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Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers Vying For Colts Starting CB Job; JuJu Brents Likely To Start

July 4th, 2024 at 10:40am CST by Sam Robinson

An early-May report indicated the Colts could be in the market for veteran help in the secondary. Boundary cornerback would seemingly be the team’s focus here. In between the offseason program and training camp, however, no such signing transpired.

The Colts, who ranked 28th in pass defense last season, included slot ace Kenny Moore among their spate of re-signings but have questions about both outside cornerback posts. One of those spots looks to be earmarked for JuJu Brents, per The Athletic’s James Boyd, but the other position will bring competition (subscription required).

[RELATED: Nick Cross In Lead For Starting S Role]

Brents may not be a true lock to start, but the Colts chose him in the 2023 second round and used him as an eight-game starter last season. Brents was sidelined for two extended stretches, though he did suit up for the team’s final four games. Pro Football Focus slotted Brents 66th among corners last season.

Opposite the Indianapolis native, the Colts feature uncertainty. The team drafted two corners, selecting Jaylin Simpson in Round 5 and Micah Abraham in Round 6, but Boyd points to Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers as the primary competitors for the boundary job opposite Brents.

A 10-game starter last season, Jones worked with the first-stringers for most of the Colts’ offseason workouts. The team drafted Jones in the 2023 seventh round, and the Texas A&M product made the quick move into the starting lineup. Brents missing eight games and Flowers going down with an Achilles tear in early October contributed to this, and PFF ranked Jones 94th last season. He was charged with five touchdowns allowed. Flowers made five starts in two seasons, working behind Stephon Gilmore and the Isaiah Rodgers–Brandon Facyson tandem in 2022, but the Division II product was working with the starters each week before going down last year.

The Colts clearly believe in their current nucleus, as their batch of re-signings and extensions — headlined by the likes of Moore, Julian Blackmon, Michael Pittman Jr., DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart — illustrate, but the team having employed Moore and still ranking in the bottom five in pass defense seems to point toward a deficiency at a rather key area.

Options are limited, as could be expected, weeks away from camp. Xavien Howard is not expected to be a Colts consideration, Boyd adds, due to the the civil suit that came up since his Dolphins release. Another potential option, Steven Nelson, retired after nine seasons. Adoree’ Jackson remains available ahead of his age-29 campaign, as does Gilmore, who will turn 34 in September. Patrick Peterson is also available ahead of his age-34 season.

Indy only has two non-homegrown players — Buckner and Samson Ebukam — projected to start (Moore technically counts, as a Patriots UDFA, but he was a Colt before his rookie season started). In the free agency era, that is obviously a rather low number. As of now, the team is preparing to roll out an entirely homegrown secondary. The Flowers-Jones competition may change that, but for the time being, Indy’s inward-focused plan extends to cornerback.

Nick Cross In Lead For Colts Starting S Role

July 3rd, 2024 at 5:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

Julian Blackmon spent a notable amount of time on the free agent market, but he ultimately re-signed with the Colts. Indianapolis has one starting safety spot locked up as a result, but the other is up for grabs.

Similar to slot corner Kenny Moore, Blackmon is a rare known commodity in the Colts’ secondary at the moment. The team has a number of options at both the cornerback and safety positions, many of whom are lacking in experience. At the latter spot, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II are the primary contenders for a starting position.

It was Cross who took the majority of first-team reps during OTAs and minicamp, James Boyd of The Athletic writes (subscription required). The 2022 third-rounder entered the league with high expectations, and he earned a start in each of his first two games during his rookie season. Between that point and the final two weeks of the 2023 campaign, however, Cross was relegated to backup duties.

The 22-year-old has primarily played on special teams to date, but he has contributed 56 tackles, one interception and two pass deflections on defense. Cross was replaced as a starter by veteran Rodney McLeod Jr. in 2022, but no such presence is on the Colts’ safety depth chart at the moment. Ronnie Harrison Jr. has spent considerable time on the backend in his career, but Boyd notes he is likely to remain in the linebacking role he took on with Indianapolis last season.

Thomas (a seventh-rounder in Cross’ draft class) has 34 appearances and 25 starts to his name. He has produced six interceptions and 10 pass deflections, but struggles in coverage have been a factor in his career as well. The 26-year-old has two years remaining on his rookie deal, and he could essentially swap roles with Cross with respect to third phase duties if the spring pecking order carries over into the season.

Indianapolis selected Jaylon Carlies and Jaylin Simpson in the fifth round of this year’s draft, giving the team developmental backup safety options. Several veterans at the position remain unsigned, however, and members of that group are not expected to cost much for interested teams. To little surprise, then, Boyd echoes previously-expressed sentiments that the Colts could be suitors for an addition capable of pushing Cross and Thomas for starting duties. Indianapolis currently has nearly $26MM in cap space.

