023 fantasy football drafts.
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. drew a team-high 8 targets and caught a team-high 6 passes in Sunday's lopsided loss at the Giants. He managed just 41 yards but secured the team's only TD (from QB Sam Ehlinger). Pittman remains among the top 30 WRs in PPR points per game despite playing with 3 separate (poor) QBs this season. We'll see how Indianapolis addresses that position this offseason, after applying different Band-Aids each of the past 3 years. Pittman heads into the final year of his rookie contract -- and age-26 season -- in 2023. WR Parris Campbell led the team with 52 receiving yards Sunday on 3 catches (6 targets).
Colts TE Kylen Granson (ankle) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Giants. That should again mean an increased role for TE Jelani Woods, who's registered 71% and 62% route rates and 8-98 and 3-43 receiving lines in the last 2 games Granson missed. The rookie would be a flier in season-long leagues but is an intriguing DFS tournament play.
Colts TE Kylen Granson (ankle) is out for Monday night's game vs. the Chargers. That leaves Jelani Woods and Mo Alie-Cox in Indianapolis' TE room. Woods posted a big 8-98 line on 9 targets when Granson missed the Week 12 game vs. the Steelers.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) has been placed on IR, officially ending his 2022 season. RB Jordan Wilkins was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move. Wilkins joins Zack Moss and Deon Jackson in Indianapolis' backfield going forward. See where the Colts RBs sit in the initial Week 16 RB Rankings.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has been diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He’s still meeting with doctors, but it’s considered highly unlikely that he’ll play again this season," Rapoport adds. Taylor was bothered by right ankle trouble all season and will end up missing 6 games and most of a 7th. Turning just 24 in January, he's an easy bounce-back candidate in 2023. We'll see what the Colts do at QB. Taylor's absence the rest of this season leaves the backfield to Zack Moss and Deon Jackson. Week 16 brings a solid matchup vs. the Chargers, but a bad Indianapolis offense and uncertain workload split will leave both guys as just RB3 or flex plays.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Colts RB Jonathan Taylor's latest ankle injury is considered "nothing major." Taylor is scheduled for additional testing, though. "And with the Colts 4-9-1 record, it is uncertain when or if he’ll play again this season," Schefter adds. We should learn more about Taylor's rest-of-season outlook over the next few days. The Colts deployed a 2-man committee backfield without Taylor for most of Saturday's loss to the Vikings, with Zack Moss handling 24 carries and 1 target and Deon Jackson tallying 13 carries and 1 target. Both guys will be low-end fantasy options if Taylor misses more time.
Colts WR Michael Pittman caught 10 balls for 60 yards in Saturday's OT loss to the Vikings. He drew 14 targets, accounting for 42.4% of Indy's total pass attempts. No other Colt drew more than 4 looks or exceeded 2 receptions. WRs Parris Campbell and Alec Pierce tied for 2nd in targets. Campbell caught 2 balls for 13 yards. Pierce went catchless. The Colts finish up with the Chargers and Giants the next 2 weeks.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor is questionable to return to Saturday's game vs. the Vikings after injuring his right ankle on his 1st touch. That's the same ankle that's given him trouble for much of this season. We'll update his status when we know more. Zack Moss and Deon Jackson are handling backfield duties with Taylor out.
Update: Taylor has been downgraded to out. He finishes with 1 catch for 13 yards.
Colts WR Michael Pittman set season-lows in targets (4), catches (2) and yards (16) in Week 13. Yikes. Pittman was shadowed by CB Trevon Diggs for 83% of his routes, per Next Gen Stats. Diggs didn’t give up a single reception, as he blanketed Pittman all night. Despite the tough matchup, it’s certainly a disappointing result considering the production from Alec Pierce (4-86-1) and Parris Campbell (4-43). Pittman will look to rebound Sunday at Minnesota.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor mustered 82 yards on 21 attempts in a Week 13 loss at Dallas. Indy kept this game close until the 4th quarter, which helped Taylor see 20+ carries for the 4th straight game. While the Dallas defense was too much to overcome, the 23-year-old at least added 3 catches for the 3rd consecutive matchup. Sunday turns up a more favorable opponent in the Vikings.
Colts TE Jelani Woods (shoulder, quad) is active for tonight’s game vs. the Cowboys. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice, so we’re not expecting the shoulder or quad to be an issue. Woods is coming off a big Week 12 but is a volatile fantasy play tonight with TE Kylen Granson back from his illness.
Colts TE Jelani Woods (shoulder, quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game vs. the Cowboys. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice, so he should be available. But with TE Kylen Granson back from his illness, Woods is not a reliable Week 13 fantasy play.
The Colts have ruled CB Kenny Moore (ankle) out for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys. That can only help the matchup for WR CeeDee Lamb, who was already an easy starter.
Search
