ESPN Top-100 Players for 2024 (Nelson, Buckner, Pittman, Taylor)
 

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2024 NFL Rank: Predicting Top 100 Players for This Season

(ESPN Staff)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...dictions-stats



(#60) ) Quenton Nelson ) Any disappointing performance in Nelson's past has typically been tied to injuries. He is coming off an injury-free offseason following a resurgent 2023, so look for him to maintain or elevate his performance in 2024. An additional boost could come from the continuity Nelson has around him, including left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who is entering his third season and has been a surprise solution to the void at a critical position. --- Stephen Holder

Signature Stat: ) Nelson has played and started in 95 games; that is the 5th most among all interior offensive linemen since 2018.

2024 Projection: ) Tells the opposing defensive linemen to go fuck themselves.


(#73) ) DeForest Buckner ) Buckner was double-teamed on 267 pass rush snaps in 2023, more than Chris Jones and Justin Madubuike. Much of that can be attributed to nose tackle Grover Stewart's 6-game suspension, which resulted in a big drop-off in performance from the interior of the Colts' defensive line. With Stewart back on the field, Buckner should be a beneficiary and (theoretically) see fewer double-teams and create even more of a pass rush. --- Stephen Holder

Signature Stat: ) Buckner has contributed at least five sacks as a defensive tackle in each of the past six seasons, the third-longest streak since 2000 behind Aaron Donald (eight straight from 2014 to '21) and Chris Jones (seven straight from 2017 to 2023.)

2024 Projection: ) 71 Tackles, 7 Sacks


(#83) ) Michael Pittman, Jr. ) Pittman's targets have increased by at least 10% in each of his 4 previous seasons. His status as a volume receiver is indisputable. But look for yardage production to also increase in 2024 with the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is not afraid to give his receivers more opportunities on intermediate and deep routes. There have been too few of those plays for the Colts in the past 2 seasons. --- Stephen Holder

Signature Stat: ) Pittman's 109 receptions was the 5th most in the NFL in 2023, and tied for the 4th most in a single season in Colts franchise history. Pittman also accounted for 31% of his team's receptions last season, the 2nd-highest mark in the league behind CeeDee Lamb (32%.)

2024 Projection: ) 99 Receptions, 1,081 Yards, 4 TDs


(#90) ) Jonathan Taylor ) Health (and a nasty contract standoff) has been the biggest obstacle for Taylor the past 2 seasons. But he finished 2023 relatively healthy, and had a productive offseason that has him poised to return to form ...... just as important is the presence of Anthony Richardson in the Colts' backfield. The young quarterback's feared running ability will likely create some tough choices for defenders that could benefit Taylor. He has 104.5 scrimmage yards per game since coming into the league in 2020, ranking 2nd behind Derrick Henry's 114.9 scrimmage yards (minimum of 50 games.) --- Stephen Holder

Signature Stat: ) Taylor ended 2023 with a scrimmage touchdown in 6 straight games, the 3rd-longest streak in the NFL last season (CeeDee Lamb had 9, and Christian McCaffrey had 8.)

2024 Projection: ) 1,178 Rushing Yards, 10 TD's (317 Yards/1 TD Receiving)

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Colts Rule out RB Jonathan Taylor, Unsure on Anthony Richardson

(By Stephen Holder)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...ony-richardson

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But, but, he's not hurt, he could have gone back in last week, bullshit !! I think the whole team is questionable this week.

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(vs. TITANS, 10/13)


Michael Pittman, Jr. was nothing short of great this afternoon ...... he fought for catches like a mother fights to save her son from being attacked.

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(vs. TEXANS, 10/20)


Jonathan Taylor had a very good game today, in a losing cause.

His ankle appears to be fine.

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(vs. PATRIOTS, 12/01)


Jonathan Taylor was a workhorse this afternoon ...... in fact, he was the only running back on the team who carried the ball at all !!! ) :eek:



THE COLTS: llllllllllt 33 ., Carries


Taylor: llllllllllllllllllll. 25 l. Carries


Richardson: llllllllllll) 8 ll) Carries

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(vs. BRONCOS, 12/15)


Today has got to be the worst day of Jonathan Taylor's career.

His gaffe of dropping the ball before he crossed the goal-line was inexcusable.





https://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2...s_the_ball.jpg

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I agree it was inexcusable...but I wish we had different angles on the play. Honestly from there it looks like he had possession once it broke the plane of the goalline.

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Jonathan Taylor ) (vs. TITANS, 12/22)



ATTEMPTS: lllllllllllllll 29


YARDS: lllllllllllllllllllllll 218


YPC: llllllllllllllllllllllllllll. 7.5


TD's: lllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 3

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Stats are for losers, and rarely taken in their proper context.