Where does Colts roster rank in AFC South following the 2023 NFL Draft?

Following the 2023 NFL Draft, which team in the AFC South has the best roster and which team has the worst? Where do the Indianapolis Colts fall?

The AFC South is the worst division in football. That was evident last season, and expectations aren’t that high for this season either. However, the future appears to be bright for the division. In the 2023 NFL Draft, all four teams added several promising players, and the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans put together really exciting classes.

So now, the question is: which team in the division has the best roster? When all of the new, promising players are added to the mix with the established veterans, which team in the AFC South has the best roster top to bottom?

Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated answered that in a recent piece where he ranked all four rosters in the division. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, Verderame believes that the Colts have the worst roster in the AFC South.

Colts ranked worst roster in AFC South

Verderame admitted that it was tough making the decision between Indy and Houston for the worst roster in the division, but ultimately chose the Colts. Verderame’s explanation for why was a question, asking, “Name one player you would reliably say is going to the Pro Bowl.” Verderame argues that Quenton Nelson may be the only name because Shaquille Leonard has been battling injury and Jonathan Taylor is playing behind a struggling offensive line.

Verderame even gave DeForest Buckner a mention but ultimately said, “Still, we’re talking about an interior offensive lineman, running back, off-ball linebacker and a defensive tackle,” seemingly alluding to a positional value concept. All that’s to say that Indianapolis has the worst roster in the AFC South.

However, that’s a hard sell. The Colts arguably have just as much young talent as the Texans, but with better established veterans. Yes, Indy is coming off a down season, but it has three players who have a legitimate case at being the best at their position, along with several other players that have been dominant in the NFL.

That didn't translate to wins last season, but Indianapolis was battling through a lot. There’s no way you can look at every roster in the AFC South and say for certain that the Colts have the worst one. Indy certainly has a better roster than Houston and may even have a better roster than the Tennessee Titans. But ultimately, all that matters is who has the better record.

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