3 Colts players who could be nice surprises in 2024

JuJu Brents, Cornerback

JuJu Brents showed some real flashes of potential as a rookie last season. Unfortunately, injury issues limited him to just nine games. But, he started in eight of those games and played 82 percent of all of the defensive snaps that he was available for. He especially excelled in press cover where he allowed a successful play when targeted just 43.2 percent of the time -- the fifth-lowest rate in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.

The Colts were understandably happy with what they saw from the 24-year old, albiet in limited action.

“At the end of the day with JuJu, he’s very talented,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said of Brents after the season. “He cares deeply. We think he’s going to really be an excellent player, but he’s got to be healthy and he’s got to practice. That’s how you get better. He’s a great kid and he cares. When he played, he played well.”

Brents has already earned the respect of his teammates, too.

"I love the way that JuJu Brents competes," linebacker Zaire Franklin said after the Colts Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Assuming he's healthy, he's going to have a major role in Indianapolis' secondary next season.