Where did the Colts fall in NFL power rankings?
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: #22
"Their season is about keeping Anthony Richardson on the field. If he's healthy, they can win what is now a tough division."
Eric Edholm, NFL: #21
"There are a lot of arrows pointing in the right direction here, and yet, there’s just a little trepidation as we enter the unknown with Anthony Richardson. He’s clearly a gifted playmaker who can toy with defenses when he's at his very best, but health concerns and some so-so reports emergingfrom training camp and the preseason have me hedging just a tad. The range of outcomes for this team feels pretty big. If Richardson and an inexperienced secondary thrive, the Colts have the skill-position talent and depth in the trenches to make their first postseason run in a few years. But if not, they could fall as far as the basement of an improved AFC South. The former outcome feels more likely than the latter, but this is looking like a tough team to project this season."
Josh Kendall, New York Times: #18
"Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw 605 passes last season. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardsonhas thrown 768 passes … since middle school. The hype around Richardson may be warranted, but he’s going to need help this season. That means the Colts need Jonathan Taylor to be Jonathan Taylor again. Taylor hasn’t played a full season since his 1,811-yard output in 2021. He’s back at full health now and motivated to take the attention off Richardson."
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated: #16
"Absolutely feisty, the Colts are a team that will continue on last year’s path as one of the least enjoyable to play against in the NFL. Shane Steichen will make it work with Anthony Richardson. Ultimately, our concerns about Richardson taking Cam Newton–style knockout shots are absolutely valid. No matter anyone’s size, there is no player in the NFL who can escape the brutality of the game. Still, I cannot help but think about Laiatu Latu and DeForest Buckner absolutely wrecking games this year. This could be one of those seasons where GM Chris Ballard’s traits-forward selection process hits the big time."
Mike Florio, NBC Sports: #21
"They get an early chance to show everyone that the Texans shouldn’t be the presumed division champs."
Stephen Holder, NFL Nation, ESPN: #18
"The Colts traded up to select Cross in the third round of the 2022 draft, but it remains unclear whether he is a long-term solution in their defensive backfield. Cross has made four starts in two seasons and is still fighting to earn a spot in the starting lineup during this camp. He has played both strong and free safety, but coaches are still unsure what they will ultimately do with him. If he doesn't earn a starting role this season, his long-term future is cloudy, at best."
The Wright Way Sports Network: #28
"Who is Anthony Richardson? That is the question not just in Indianapolis, but also the question NFL fans and media members are asking throughout the country. He holds the key to the Colts in 2024."
Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: #18
"There was some angst over Anthony Richardson having an up-and-down performance in the Colts' preseason finale. Did people think Richardson was a polished NFL starting quarterback after four games last season? If you were one who was surprised that Richardson made some mistakes, that's more about unrealistic expectations than Richardson. Even the Colts know that the ride will be exhilarating, with some incredible highs and a lot of bumpy moments."
Diante Lee, The Ringer: #18
"Because of his arm talent and athleticism, there are things Anthony Richardson can do − in or out of structure − that the majority of NFL quarterbacks can't. He can get the ball into tight windows up the seams and in the middle of the field, and that puts enough stress on defenses to keep opponents from playing man coverage. With all the run-pass options and designed quarterback runs Shane Steichen will draw up for his young passer, I can't begrudge anyone who predicts the Colts will be the biggest risers in 2024. The defense is still an uncertainty, though, and it'll need Laiatu Latu to be an instant impact player to force the ball out of the quarterback's hands. Trying to break through in the AFC seems just out of reach unless Richardson plays at a near-MVP level."
Lou Scataglia, NFL SpinZone: #15
"The Indianapolis Colts went 9-8 in the 2023 NFL Season with Gardner Minshew starting a majority of the season. Minshew is out of the picture and second-year QB Anthony Richardson is back and healthy, but Richardson has never really been an efficient QB, so there is a ton of unknown here. His handful of games in 2023 kind of still make him a rookie heading in 2024.
The Colts also had a shaky defense in 2023. If the defense figures something out and Anthony Richardson is not a disaster, Indy could again finish with a winning record. However, like the Jets, there are a ton of unknowns with this team."