The Indianapolis Colts are 10 games into the 2023 NFL season. Let’s check in on how Indy’s rookies are performing this season.
by Vignesh Mulay
The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) are on their bye week after their first half of the season was marked by some impressive highs and disappointing lows. The same goes for the Colts’ 2023 rookie class, as some members have already made a meaningful impact on the field, while others are off to a slower start. Now that we’ve had 10 games to observe the rookies in real NFL action, let’s take a look at how they have fared so far.
Round 1, Pick 4: Anthony Richardson (QB)
The spotlight was on Anthony Richardson as soon as Indianapolis selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft back in April — the first time the team has drafted a QB in the first round since Andrew Luck in 2012. Then, the pressure really ramped up when head coach Shane Steichen named Richardson the starter nearly a month before the regular season kicked off. While Richardson produced some stunning highlights, his rookie season can only be described as a mixed bag.
Whenever Richardson has been on the field, the former Florida Gator has proven to be a game-changing athlete. In four starts, Richardson ran for 136 yards — at a dynamic rate of 5.4 yards per carry — and four touchdowns, while leading the Colts to multiple victories and a decent start to the year. Richardson’s elite size, strength, and speed can clearly be the focal point of a high-functioning offense.
Although Richardson had some memorable throws, there are still legitimate concerns about his passing ability. The combination of poor timing, pocket presence, touch, and decision-making resulted in a whole lot of inaccurate misfires. On top of that, the elephant in the room is that Richardson’s rookie campaign ended after just 10-and-a-half quarters of action due to injury. While Indianapolis fans can and should be excited about Richardson’s raw talent, he’ll need to actually stay healthy and complete more than 59.5% of his passes to be a franchise QB.
Grade: B
Round 2, Pick 44: Julius Brents (CB)
Since JuJu Brents’ debut in Week 3, he has shown flashes of exactly why the Colts trusted him to address a key offseason area of need. Rangy with terrific athleticism and instincts, Brents is a natural playmaker around the ball thanks to his explosive physicality. In four starts, Brents has recorded three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble and recovery.
The second-round cornerback’s contributions have been particularly valuable because of the struggles of other Indianapolis defensive backs and injuries to the unit. According to Pro Football Reference, opposing QBs have a passer rating of just 86.0 when targeting Brents. Among the Colts’ corners, only Pro Bowler Kenny Moore II has been better, and Brents’ mark is ahead of the injured Dallis Flowers and the struggling Darrell Baker. Notably, Brents has performed that well while being matched up one-on-one against receivers like DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, and Zay Flowers.
That being said, there are still lingering concerns from Brents’ scouting report, especially related to his aggressive error-prone style of play and a spotty injury history (he hasn’t played since Week 6). Like Richardson, Brents has had difficulty staying on the field, which so far has been the biggest blemish on an otherwise admirable rookie season.
Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 79: Josh Downs (WR)
Going into the draft, it was clear the Colts needed to strengthen their thin receiving corps and they invested a Day 2 pick in North Carolina wideout Josh Downs to do just that. Before entering the league, Downs was praised as a quick, elusive, and reliable receiver — so far, he has demonstrated all of those traits and more in the NFL.
In a short amount of time, Downs has ascended to the WR2 role in Steichen’s offense and has been very productive despite inconsistent QB play. Across 10 games, Downs has racked up 43 catches, 523 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Throughout the entire league, just two rookies — Los Angeles’ Puka Nacua and Minnesota’s Jordan Addison — have more yards than Downs. Downs has also showcased true big-play upside, leading the team with eight receptions of 20 yards or more while amassing 224 yards after the catch.
If Downs continues to be a high-volume slot receiver as well as a dangerous vertical threat, he could easily be a building block for the Colts for years to come. That’s a good outcome for any draft pick but definitely great value for a third-round selection.
