Last Year:

Record: 8-8

Offense: 25.7 (8th)

Defense: 24.5 (22nd)

Offseason: 

Key Acquisitions: DE. Margus Hunt, DT. Johnathan Hankins, LB. Jabaal Sheard, LB. John Simon

Key Losses: TE. Dwayne Allen, LB. D’Qwell Jackson, LB. Robert Mathis, S. Mike Adams

 Breakdown

Offense:

The success of the Colts offense starts with Andrew Luck who is coming off a strong season. Luck is one of the elite young QBs in the NFL and now as he enters his sixth season looks to join the tier one group of QBs. But we know what Luck brings to the table the question is how much will his teammates bring? The most reliable group is the receiving corps. TY Hilton was one of the top receivers in the NFL last season. They also have young talent on the rise in Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett and they picked up Kamar Aiken in free agency. With better health from Moncrief, continued development from Dorsett, and consistent play from Aiken the Colts could have a four headed monster at receiver. The Colts have lost tight ends over the past few offseasons but thanks to Jack Doyle’s breakout year they could afford to trade Dwyane Allen. The running back position is one of the worst in the league. Frank Gore is still steady but at 34 he just does not have much explosiveness anymore and after back to back seasons averaging less than four yards per carry odds are he never will again. The Colts have a young inexperienced offensive line but it has potential depending on how fast they can develop. The left side is the most steady where their oldest and most senior player Anthony Castonzo is at LT and Jack Mewhort is at LG. They are the only two starters on the line that have over three years experience and the best offensive lineman on the team. At center is Ryan Kelly who was the team’s first round pick last season. He had a solid rookie season and has the potential to develop into one of the best centers in the league one day. Joe Haeg, the team’s fifth round pick a year ago, ended up starting the most games at RT but he is slated for a move inside to RG while Le’Raven Clark, the team’s third round pick last year, is projected to take over at RT. That makes three projected starters from last year’s draft class. Overall unless the Colts hit homeruns on the offensive line in the 2016 draft I project the right side of the line to struggle. I also do not expect much from a run game that centers around a 34 year old running back. That means expect more of the same from the Colts, which is everything hinges on Luck’s arm and the passing attack.

Defense:

The Colts have not been very good on defense for years now but the team has made some moves to try and get younger, faster and hopefully better. There are new faces all over the defensive line as the team picked up Jonthan Hankins and Margus Hunt in free agency. Hankins is a massive run stopper perfect for the nose tackle position and Hunt will play at end opposite Henry Anderson. Anderson was the best defensive lineman for the Colts in 2016. Meanwhile Hunt has been stuck on a loaded defensive line in Cincy his entire career never quite getting his chance to shine but will now be given his opportunity to be a full time starter. The linebacking corps has also been made over with two new starters all picked up in free agency. They picked up Jabaal Sheard from the Pats and John Simon from the Texans to play the OLB spots on the edge. They both had good seasons a year ago and were good against the run but neither are great pass rushers. In the middle Sean Spence and Antonio Morrison are projected to start. Spence started six games in 2016 and is entering his fifth season. Morrison was a rookie last season and started four games. This will be both players first seasons entering camp as projected starters and we will see if they can win the jobs. The Colts invested a lot in the 2017 draft in the secondary taking a safety and a corner back to back in the first two rounds and both are projected to start. Vontae Davis will be the number one corner and the Colts are desperate for him to return to the elite level he played at in 2014 but he just has not played up to that level in the past two seasons and many are starting to wonder is he simply washed up already at 28? Their second round pick Quincy Wilson is projected to be the other starting outside corner and the Colts will need instant production from him right away. It looks like a three man race for the nickel spot now that Darius Butler is moving to safety. Fifth round pick Nate Hairston reportedly has made strides in OTAs but veterans Darryl Morris and Rashaan Melvin are probably more prepared to take on the role. The Colts could have something special at safety this season. The team’s top pick Malik Hooker enters the league with a lot of hype (like Ed Reed comparisons) and if he lives up he can help change the Colts defense right away. Clayton Geathers is projected as the starting SS but is recovering from a neck injury and might not be ready for the start of the season. Overall the Colts still do have any difference makers rushing the passer as the front is filled with guys who are better vs the run and only decent rushing the passer. That could be a problem given the fact that they have a young unproven secondary which may feature up to three rookie starters. If the coverage is not air tight and the pass rush also is not great that will not bode well for the Colts pass defense. They also are very inexperienced at the off-line LB spots and appear to be lacking in talent. The Colts could be a little better on defense but overall I do not expect a lot from this group in 2017.