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The Indianapolis Colts have been more active than usual in NFL free agency, adding two starting defensive backs and a quarterback who might start, while retaining some depth and versatility. They also lost two offensive line starters, a pass rusher and a tight end.
So are they better than they were a couple of weeks ago?
Relative to the rest of the league, not appreciably. They remain in the lower third of the league in the most recent power rankings. On the bright side, they remain ahead of AFC South foes Jacksonville (mostly) and Tennessee, so there's just one rung to climb to win the division.
Mock drafts: Will the Colts pick a tight end or an offensive lineman in NFL Draft?
"I have thought way too much about the QB situation brewing here. If you'd have told me a month ago that the Colts would sign Daniel Jones, I wouldn't have automatically assumed the move was made to push Anthony Richardson. After all, Jones was not claimed by anyone after being cut last November and ended up on Minnesota's practice squad. I realize timing matters, and Jones' value is higher in a lean QB market, but signing him to a one-year, $14 million deal puts the 27-year-old on a salary island. He's making around $5 million more this year than recent first-round QBs on their first contracts and around $5 million less than the lowest presumed QB starter, Justin Fields. That clearly shows the Colts 1) are concerned about Richardson's development for this season and 2) believe Jones can win the job from him. GM Chris Ballard wasn’t just blowing smoke at the combine when he said the team would have a QB competition. Addressing the secondary was a must, so the additions of Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum were big, but the QB situation and how it unfolds over the next nine months definitely trumps everything else. Stop me if you've heard this before, but we're entering a critical season in Indy."
"Anthony Richardson will compete with new signing Daniel Jones for the right to the starting quarterback job, and how the eventual victor performs will dictate how the Colts fare in 2025.
"Unfortunately, losing key offensive linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries may lead to struggles in protecting whoever the Colts choose as their signal-caller.
"Additions such as Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward should combine with cornerstones such as DeForest Buckner and Nick Cross and emerging talents such as Laiatu Latu to improve the defensive unit overall."
Let us know who the quarterback is, and we might have a more positive outlook for the 2025 season … though could Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones truly be the correct answer?
"Free agency was a mixed bag for the Colts. They lost two key starters on the interior offensive line, Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, as well as stalwart defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo. On the other hand, they landed two of the top-ranked coverage defenders in Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward.
"The bigger storyline comes in the quarterback room, where Indianapolis acquired Daniel Jones. He is expected to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job. While the team still hopes Richardson can develop into a franchise quarterback, having a contingency plan in place is a prudent move."
"Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard finally splurged on the defense in NFL free agency. Charvarius Ward played like a No. 1 cornerback from 2022-’23 and safety Camryn Bynum is a playmaker. Consistency and playmaking have been added to the Colts’ secondary, providing ample reason for optimism. Unfortunately, what drags Indianapolis down in our NFL power rankings are the losses of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. Daniel Jones has huge problems versus pressure and Anthony Richardson can’t stay healthy nor can he complete 60% of his passes. A question mark at the most important position in sports is the last thing a coach and GM on the hot seat can afford to have."
"The Colts are back to trying to figure out quarterback between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, and they also took some key offensive line hits. The defense might be the better unit with secondary upgrades for new coordinator Lou Anarumo."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts power rankings after a more active NFL free agency
Continue reading...
So are they better than they were a couple of weeks ago?
Relative to the rest of the league, not appreciably. They remain in the lower third of the league in the most recent power rankings. On the bright side, they remain ahead of AFC South foes Jacksonville (mostly) and Tennessee, so there's just one rung to climb to win the division.
Mock drafts: Will the Colts pick a tight end or an offensive lineman in NFL Draft?
Colts power rankings: Are they better after a more active NFL free agency?
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 23rd
"I have thought way too much about the QB situation brewing here. If you'd have told me a month ago that the Colts would sign Daniel Jones, I wouldn't have automatically assumed the move was made to push Anthony Richardson. After all, Jones was not claimed by anyone after being cut last November and ended up on Minnesota's practice squad. I realize timing matters, and Jones' value is higher in a lean QB market, but signing him to a one-year, $14 million deal puts the 27-year-old on a salary island. He's making around $5 million more this year than recent first-round QBs on their first contracts and around $5 million less than the lowest presumed QB starter, Justin Fields. That clearly shows the Colts 1) are concerned about Richardson's development for this season and 2) believe Jones can win the job from him. GM Chris Ballard wasn’t just blowing smoke at the combine when he said the team would have a QB competition. Addressing the secondary was a must, so the additions of Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum were big, but the QB situation and how it unfolds over the next nine months definitely trumps everything else. Stop me if you've heard this before, but we're entering a critical season in Indy."
Jason Abbey, DAZN: 24th
"Anthony Richardson will compete with new signing Daniel Jones for the right to the starting quarterback job, and how the eventual victor performs will dictate how the Colts fare in 2025.
"Unfortunately, losing key offensive linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries may lead to struggles in protecting whoever the Colts choose as their signal-caller.
"Additions such as Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward should combine with cornerstones such as DeForest Buckner and Nick Cross and emerging talents such as Laiatu Latu to improve the defensive unit overall."
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 28th
Let us know who the quarterback is, and we might have a more positive outlook for the 2025 season … though could Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones truly be the correct answer?
Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus: 26th
"Free agency was a mixed bag for the Colts. They lost two key starters on the interior offensive line, Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, as well as stalwart defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo. On the other hand, they landed two of the top-ranked coverage defenders in Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward.
"The bigger storyline comes in the quarterback room, where Indianapolis acquired Daniel Jones. He is expected to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job. While the team still hopes Richardson can develop into a franchise quarterback, having a contingency plan in place is a prudent move."
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 21st
"Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard finally splurged on the defense in NFL free agency. Charvarius Ward played like a No. 1 cornerback from 2022-’23 and safety Camryn Bynum is a playmaker. Consistency and playmaking have been added to the Colts’ secondary, providing ample reason for optimism. Unfortunately, what drags Indianapolis down in our NFL power rankings are the losses of Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. Daniel Jones has huge problems versus pressure and Anthony Richardson can’t stay healthy nor can he complete 60% of his passes. A question mark at the most important position in sports is the last thing a coach and GM on the hot seat can afford to have."
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 26th
"The Colts are back to trying to figure out quarterback between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, and they also took some key offensive line hits. The defense might be the better unit with secondary upgrades for new coordinator Lou Anarumo."
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts power rankings after a more active NFL free agency
Continue reading...