Grade: A+
Round 4, Pick 106: Blake Freeland (OT)
Injuries to the offensive line — both starting tackles Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith have missed multiple weeks — forced fourth-rounder Blake Freeland into a more significant role than expected. The six-foot-eight BYU product has already started six games, filling in at both tackle spots and playing 69% of available offensive snaps. Freeland hasn’t been anywhere near perfect, but he’s also drawn some tough assignments including Aaron Donald in Week 4 and Myles Garrett in Week 7.
Freeland was always considered a developmental prospect coming out of the draft. He is obviously a great athlete, setting an o-line combine record with a vertical jump of 37 inches, but needs to add weight and refine his technique. With more time under offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr., Freeland should get better but Indianapolis fans must be patient with him. As of now, even with plenty of room to improve, Freeland has at least provided much-needed depth to a banged-up unit.
Grade: C+
Round 4, Pick 110: Adetomiwa Adebawore (DT)
Adetomiwa Adebawore didn’t see a ton of action for the first eight weeks of the season, but that wasn’t necessarily surprising — it always seemed like the Colts were going to let Adebawore develop and learn behind the team’s veterans. However, with Grover Stewart missing time due to suspension, Adebawore was given a season-high 21 snaps in Week 9 and he took full advantage of that opportunity to record his first career sack.
In true next-man-up fashion, Adebawore stayed ready and stepped up to the plate when the Colts needed him. He continued that momentum last week against the Patriots, picking up another 17 snaps as he fights for consistent playing time. Many considered Adebawore a steal in Round 4 but he’ll have to prove himself before he earns that label. There were expectations that he would be a solid rotation player for the Colts — especially since he was the only defensive lineman the team drafted — but it’s yet to be seen if Adebawore can fulfill that role.
Grade: C
Round 5, Pick 162: Will Mallory (TE)
Preseason expectations for Will Mallory were subdued since he was joining a crowded tight end group. Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox, and Jelani Woods were all returning to the team and ahead of Mallory in the pecking order. While Woods has yet to see the field due to injury, Mallory has still only been targeted eight times all year.
Even in limited action, Mallory did show his speed and route-running ability early on when he completed a 43-yard catch and run in Week 2. However, with only 62 total receiving yards this year, he hasn’t been able to build on that play. Despite his lack of involvement, it’s hard to grade Mallory too harshly. The Colts have several talented pass-catching tight ends and the fifth-rounder doesn’t offer a ton as a blocker, both of which limit how often he can be on the field.
Grade: C
Round 5, Pick 176: Evan Hull (RB)
General manager Chris Ballard returned to the Northwestern talent pool in Round 5, this time selecting the school’s leading rusher in 2021 and 2022. Indianapolis hoped Evan Hull could be a compact runner, capable pass-catcher, and solid special teams asset in the mold of former Colt Nyheim Hines. However, we never got a chance to see if Hull could be a productive member of the backfield as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first game of the season.
In total, Hull played just eight snaps this year, including one reception and one carry. It’s unclear what Hull’s role will be on the team next season but as Zack Moss hits free agency next summer, Hull may have an opportunity to fight for playing time.
Grade: TBD
Round 7, Pick 221: Jaylon Jones (CB)
The seventh round of the NFL Draft is often reserved for hit-or-miss projects that may have some long-term upside but also could certainly flounder once they’re in the league. Jaylon Jones has blown past those low standards. The defensive back out of Texas A&M has welcomed a bigger-than-expected workload and has impressed with his performance.
Jones has provided critical depth to a secondary that desperately needs it. After Dallis Flowers’ season-ending injury, Jones was suddenly given starting-corner-level responsibility. Since Week 5, he’s played 352 snaps and has allowed a completion rate of just 57.1% as well as only 4.8 yards per target.
Until Brents returns, Jones will continue to start but frankly, it seems like Indianapolis can trust the boundary corner to handle his business. With elite size and length, Jones always had the potential to be a great pick, but few expected him to make such an immediate and valuable impact.
Grade: A
Other Colts rookies
Indianapolis drafted four other players in 2023 who have not made an on-field appearance for the Colts. Fifth-round CB Darius Rush was cut from the roster before the season began, while three others — Daniel Scott, Titus Leo, and Jake Witt — were all placed on season-ending injured reserve in August.
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