Colts deserve more respect in NFL Spin Zone’s roster ranking

The Indianapolis Colts are as ready as they’ll ever be to make a charge at the AFC South crown this year. With Matt Ryan in place at quarterback instead of Carson Wentz and the league’s top running back in Jonathan Taylor, Frank Reich will have this group competing until the last whistle sounds.

Where Indianapolis can separate from the rival Tennessee Titans is the strength of their roster from top to bottom. With several big-name additions on the defensive side of the ball, a unit that was formerly manned by Matt Eberflus may actually exceed what the squad did last year.

Even with all of this positive momentum coming Indy’s way, it appears that some remained unconvinced about what Chris Ballard is building over there. Some rankings have the Colts pegged as a .500 team rather than someone capable of competing for a championship.

NFL Spin Zone’s ranking of all 32 NFL teams’ rosters had the Colts firmly in the middle of the pack at No. 16. While that was the highest rating for any team in the AFC South, it looks like Ryan and the Colts still aren’t getting as much love as they should from the national media.

How good is the Indianapolis Colts’ roster?

In addition to the ageless Ryan and dominant Taylor on the offensive end, Indianapolis is supplemented by one of the best offensive lines in football. That can’t be understated or undervalued, especially when Ryan is an aging quarterback who has never been the most fleet of foot.

On defense, Darius Leonard and new signing Stephon Gilmore will give the squad two instant contenders for the All-Pro team. While the defensive line might not be historically good right now, Kwity Paye emerging into a potential Pro Bowler would do wonders for that unit.

Indianapolis’ biggest holes remain at wide receiver and tight end. Unless rookies like Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods start to fulfill their potential instantly, it’s fair to head into this season with a degree of skepticism about that part of the roster. Is that enough to put them 16th?

The Colts may not end the season with a ring on their finger, but saying that they aren’t even in the top half of teams across the NFL despite their fantastic offseason is a bit harsh. If Ryan is as good as he was in Atlanta, Reich and the Colts have more than enough firepower to make the haters eat their words.

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