Indianapolis Colts: 5 players looking to make Year 2 jump

Cody Manning

•
Indianapolis Colts: 5 players looking to make Year 2 jump image

The Indianapolis Colts are poised to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2020 season.

For that to come to fruition, they will need players from their 2023 draft class to make a jump in Year 2. That class features 12 players with 11 of them that are still on the roster. 

Out of those 11, here are five players that Indianapolis is looking for to take the next step in their sophomore season: 

Colts looking to make a jump in Year 2

1. QB Anthony Richardson

The key to success for the Colts’ 2024 season comes down to their 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson. In his limited action during his rookie season, AR showed what he can do with his legs which was expected but the flashes of the arm talent are what gets you excited about what Shane Steichen’s offense will fully look like in Year 2. 

The good news is that Richardson is reported as a full go ahead of OTAs and minicamp. This will be beneficial for him to get some reps in to further develop his chemistry with his receivers in 2023 and establish rapport with players like Jelani Woods and Adonai Mitchell. 

If AR can stay on the field and continue the upward trend that he was on before his season-ending shoulder injury, he has a chance to become a star in the NFL by the end of this year. 

2. CB JuJu Brents

AR isn’t the only 2023 draft pick the Colts need to have on the field for all 17 games. On the other side of the ball, they are betting on JuJu Brents to make a larger impact as one of the starting boundary cornerbacks in Year 2. In 9 games as a rookie, Brents finished with 43 tackles (30 solo), six pass defenses, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. 

So far, Chris Ballard has elected against signing a veteran cornerback and bypassed taking a player at the position with a Day 1 or Day 2 pick in the recent draft. Brents showcased he has the skill set to be a starting-caliber corner and had moments against some of the best receivers in Year 1. 

Now he just has to put his injuries behind him and take that next step in Year 2. 

3. WR Josh Downs

The Indy offense is oozing with potential with the return of Anthony Richardson and the weapons that surround him. One of those is his draft classmate Josh Downs. In his first season as a pro, he grabbed 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns. 

In the limited action with AR and Downs in the offense, the pair had connectivity on the field and will be looking to build upon the rapport the two had in 2023. 

If Downs can make a leap in Year 2 then he can open up space for his fellow receivers and grow as one of the better slot receivers in the league. 

4. CB Jaylon Jones

One of the pleasant surprises from the 2023 class was seventh-round pick Jaylon Jones. Because of injuries he was thrust into action early in his rookie season and ended up starting in 10 games for the Colts. Jones ended his Year 1 with 44 tackles (33 solo), a TFL, and five pass deflections. 

He had good moments in his first season in coverage and improved as the season went along. 

Unless a veteran corner is acquired in the coming months, Jones will battle with JuJu Brents and Dallis Flowers for the starting boundary roles. 

5. TE Will Mallory 

The tight end room training camp battle is once again something to watch for this summer but in 2023 it really never got heated because of Jelani Woods' hamstring injury that caused him to miss the entire year. As a fifth-round pick entering a crowded position group, Will Mallory didn’t have any expectations entering his first season. 

He only played 20% of the offensive snaps but he took advantage of his time on the field and showed ability as a receiving tight end. Mallory finished with 18 receptions for 207 yards. He picked up 11 first downs as well. 

Shane Steichen will utilize each of his tight ends as he did in 2023 but if Mallory can make the jump in Year 2 then he can lock a spot on the 53-man roster and earn more playing time. 

For more Colts coverage, check out Cody Manning's work on Sporting News.

Cody Manning

Cody Manning Photo

Cody Manning is a graduate of the University of Tampa’s Sport Management program. He spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Guest and Member Relations Game Day staff where he was a Team Leader and earned Difference Maker of the Year in 2017. During his time with the Bucs, he helped start Blitzalytics, a scouting and analytics media company. After that came to an end, he joined USA Today’s Colts Wire as a contributor in 2021. Outside of football, he is an avid WWE and Batman fan. You can find him on Twitter/X @CodyTalksNFL.