Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
- 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
Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull could still earn the backup role despite some speculation suggesting the job belonged to Trey Sermon. According to James Boyd of The Athletic, "it remains unclear" who will operate as the No. 2 option behind Jonathan Taylor in 2024. He notes that while Sermon may be the early favorite, the former 49ers draft pick has just 78 carries for 346 yards and one touchdown in his career. Whoever takes over as Taylor's backup will be filling big shoes. Last season, that role belonged to Zack Moss, who finished the year with 986 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns. Moss is now in Cincinnati, leaving a competition of sorts for Sermon and Hull. As a rookie last year, Hull mustered just one rushing yard and six receiving yards.
The Athletic's James Boyd has Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods projected as the team's starting tight end in May because he remains bullish on his potential, despite the fact he was sidelined all of last year due to hamstring injuries. Woods should be healthy for organized team activities, and his next-level athleticism will mesh perfectly with head coach Shane Steichen's play-calling to create mismatches all over the field. He's also big enough to block when needed, and Kylen Granson can continue to use his speed and route-running to help move the chains. Mo Alie-Cox will remain in the mix as a seasoned veteran. While Woods should have a bigger pass-catching role if he can stay on the field, this could once again be a frustrating committee situation at TE for fantasy managers.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) is progressing well and itching to get back to normal football activities, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. "Richardson feels he's full go at this point," Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter. "He's been throwing for a while now. He's gradually grown to where he can throw full time with minimal restrictions. The Colts could be deliberate. They could hold him out for OTAs, 11-man work, minicamp, but the feeling is he wants to get started." These comments suggest that Richardson is pushing to return in a full capacity but Indianapolis may choose to take a more cautious approach in the final stage of his recovery and rehabilitation. Regardless, he should be back to 100 percent in time for the preseason and Week 1 of the regular season. He can be a QB1 in fantasy football as long as he stays healthy. That's easier said than done given that Richardson's physical playing style made him more susceptible to big hits and injuries as a rookie. However, Richardson reportedly might tone down his physicality in 2024, which could lead to him finishing more games (even if it equates to slightly fewer rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as more sacks). He should be treated as a fringe top-12 quarterback heading into fantasy drafts.
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.