Colts DE Kwity Paye Not Eyeing 2024 Extension Agreement

July 2nd, 2024 at 2:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

Earlier this offseason, the Colts elected to pick up Kwity Paye‘s fifth-year option. The ascending edge rusher is therefore on the books through 2025, and neither team nor player appears to be interested in working out an extension in the near future.

A report in May indicated the Colts have not engaged in extension talks with Paye, who has seen incremental improvement in production during each of his three seasons in the NFL. The former No. 21 pick is part of an edge contingent which also features the likes of Dayo Odeyingbo, Samson Ebukam and first-round rookie Laiatu Latu. His performance working alongside them will go a long way in determining his value on a second Colts contract.

“I’m excited that [general manager] Chris Ballard picked up my fifth year,” Paye said in an interview with Justin Melo of the Draft Network. “I see it as a prove-it thing now more than anything. I want to prove that I’m what this team needs in a pass rusher moving forward. I’m going to get out there and get the sacks, get the production.

“After I do that, we’ll have those contract discussions next offseason. For the most part, I’m not really worried about that [in 2024]. I’m worried about having my best season yet. We’ll discuss all that other stuff next offseason.”

Paye, 25, has started all 43 of his games and logged a steady defensive snap share during that span. Further progress both against the run and in the pass-rush department would help the Colts’ defense (a unit which was already strong up front last year) as well as his bargaining power. Paye could make a case for a deal near the top of the edge market if he takes a notable step forward in 2024, especially if the salary cap continues to rise and Indianapolis remains committed to quarterback Anthony Richardson on his rookie deal.

The Colts are currently on track to sit mid-pack with respect to cap space next offseason, although plenty of things will change in that respect between now and then. Part of the team’s plan will be centered on whether or not a lucrative Paye commitment will be worthwhile, and he appears to be content letting his 2024 performance dictate his value.

Colts’ Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell To Compete For Starting WR Spot

June 28th, 2024 at 1:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Colts have Michael Pittman Jr. on the books for three more years, and he is set to reprise his role as the team’s top receiver. Indianapolis has consistently made draft investments aimed at providing strong complementary options in the passing game, though, and a competition for a starting spot is on hand this summer.

Pittman inked a three-year deal including $41MM fully guaranteed after receiving the franchise tag. That pact is one of several major commitments made at the position around the league, but the Colts have a number of other pass-catching options attached to rookie contracts. That includes 2023 third-rounder Josh Downs, who had a strong rookie season and figures to log a heavy workload in the slot moving forward.

The other perimeter starting spot is up for grabs. Over the past two years, it has belonged to Alec Pierce, but the 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact early in his career. Drafted in the second round in 2022, Pierce’s abilities as a deep threat have resulted in a yards-per-catch average of 15.2, but he has managed only 73 receptions so far. A more diverse workload could see him receive more targets, but the team’s latest rookie class includes new competition for a first-team role.

Adonai Mitchell is set to compete with Pierce for the WR3 role this summer, as detailed by ESPN’s Stephen Holder. The Texas alum enjoyed a strong season in 2023, making him one of two intriguing Longhorns wideouts in the 2024 class. Mitchell emerging as a key contributor during his rookie season could cut into Pierce’s impact in the offense, something which in turn would of course not bode well for his future in Indianapolis. Two years remain on the latter’s contract.

The Colts ranked 10th in the league in rushing last season, one in which quarterback Anthony Richardson was severely limited through injury. To no surprise, that resulted in a ranking of only 20th in terms of production through the air, something the team will look to rebound from with a healthy Richardson. Better output from the receiver spot will also help in that regard, and the competition between Mitchell and Pierce for first-team duties will be a key summer storyline.

TE Mo Alie-Cox On Colts’ Roster Bubble?

June 27th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Mo Alie-Cox has spent his entire career with the Colts, providing the team with a consistent contributor at the tight end position. The veteran’s contract could put his roster spot at risk this summer, though.

Alie-Cox is attached to by far the most lucrative tight end pact on Indianapolis’ roster. The 30-year-old is entering the final season of his three-year, $17.55MM extension, and he is set to carry a cap hit of $5.92MM in 2024. With no guaranteed salary included, however, the Colts would save that full amount in cap space by releasing or trading him.

The team has a number of in-house options at the tight end spot as things stand. 2022 third-rounder Jelani Woods flashed potential as a rookie with three touchdowns and a 12.5 yards per catch average, but he missed all of last season due to hamstring issues. Woods has the potential to serve as Indianapolis’ lead tight end, and doing so could make Alie-Cox an expensive luxury on the depth chart.

