The Indianapolis Colts unequivocally have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, which speaks volumes when you consider how young their collective age is.
Because of their youth, the Colts are set up to win for the foreseeable future, and their championship window will open even further as soon as they get some of their cornerstone pieces, like Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard, locked down long term.
We’d argue that the likes of Nelson and Leonard don’t get the level of national recognition their talent justifies, but that’s simply the consequence of being in the Indianapolis market compared to a city like New York, Dallas, Los Angeles or Chicago.
So, if superstars like Nelson and Leonard are already getting overlooked by the media, you can only imagine how some of the unsung heroes on the Colts are being treated. That got us thinking: who are some Colts players that aren’t getting enough respect entering 2021?
These three Colts players should be getting more respect.
3. Mo Alie-Cox
While we’ve been advocating for the Colts to trade for Zach Ertz, we’ve been equally consistent in our backing of Mo Alie-Cox. That might not make sense to some fans, but it just feels like Indy doesn’t trust the latter as much as they should, so why not bring in a proven commodity?
The start of last season indicated the Colts were finally going to unleash Alie-Cox, but he ultimately ended up playing just 46% of the offensive snaps, which seems criminal given how productive he was when he was on the field.
Despite having a limited role, however, Alie-Cox proved to be a dominant blocker and sure-handed target for quarterback Philip Rivers. In 15 games (six starts), the 27-year-old tight end hauled in 31 passes for 394 yards and two touchdowns.
Colts: Alie-Cox deserves to be treated like a No. 1 tight end.
Those are impressive numbers when you remember that Alie-Cox was battling the likes of Jack Doyle and Trey Burton for playing time. To put it simply, the former VCU basketball star is the best tight end on the Colts’ roster, and his snap count better reflect that next season…assuming the team doesn’t trade for Ertz.
Alie-Cox’s 12.7 yards per reception last year ranked third on the team for players who logged at least 30 catches. He also managed a 79.5% catch rate and his 1.9 yards per route was the highest on the Colts, according to Pro Football Focus.
As if that wasn’t enough to prove Alie-Cox deserves more respect, no other player on the roster had a higher win rate in pass protection. We’re not sure what Indy’s plans are for Alie-Cox, but he’d be fully justified to test free agency next offseason if his role doesn’t increase in 2021.
2. Kenny Moore
Kenny Moore has established himself a a crucial member of the Colts’ championship-caliber defense and Indianapolis actually has the Patriots to thank for that, after they cut him as an undrafted free agent during the 2017 preseason, freeing him up to land with Indy.
Pro Football Focus ranked Moore as their No. 1 slot cornerback entering the 2021 season, and rightfully so, given his run of dominance at the position. For context, the 25-year-old has logged a 90.0 run defense grade and 86.3 coverage grade since he was moved to the interior cornerback position on a permanent basis in 2018.
That’s a three-year sample size, folks, and that consistency saw Moore sign a four-year, $30 million extension with the Colts in 2019. At the time, the four-year pro had one year left on his deal, so the fact Indy was proactive in locking him up proves they understand his value.
Kenny Moore is an invaluable member of the Colts’ defense.
Listed at just 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, Moore plays bigger than his size and has the requisite length and athleticism to make plays on the ball. The Valdosta State product is equally effective regardless of what coverage the Colts are in (man, zone or press) and he’s one of the most dependable tacklers at the cornerback position.
As evidenced by his six career sacks, two of which were recorded last year, Moore is capable of applying presser from the edge, so he impacts the game in ways that don’t involve locking down opposing slot WRs. In 2020, he also finished fourth on the team in tackles (80), and first in both passes defended (13) and interceptions (four).
If there’s anyone on the Colts who deserves more respect, it’s Moore.
1. Braden Smith
The Colts’ offensive line is arguably the only level of their roster that gets the national attention it deserves. Despite that, however, it wouldn’t be surprising if some fans and pundits had no idea who right tackle Braden Smith was.
Unfortunately for Smith, that’s a consequence of being drafted in the same class as superstar duo Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard. With that being said, fans in Indianapolis are fully aware of what he brings to the table on a weekly basis.
Initially drafted to be a guard, Smith impressed during a start at right tackle against the Patriots during his rookie year in 2018 and has been the starter ever since. Over his first three years, he’s earned a combined 77.7 blocking grade from PFF, but you won’t hear folks outside of Indy mention his name while compiling a list the NFL’s best offensive linemen.
Colts: Braden Smith deserves to be treated like one of the best RTs in the NFL.
Smith is slowly morphing into one of the best young right tackles in the NFL, and his statistics from last year prove it. Over 937 snaps, the Auburn product conceded three penalties and zero sacks (!), while tallying an 80.1 overall blocking grade (74.8 passing, 79.3 running).
While fans in Indy are clamoring for the Colts to give Nelson and Leonard lucrative extensions this offseason, and understandably so, the same energy should be committed towards ensuring Smith’s long term future with the franchise.
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