2. Kwity Paye will have a 10-sack season
Massive season for the Colts 2021 first-round pick. He is eligible for an extension next season, so a solid year would help ease some doubts amongst fans and staff alike. Kwity Paye was a standout player at Michigan but had his time cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has shown flashes since being drafted but has never jumped off the screen with his abilities yet.
He has shown steady improvement with four sacks his rookie season and six sacks last season. With all players having a clean slate under the new Steichen regime, we will see Paye’s talent and pass-rushing ability finally come to fruition. Gus Bradley believes in him and with former Colt Yannick Ngakoue now in Chicago, this is Kwity Paye’s make-or-break season. He just needs to stay healthy.
1. The youth movement will prove to be the right path
The biggest concern for the defense (and the entire team) is the youth movement happening in Indianapolis. The team does not have any players over the age of 30 but we will find that to be helpful in the long run. This team is not built for a playoff run this season. They won four games last year and had no direction.
While very young in all places, this season is going to be about progress and belief. The fanbase has grown tired of band aids on solutions. The new coaching staff will have more accountability and better overall coaching than was received last season after Frank Reich was let go. The cornerback room is incredibly young but sometimes the best path is the difficult one. The reps they will get will prove to be invaluable and crucial to the future of this franchise.