For that reason, The Athletic’s James Boyd writes the Colts could elect to turn to younger options behind Woods and move on from Alie-Cox this offseason (subscription required). Indianapolis has recent draftees Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree and Will Mallory in the fold and all are on low-cost deals. Boyd adds a commitment to an inexperienced group could allow the Colts to remove the log jam by moving on from Alie-Cox.

The latter joined Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and he made his debut one year later. Alie-Cox has since served as a strong run blocker while chipping in as a pass-catcher. His best statistical stretch came in the 2020 and ’21 seasons when he combined for 710 yards and six touchdowns. The campaigns since then have included a downturn in production, but Alie-Cox’s absence would nevertheless be felt if the team were to cut ties.

Indianapolis currently has just under $26MM in cap space, so retaining Alie-Cox would be feasible from a financial perspective. Still, the presence of several other, younger contenders for roster spots will make his training camp performances something to monitor.

Latest On Colts QB Anthony Richardson

June 26th, 2024 at 8:26pm CST by Ely Allen

The Colts rolled into the 2023 NFL season looking forward to No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson leading their team as the quarterback of the future. Unfortunately, just over a month into the season, the Florida rookie underwent season-ending shoulder surgery with only four starts under his belt. On The GM Shuffle podcast this week, Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard gave the most recent update to Richardson’s health.

Since the initial injury news, we’ve seen an in-season update confirming that Richardson would not require a second surgery to repair his AC joint injury and an update in February that he had started throwing again, shortly after the conclusion of the postseason. Most recently, we heard at the end of March that the 22-year-old was on track to participate in spring practices.

Richardson was, indeed, able to participate this spring. He was reportedly a full participant in organized team activities recently, only minimizing his workload on the final day of OTAs after two heavy throwing sessions in the days before. He was even a reported full participant on Day 1 of minicamp, though he left Day 2 early and was not in attendance on Day 3.

Reports have come in that Richardson’s lack of participation was due to shoulder soreness. While that’s reasonably understandable following two days of heavy throwing, it’s still a bit of a concern following the nature of Richardson’s injury.

Despite the implication that such soreness and reserved participation point to his injury not being 100 percent healed, head coach Shane Steichen and Richardson himself both insist that his absence was merely a precaution. The Colts maintain that Richardson’s soreness and lack of participation at the end of minicamp will have no impact on Richardson’s participation in training camp. The second-year passer is expected to be “full go” at camp this summer.

The offense around Richardson will look much the same upon his return. The main differences are that, after minimal work with All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor as a rookie, the two should get to share the field a bit more in 2024. Additionally, Richardson will have a new target in second-round receiver Adonai Mitchell. He’ll also have a new mentor as the Colts essentially exchanged primary backup quarterback Gardner Minshew for veteran Joe Flacco, both of whom served their teams well in injury replacement duty last year.

Latest On Colts’ RB Depth

June 24th, 2024 at 7:39pm CST by Ben Levine

The Colts ended their standoff with Jonathan Taylor last October, assuring the running back would stick in Indy for the foreseeable future. With the former All-Pro locked in, the Colts front office had to watch as key backup Zack Moss took a starting gig with the Bengals this offseason.

Taylor has missed 13 games over the past two years, meaning the Colts RB2 should be in line for a significant role. With that in mind, ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes that veteran Trey Sermon is the “likeliest option” to take over that top backup gig following a standout performance at OTAs. Holder points out how Sermon’s “hard-running style” could be appealing to the Colts, and his familiarity with the offense gives him some leeway for the RB2 job.

The former third-round pick collected 193 yards with the 49ers as a rookie, but he was quickly squeezed out of a crowded RBs room. He spent the 2022 campaign in Philly before catching on with the Colts last year. He ended up getting into 14 games with Indy, collecting 173 yards from scrimmage.

He should see an uptick in those numbers next season, even if Taylor remains relatively healthy. The team doesn’t have many other experienced options at the position, although both Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson bring their own intrigue. Hull was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, but the Northwestern product spent the majority of his rookie campaign on IR. Goodson was also on the Colts in 2023, collecting 121 yards on 19 touches. Zavier Scott and Trent Pennix round out the depth chart.

“I love the room,” Sermon said of his fellow RBs (via Locked On Colts on YouTube). “Everybody’s a little bit different, but we’re all great running backs. We compete, we push each other. If one of us makes a big play, we’re all excited for each other.”

