In the 14th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Indianapolis Colts.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
Indianapolis had two key offseason acquisitions. They came to terms with defensive end Samson Ebukam of Onitsha, Nigeria to a three-year deal worth $24 million and kicker Matt Gay of Orem, Utah to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million.
Ebukam had 36 combined tackles (21 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles), 13 quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss, five sacks, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season for the San Francisco 49ers. The pass deflection, forced fumble and fumble recovery came in 49ers wins. The forced fumble was in a 24-9 49ers win over the Los Angeles Rams on October 3. The fumble recovery was in a 13-0 49ers win over the New Orleans Saints on November 27. The pass deflection was in a 21-13 49ers win over the Seattle Seahawks on December 15. In addition to playing two seasons with the 49ers, Ebukam began his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played four seasons.
Like Ebukam, Gay previously played with the Los Angeles Rams. He was in southern California from 2020 to 2022. In 2021, Gay was selected to the Pro Bowl and won the Super Bowl. The Colts are Gay’s third NFL team as he opened his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. This past season, he made 28 of 30 field goals and 31 of 32 converts.
The Colts also have a new coach this season. Shane Steichen of Sacramento, California spent the two previous seasons as an offensive co-ordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. They also have a new quarterback as they selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in the NFL Draft.
Fantasy Stars
The Colts have no players ranked in the top 10 in any fantasy football position.
Projected Finish
Indianapolis is expected to finish last in the AFC South. The team is in a definite rebuilding mode, and even their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, has requested a trade.
