Indianapolis Colts 2023 Training Camp Preview
After a tumultuous, injury-riddled 2022 season that saw the Indianapolis Colts finish 4-12-1 with the NFL’s worst turnover differential, the Colts are entering a brand new phase with Shane Steichen as head coach and quarterback Anthony Richardson–the No. 4 over pick–behind center. They’re not expected to be a playoff squad in 2023, but it’s hard to have a more disappointing run than last season. Let’s take a look at their 2023 team preview ahead of training camp!
Three Position Battles to Watch:
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson v. Gardner Minshew
We’re roughly two months from Week 1 and we still don’t have a big grasp on who the starting quarterback will be between Richardson and Gardner Minshew, who has experience in Steichen’s offense. Richardson lacks experience, starting only 13 games at Florida, and has accuracy issues. Minshew is a good stopgap for allowing Richardson more time to develop if need be, but the Colts would probably want their prized rookie to get reps at some point. Regardless, this figures to be one of the NFL’s more intriguing quarterback battles entering 2023.
Cornerback: Julius Brents v. Darius Rush
Without Stephon Gilmore and Isaiah Rodgers–who was suspended (and released) for the season for gambling–the cornerback position is arguably the weakest on this Colts’ roster. Both Brents, a second-round pick in the 2023 Draft, and Rush, drafted in the 5th round, are bigger corners with good frame physically. Brents could own a better chance of earning the gig because of his pedigree with Kenny Moore/Dallis Flowers on the other side, but all we know is that the young guns are going to get plenty of snaps and will have to work out kinks on the fly at the pro level.
EDGE: Dayo Odeyningbo v. Samson Ebukam
While the secondary possesses measurable holes, the Colts have great depth along their front seven, especially when Shaq Leonard is fully healthy. Kwity Paye will presumably get the top EDGE rushing gig, so it will be up to Odeyingbo and Ebukam for the other. Ebukum arrived from San Francisco, where he spent two seasons after spending the previous four with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s coming off a career season, totaling 36 tackles with a career-high five sacks, seven tackles-for-loss, and 13 quarterback hits. Odeyingbo enters his third season, but the 6-foot-6, 275-pound EDGE had 31 tackles and five sacks while playing in 46 percent of the team’s snaps last year.
Ready To Breakout: Alec Pierce
No matter who is behind center, Alec Pierce could break out. Pierce hauled in 41 catches for 593 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last year, and I expect him to be in line for a possible breakout season. It might be a tough ask because Steichen deploys a run-first scheme and they might not want to throw either of the two quarterbacks too far into the fire yet. But the 6-foot-3 receiver is expected to receive plenty of volume behind Michael Pittman Jr. in 2023, should their offensive line hold up better with new OL coach Tony Sparano. There aren’t too many (reliable) options outside of Pittman and Taylor, but I’ll take my bet with Pierce.
Rookie To Watch: Anthony Richardson
Even though he might not get the starting nod, all eyes will be on Richardson if he gets any opportunity. As I previously mentioned, he might have accuracy problems, but his physical tools–arm strength, size, mobility, fluidity–made him a remarkably intriguing prospect for talent evaluators pre-draft. I’m keeping an eye on how Richardson’s able to adapt to the NFL game with his lack of experience, even though it will be difficult for him to immediately produce in year one because of the Colts’ lack of receiving threats.
Fantasy Sleeper: Jonathan Taylor
You might be reading this thinking I have four eyes. But Taylor is coming off a season where he was undoubtedly the top choice across leagues, though he was playing behind a banged-up and inconsistent offensive line combined with multiple midseason quarterback changes. Plus, Taylor missed six games due to injury.
He is listed as RB4 in Fantasy Pros’ preliminary rankings, though I don’t believe he should be behind Bijan Robinson, who has yet to take an NFL snap yet. It’s fair to be concerned about Indianapolis’ quarterback play in 2023, though I’m banking on the offensive line — led by Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly — being better.
What do you think about the Colts ahead of training camp? Let us know in the comments below!
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