NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best passing attack this season?
By Ryan Heckman
22. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts will likely finish similarly to how they finished last season — 23rd. The quarterback position was anything but solved in 2022, with Matt Ryan and Sam Ehlinger taking most of the reps.
This season, the tides are turning as the Colts invested in who they hope to be their franchise quarterback, rookie Anthony Richardson out of Florida. With Richardson under center, the Colts’ rushing attack is far more dangerous, as if it wasn’t already scary with Jonathan Taylor back there.
Hopefully, the offensive line can show up a bit more than it did last year. Richardson needs time to develop, which means he needs time in the pocket. Indianapolis will likely be a run-heavy team, but that should set Richardson up to take some shots, and he’s got a cannon.
Richardson has some weapons in Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and a young, up-and-coming tight end who deserves to be used more in Jelani Woods. We’ll see what this unit can do.
Last year, the Colts finished 23rd, so moving up one spot would be an improvement. Still, they will lean heavily on Taylor and use Richardson’s legs, which will be more of a natural tendency for a young quarterback, especially if he is often under pressure.