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/7/24

June 7th, 2024 at 6:53pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves as we head into the weekend:

Cleveland Browns

Jacksonville Jaguars

Philadelphia Eagles

After getting drafted in the third round out of Ohio State, Davis has yet to make a start in his first three seasons. Despite competing for a starting job in the offseason before his sophomore campaign in Minnesota, Davis was waived as part of the team’s final roster cuts. Since then, he’s bounced around from the Giants to the Saints, Cardinals, and back to New York. He’ll now add some depth in Cleveland.

Anderson finds his away to Jacksonville shortly after getting waived by the division-rival Colts yesterday. The Texas Tech-product saw his biggest contribution in 12 games with two starts in 2022 for the Giants.

Like Davis and Anderson, Nickerson has bounced between several teams since entering the NFL. After being drafted by the Jets in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Nickerson has spent a year apiece with New York, the Jaguars, the Packers, the Vikings, and most recently, the Dolphins, also spending part of 2019 with the Seahawks. He joins his seventh team in six years with Philadelphia.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/6/24

June 6th, 2024 at 6:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Indianapolis Colts

  • Signed: CB Clay Fields III, WR Derek Slywka
  • Placed on IR: S Daniel Scott
  • Waived: C Jack Anderson

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Reverted to IR: WR David White

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Waived: RB Hassan Hall

New England Patriots

  • Signed: WR JaQuae Jackson
  • Waived: WR T.J. Luther

New York Jets

  • Waived/failure to disclose physical condition: DL Tyreek Johnson

The Colts chose Scott in the 2023 fifth round, but they will see him miss a second full season due to injury. Scott suffered a torn Achilles during OTAs last week, per the Indianapolis Star’s Joel Erickson. This marks the second time Scott has gone down before Colts training camp; he sustained an ACL tear during spring workouts last year. The Colts chose Scott 158th overall out of Cal.

Best known for a 12-game Giants tenure that featured two starts in 2022, Anderson found his way to the Colts last year. The team used the young O-lineman in one game and extended him in March. A seventh-round Bills draftee in 2021, Anderson also started a game for the Eagles in 2021.

Colts Sign Round 2 WR Adonai Mitchell, Wrap Draft Class Deals

June 4th, 2024 at 2:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Four Day 2 picks are now part of the Colts’ wide receiver depth chart — to the point the most recent of those selections might not start early. But Adonai Mitchell will almost definitely see a key role for Indianapolis before season’s end.

The Colts used the No. 52 overall pick on Mitchell, and the team now has the former Texas pass catcher signed to his four-year rookie contract. Mitchell’s contract continues the second-round contingent’s gains this year. The Colts are guaranteeing 65% of Mitchell’s rookie deal, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, who notes $700K of the wideout’s 2026 base salary is locked in.

Last year’s No. 52 overall pick, Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet, did not receive any Year 3 guarantees. Neither did No. 50 overall choice Jayden Reed. After the Texans guaranteed 4% of Blake Fisher‘s Year 3 base salary, Mitchell’s contract will further move the needle for players chosen just beyond No. 50 overall. These terms will certainly benefit the rest of the players in this draft sector. Mitchell can now focus on earning an early role with a Colts team that has been active on Day 2 with wideouts in the 2020s.

Although Indy’s Parris Campbell investment did not pan out, the team has shown a Steelers-like commitment to adding wideouts this way. After a few seasons as the team’s No. 1 target, Michael Pittman Jr. signed a three-year, $70MM extension. Alec Pierce (Round 2, 2022), Josh Downs (Round 3, 2023) and Mitchell flank the 2020 second-rounder. Mitchell comes to Indiana after a belated college breakout.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wideout caught 55 passes for 845 yards and Big 12-most 11 touchdowns last season. A 2023 transfer to Texas undoubtedly boosted Mitchell’s draft stock, as he was not especially productive as a Georgia underclassman from 2021-22. The relocation helped Texas as well, lifting the program to the CFP semifinals. Although Mitchell did not top 450 receiving yards during either of his Bulldogs seasons, the Colts will bet on the 2023 Longhorn’s size-speed combination. Mitchell blazed to a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Indianapolis has been a Pittman-dependent aerial operation for years, though Downs (771 yards) showed immediate promise from the slot during Gardner Minshew‘s season at the controls. The Colts have seen Pierce eclipse 500 yards in each of his two seasons, though the team drafted the Cincinnati alum during Frank Reich‘s tenure. Downs and Mitchell came in under Shane Steichen. Regardless of coach affiliation, the Colts have all four of their Day 2 wideouts signed beyond 2024. That creates an interesting setup for a team that will hope to keep Anthony Richardson healthy as the high-end talent aims to improve as a passer.

This signing wraps the Colts’ 2024 draft class. Ahead of Indianapolis’ minicamp, here is how Chris Ballard‘s latest haul breaks down:

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