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2023 mid-season awards for the Indianapolis Colts

As the Indianapolis Colts return from their bye week at .500, these players have more than proven their worth to the NFL's third-youngest roster.

By Sean Ackerman

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AMFOOT-GER-NFL-COLTS-PATRIOTS / KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/GettyImages
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Colts mid-season Most Improved Player: DE Dayo Odeyingbo

Dayo Odeyingbo has been an absolute monster for the Colts this year. With six sacks already, the 2021 second-round pick has already doubled his career totals after an incredible performance against Mac Jones and the New England Patriots in Week 10.

While there's been a few Colts that could win this, Odeyingbo has been a consistent playmaker this season alongside DeForest Buckner. Parallel to Buckner, Dayo has two forced fumbles on the year along with one fumble recovery. The former Vanderbilt man will aim to be the first Colt with ten sacks in a season since Justin Houston in 2019.

Colts mid-season Rookie of the Year: WR Josh Downs

It'd be great to give this award to Anthony Richardson or JuJu Brents, but they simply haven't played enough football. Thankfully, Colts fans have been blessed to watch rookie Josh Downs go to work. With 523 yards on the season, Downs finds himself as the Colts' second-leading receiver on the year behind Michael Pittman Jr.

Among rookies across the league Downs ranks top five in both receptions and receiving yards, giving an instant boost to a Colts receiving corps that desperately needed help. With pressure on Gardner Minshew II to limit mistakes, look for the quarterback to target Downs more as he only has one drop on the year.

Colts mid-season Comeback Player of the Year: C Ryan Kelly

The offensive line is in the midst of a massive bounce-back year, and center Ryan Kelly has been at the heart of it all. Kelly is responsible for zero sacks on the year, giving both quarterbacks plenty of time in the pocket.

After the unit allowed 60 sacks last year (second-most in the league), the Colts have only given up 22 through Week 11. The next few weeks won't be easy for Kelly as he faces off against some of the NFL's best defensive tackles in Vita Vea, Jeffery Simmons, and Cameron Heyward. If the Colts can win the battle on the line against these stars, running back Jonathan Taylor could be in prime position for some breakout games.

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