Four Colts tow watch

[Kray007]

In order to make the jump to serious Super Bowl contender, the Colts need to develop talent at a number of key positions, including WR, DE, and Corner. Fortunately, we have guys on the roster; but, those guys need to step up over the next two months and show us something. If that doesn’t happen, it’s on to plan B.

So, I’ll start out with Alec Pierce. In Michael Pittman, they have a prototype big bodied Receiver who can get open and move the sticks…a Keyshawn Johnson for the new millennium. What they need is a dynamic pass catcher who can stress the backend and force opposing coaches into making impossible choices on D. So far, Pierce hasn’t shown us that he’s that guy, but he’s been saddled with quarterbacks who can’t deliver the ball to the third level. The important thing to look at, over the next seven games, isn’t how many balls he pulls down, it’s whether he creates separation, gets open, and might have made a play if only Anthony Richardson was taking snaps.

Numbers two and three are the edge guys… Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwitty Paye. While it isn’t impossible to play Bradley’s non blitzing style of Defense without a big time pass rusher, there’s no question that a Reggie White or Bruce Smith would elevate the unit to another level. So far, unfortunately, neither Dayo nor Kwitty has looked like the next coming of Nick Bosa; but there is hope that one of them can step up his game and show us that he has the ability to become a reliable 10 or 12 sack a year kind of defender. My guess is that, of the two of them Dayo has the most potential. But, I’m not sure that either has the sheer acceleration and speed to turn the edge and get to the quarterback before he has a chance to get rid of the ball. Next year’s free agent class is stacked with talent at Edge Defender. If Paye and Odeyingbo can’t cut it, the time has come to find someone who can.

And, finally, we come to Juju Brents. Juju certainly has the Measurables to play in Gus Bradley‘s scheme, and while his 4.53 second 40 time raises questions, lack of speed didn’t keep Bradley from molding Richard Sherman into a future Hall of Famer. We have to hope that Bradley can use the same coaching mojo on Juju, and it would be nice if he is able to stake his spot in the defensive backfield by the time this season grinds to a close.

[Chromeburn]

I think as a group the dline is very good. They could add a pass rush specialist to the group to make passing downs harder. But overall it’s a good group.

I can see them adding another corner in the draft if there is a good player there. Otherwise it seems like a good young group who should get better with time.

As for WR, I think we should add a speedster deep threat to the team so that Pierce can take a break. I think Pierce is more of a X type than a Z. Let him freelance a little a move around. But whoever is playing that role is only going to see about 30% the targets the other two receivers will see.

[Dam8610]

I think Odeyingbo is more of a traditional DE than an Edge or in Bradley's terminology, "LEO". His play as of late has been very reminiscent of Justin Tuck for me, and that's what I think the high end result for him is.

I don't think Paye will develop into the pass rush force his athletic abilities give him the potential to be. I think he can be a solid starter, but he's never going to be the pass rusher that Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis were. I would love to see the Colts make a run at Chase Young this offseason. If not, hopefully the Colts can get an elite pass rusher with their first round pick.

At WR, I think Downs's development is more important than anything for the rest of the season. He looks like he's going to be a great slot receiver. Pierce may be able to develop into a solid boundary receiver, but I think Pittman and Downs are the effective WR1 and WR2 going forward.

At CB, I think the development of both Brents and Jones is paramount. It looks like both could be very good boundary CBs. Paired with one of the best slot CBs in the league in Kenny Moore, that would make for an elite CB room going forward. I certainly wouldn't mind the Colts drafting another CB, but I'd want it to be another situation like Rush or Jones where a talented CB that fits the Colts' mold falls to the mid rounds.