NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
Indianapolis Colts
, AFC South
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2017 season with one of the best quarterback in the AFC, as Andrew Luck should finally be healthy. Luck had surgery on his shoulder in January, ending two years of pain from a hit during a Tennessee Titans game back in 2015. The team has struggled the past two seasons, and despite the AFC South being very tough in 2017, the Colts could find a way to sneak away with the division.
Indianapolis has both of their top wideouts back this season, as T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief sit atop the depth chart. In addition to Philip Dorsett, the team will also have Kamar Aiken, who they signed via free agency. Jack Doyle is a very capable tight end, and the team spent one of their draft picks to bolster their running game, selecting Marlon Mack from the University of South Florida. He will join Ronald Turbin and Frank Gore in the backfield.
The defense may be an issue, but they definitely got better in the secondary via the draft. Safety Malik Hooker and cornerback Quincy Wilson should both start as rookies, joining Vontae Davis in a pretty deep defensive backfield. They are going to need to control guys like Marcus Mariota of the Titans if they wish to come away with the division, and they may have enough defensive backs to do so.
Luck should have another solid season, and the schedule begins with a few winnable games in the first three weeks. They will play the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns early, giving them what should be a nice start to the season. A healthy Luck should enable the team to improve on an 8-8 record from a year ago, but will nine wins be enough to win a division headlined by the Titans and Houston Texans.