Image Credit: (Geoff Blake/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
With Training Camp about to start for the NFL in a few weeks, there are questions that follow each team. Like I did with the Dolphins, I will be doing the Top 5 Biggest questions for every team heading into Training Camp. Next up is the Indianapolis Colts who originally had the 16th Overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, until they traded it in order to acquire QB Carson Wentz. But there are still questions that remain with this team.
1. Can Matt Ryan be the answer at quarterback?
Ever since the Colts ruined Andrew Luck's career by failing to surround him with talent, the Colts have not had a consistent year-to-year QB. The whole Carson Wentz fiasco last year was a complete flop and now the Colts are once again trying to find the guy. So the Colts decided to make a trade trying to acquire Matt Ryan via trade with the Falcons in exchange for a 3rd round draft pick. Say I think this sounds familiar, acquiring a declining past his prime QB. They did this when they signed Philip Rivers to this team. It obviously did not work out as they could not get past the wildcard round of the playoffs. But on a serious note, Matt Ryan needed a change of scenery as it was clear the Falcons were rebuilding and that he was not going to get a ring with them. Hopefully, he impresses with the Colts and shows he has plenty left in the tank, as I have a soft spot for Matt Ryan. I think he is one of the most underrated QBS ever and absolutely should have a ring right now.
2. Who on the receiving core will stand out?
The Only receiver last year that played well for the Colts was Michael Pittman Jr. If Pittman again has a strong season next year, then they really have something in him. But besides him, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the receiving core. Parris Campbell has talent, but can barely stay on the football field. They used a 2nd round choice on Alec Pierce who is a solid prospect, but who knows how well he will perform. Keke Countee is terrible. The rest are a bunch of names who are unknowns. Training camp will be huge as to who will win the job at wide receiver or if they want to bring back TY Hilton.
3. Who will be the replacement for Tight End Jack Doyle? It was not a surprise that TE Jack Doyle decided to announce his retirement after a long career after playing 9 seasons. It looks like Mo Alie-Cox will be mainly the receiving tight end, but the Colts need to find the backup blocking tight end. There are options for the Colts to choose from here. Kylen Granson was a 4th-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft and he was not great as a receiving tight end but was solid as a blocking tight end. Jelani Woods was a 3rd round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but is still raw and may need time to develop. Andrew Ogletree was a 6th-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, he is an intriguing option as he was a solid blocker. But Ogletree was mainly a special teams player. This is a battle that likely won’t be solved until the end of the preseason.
4. Can Stephone Gilmore rebound with the Indianapolis Colts?
The Colts secondary is not the best, especially at the cornerback position. The one move they made to try and improve it was to sign CB Stephon Gilmore to a two-year deal worth 23 million dollars. It looks like a good deal, but Gilmore has suffered a ton of regression since the Patriots decided to trade CB Stephon Gilmore. Again Bill Belichick showcases how much of a genius he is by trading away a star player at the right time. Gilmore did not impress during his time in Carolina and this could be his last chance to get a starting job as the number 1 cornerback. Can he stay healthy and rebound from a bad season with the Indianapolis Colts? Hopefully, because the Colts really don’t have much behind him to be labeled as a number 1 cornerback.
5. Do the Colts really have confidence in kicker Rodrigo Blankenship?
Look I like Rodrigo Blankenship and he is a solid kicker, but there were moments last season where the Colts just did not trust him. Maybe it had to do with the nagging hip issue which ultimately ended his season, but even when healthy the Colts just did not feel confident with Blankenship and often went for 2 on occasion. He has to beat Jake Verity for the Kicking job, but I am not so sure Blankenship will keep his job long-term as signs are there. I hope he impresses and gives confidence to the Indianapolis Colts.