Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts on the Colts last two preseason games, which were both wins over the Bears and Eagles (although no one really cares about those outcomes).

QUARTERBACK: The only thing that matters in most people’s eyes is the status of QB Anthony Richardson. He had a really strong week of practice against the Bears a couple weeks ago, but then sat out the preseason game in a little bit of a surprise move – especially since he was declared the regular season starter heading into that game. I would have thought they would have at least wanted him to see what it felt like on his home field and get those jitters out of the way in preseason before the opener on September 10. Against the Eagles he had a bit of an up and down week again at practice – making electric plays with his ludicrous athleticism, and then also showing some accuracy issues and a couple of rookie mistakes under pressure. In the game the accuracy was definitely subpar as he was only 6-17 for 78 yards, but several of the completions were brilliant and difficult throws. He did also rush 5-38 while playing the entire first half, several times escaping from likely sacks and picking up good yardage. He also had two long runs called back on penalties behind the play. He was elusive in the backfield and did run some, but he keeps looking downfield and his first instinct is to look to pass and not just tuck it and blaze too early. In a half of work, he scored 7.7 fantasy points without scoring any TDs and having some serious accuracy issues and several drops. He is going to be a Justin Fields-like cheat code at QB even without significant improvements in the passing offense since he should rush for 50+ yards minimum every week. He should easily top 800 rushing yards, which basically guarantees him to be posting over 18-20 PPG. Don’t sleep on him. The backup position is also very solid with QB Gardner Minshew hitting on crazy 88% of his passes for 2 TDs and no picks in the preseason through three games with a stellar rating of 124

RUNNING BACK: The only other story generating national buzz and with fantasy impact is the continuing saga surrounding RB Jonathan Taylor. Two seemingly contradictory things happened just this week, starting with the Colts giving him permission to seek a trade. My gut feeling is that they are calling his bluff, knowing that the depressed running back market will keep any team from ponying up enough trade capital to get him, knowing that they also need to extend him at top dollar. If they wanted to do that, they could have had Austin Ekeler for likely less earlier this year, or even Dalvin Cook, Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs for little-to-no trade capital. Only six teams called, and two made offers, according to reports. Then despite the seeming bad blood and his allegedly injured status (he is still on PUP), Taylor traveled with the team to Philly for the game this week while several other key injured players did not. This sure looked like he and the team are both willing and able to keep him as a part of the team. I think Taylor will end up playing for the Colts this season and that they will give him a new deal either late this year or in the offseason, franchise tagging him if they need to keep him in house. RB Deon Jackson and RB Evan Hull basically split the 1^st half snaps in the backfield, although I still believe they will be behind RB Zack Moss when he returns around week 1 from his broken forearm.

RECEIVER: There was a big loss this month as depth receiver and special teams ace WR Ashton Dulin was lost for the season. While the receiver crew is uninspiring as individuals, it is deep enough to overcome his loss on the offense with no problem. The real challenge will be on special teams where Dulin has been one of the best gunners in the league and was 2^nd-team All-Pro last year. WR Michael Pittman is probably still going to be the main target in the passing game, and WR Alec Pierce has shown some priority as a downfield target in camp and preseason. I do believe WR Josh Downs will be the slot guy, moreso than I believe in veteran free agent signee WR Isaiah McKenzie, but neither should be on your fantasy roster (aside from Downs in a dynasty format)

TIGHT END: Some tough choices are looming in the tight end room as a lot of the young guys have shown some intriguing flashes. Some of the guysthat really could be on the outside looking in… might be the only real veterans in the group, TE Mo Alie-Cox, TE Ricky Seals-Jones and TE Pharoah Brown. This is because 2^nd year giant TE Jelani Woods does everything they do but is faster and bigger. The other young guys all drafted in the last few seasons are simply more athletic and have more upside. There definitely will be tight ends cut by the Colts this week that will be playing on other teams this year, and likely within a few days.

DEFENSE: The defense has looked okay, but unspectacular. They need to generate some big plays like they did in 2021 because the loss of those turnovers is what really derailed the 2022 season way more than did the quarterback play and O-line injuries. The Colts were #2 behind Dallas’s crazy numbers in 2021 with a +13 turnover ratio, but slipped to dead last in 2022 with a -14. A lot of that shift was due to the absence of turnover machine LB Shaq Leonard, who is in the concussion protocol after finally returning to practice and limited play in the first preseason game. He has not practiced much this week, and did not travel to Philly this week. Getting him back -- and back to playing like he did before his back issue -- is the key to this defense being at least average in 2023.

INJURIES: Versatile interior OL Danny Pinter was carted off during the Philly game on the first play after halftime with what looked to be a serious ankle injury. With the depth already in question for the O-line, this could be a sneakily major blow to the offense. Other than that and the guys already mentioned on IR or the concussion protocol or the PUP list, the team is pretty healthy. In other injury related good news, P Rigoberto Sanchez appears to have no lasting effect of his season-ending Achilles rupture during camp last year.

That is all for the preseason from the Crossroads of America. I will be back in about 11-12 days to preview the home opener as the Colts will host their AFC South rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Until then friends….good luck in your drafts and have a great rest of the summer. It’s almost time for the NFL regular season to begin!!!!

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