Indianapolis Colts Roster
- AFC South
- Stadium
- Lucas Oil Stadium
- Head Coach
- Shane Steichen
- Offensive Coordinator
- Jim Bob Cooter
- Defensive Coordinator
- Gus Bradley
- Special Teams Coach
- Brian Mason
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Indianapolis Colts have exercised the fifth-year option on defensive lineman Kwity Paye, the team announced on X on Thursday. The former No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Michigan hasn't been an elite rusher since entering the league, but he posted a career-high 8.5 sacks in 2023. Over his first 43 NFL games, he's racked up 129 tackles (79 solo), 18.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 18 run stuffs, and one pass deflection. He's played well enough to warrant another year under contract, so he won't hit free agency until at least the 2026 offseason.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson will be more aware of the speed and violence of the football game around him so that he can better protect himself heading into his second pro season, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter told members of the media. Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but made just four starts as a rookie before he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Richardson's physicality and athleticism helped him become a top pick and budding NFL star, but these same qualities likely made him more susceptible to injury, too. Cooter's comments should provide Colts fans and fantasy managers with some optimism that Richardson can stay healthy in 2024. At the same time, though, they also suggest that Richardson may tone down his physicality, which could lead to fewer rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as more sacks. Fantasy managers should view the Indianapolis signal-caller as a fringe QB1 heading into drafts.
The Indianapolis Colts posted a video of quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) throwing at offseason spring practices, and he appears to be fully healthy after needing season-ending shoulder surgery in his rookie season in 2023. The 21-year-old is expected to be ready to take part in organized team activities in May and June, although the Colts could choose to ease him in. The former fourth overall pick last year out of Florida played in just four games in 2023 due to a head injury and his shoulder ailment, but he flashed high-end QB1 upside in that small sample size by throwing for 577 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while also picking up 136 rushing yards and four touchdowns. There's obvious injury risk involved because of his propensity to take off and run, but fantasy managers can't deny the upside.
Since the Indianapolis Colts didn't address the departure of Zack Moss by taking a running back in this year's NFL draft, the team seems content with Trey Sermon, Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson fighting it out for the backup running back job behind starter Jonathan Taylor in training camp this summer. Of course, the Colts could also add a free agent at the position like Kareem Hunt, but as of right now, Sermon could be poised to be the team's No. 2. Seventeen of Sermon's 35 carries for the Colts last year came in Week 15. In total, the former third-rounder of the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 out of Ohio State had 160 rushing yards and no touchdowns while adding three catches for 13 yards. If Taylor misses time due to an injury again in 2024, the Colts will likely use a committee approach in the backfield.
After the addition of rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round of this year's NFL draft, Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce will compete with Mitchell on the outside for the No. 3 role this season. Michael Pittman Jr, who signed a three-year, $70 million contract extension this offseason, will continue to see the lion's share of the targets, with Josh Downs manning the slot as the No. 2 option. The 23-year-old Pierce only had 32 catches for 514 yards and two touchdowns last year and will now be battling a much more dynamic pass-catcher for a role in the Colts' offense in 2024. Not only is Mitchell a superior athlete, but his production (55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023) speaks for itself.