Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
What the Indianapolis Colts have completed this offseason to construct round Anthony Richardson hasn’t piqued nationwide curiosity. Actually not in the best way their AFC South rivals have completed for his or her quarterbacks.
The Texans added Professional Bowlers Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. The Titans invested in Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and Tyler Boyd. The Jaguars added Gabe Davis in free company and used their first-round choose on LSU’s Brian Thomas Jr., who led the FBS in receiving touchdowns final season.
The Colts did not spend large cash on an exterior offensive talent participant this offseason (or any in any respect, as a matter of reality). Did not use their high choose on one, both.
And but, the Colts have a robust basis round Richardson.
We can’t know for positive till soccer is performed, after all. However one should begin with the tandem of Richardson and star operating again Jonathan Taylor, who performed simply two snaps collectively final season.
The twin-threat Richardson flashed potential as Indianapolis’ franchise quarterback within the 173 snaps he performed as a rookie. And after lacking the primary 4 video games of 2023 on the Bodily Unable to Carry out record, and lacking one other three in December because of a thumb damage, Taylor had returned to his All-Professional type by the top of the season.
NFL defenses have not but skilled how a Richardson-Taylor backfield throws them into battle.
There’s an entire facet to educate Shane Steichen’s playbook that we’ve not seen.
“To get these guys reps within the offseason program and going into coaching camp and getting a really feel for one another within the backfield goes to be crucial to our success shifting ahead,” Steichen stated final month. “I feel the communication half is large. Simply them being within the backfield collectively, speaking that method, the ball-handling facet of it’s large. That is a part of their deal, proper? They will have plenty of ball dealing with stuff that we have gotta get wired up with these two guys within the backfield whether or not it is handing the ball off, a zone-read play, no matter it could be. However going by way of that course of, throwing to him out of the backfield and all these various things. That half goes to be enormous this offseason and coaching camp going into the season.”
Even and not using a high free agent or first-round choose added, the Colts’ extensive receiver room is positioned to be stronger than it was final season.
The rising rapport between Richardson and standout Michael Pittman Jr., who signed a three-year, $68 million extension in March, is on the high of the record. With no less than 900 receiving yards in three of his 4 NFL seasons, together with 1,000 yards in two of the final three years, Pittman has by no means had the identical quarterback for back-to-back seasons. And in 2024, he’ll have the ability to choose up from the place he left with Richardson, who performed 4 video games as a rookie.
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Slot receiver Josh Downs, who had 68 receptions for 771 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, ought to naturally make a step ahead in Yr 2 too. Regardless of battling a lingering knee damage all year long, he broke the franchise’s single-season report for receptions by a rookie. He has stated he is wholesome getting into 2024.
The most important beneficiary of Richardson’s return is likely to be Alec Pierce, who specializes as a deep menace on the surface. He was tied for eighth within the NFL final season with 16.1 yards per reception. However Gardner Minshew, Pierce’s quarterback for many of the season, struggled to push the ball down the sector. 52.2 % of Minshew’s throws traveled 10 air yards or fewer, the very best price among the many 19 quarterbacks who performed no less than 500 dropbacks, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. That modifications with Richardson. Within the 4 video games the previous Florida star began in 2023 — Weeks 1-2, 4 and 5 — Indianapolis ranked tenth in explosive passes (21), per Professional Soccer Focus.
And in former Texas star Adonai Mitchell, the Colts bought a bonafide first-round expertise and a steal at No. 52 general. He scored 5 touchdowns in 5 School Soccer Playoff video games at Georgia and Texas, exhibiting his capability to ship on the largest stage.
Tight finish Jelani Woods might be sliding below the radar nationally as nicely. Ready group that’s deep however lacks a longtime No. 1 choice, Woods has essentially the most upside as a 6-foot-7 dominant athlete. He had 25 receptions for 312 yards and three touchdowns as a third-round rookie in 2022, however missed the whole thing of final season on injured reserve with a hamstring damage. He represents a giant goal for Richardson.
“The way in which we have constructed it — it has been examined over time. Should you construct issues inside out it will final, you are going to be aggressive,” common supervisor Chris Ballard stated earlier this month. “You do not have these enormous swings and rides 12 months to 12 months. We felt robust concerning the roster and what we did in free company, and once more within the draft. I feel it is simply conserving (Richardson) upright and wholesome. It will likely be enjoyable to observe.”
Even when the hype is not there.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a 12 months and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to shifting to Tennessee. You possibly can comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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