Stock up, stock down from Colts’ 28-24 loss to Steelers

Stock report from Week 16.

Despite being given the chance to control their own playoff destiny, the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) couldn’t hang on to a 17-point lead in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) in Week 16.

Now, the Colts have to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars AND get some help from just one other team in the conference in order to make the playoffs. We detailed all the ways the Colts can make the playoffs in Week 17.

Before the final week gets here, let’s take a look at the stock report from the tough road loss against the Steelers:

Tavon Wilson quickly taking leadership role with Colts

Anthony Walker sees Wilson as a leader already.

Following the news that a pair of defensive backs would be opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, the Indianapolis Colts went out in free agency to sign veteran safety Tavon Wilson.

After spending the majority of his career with the Patriots and Lions, the 30-year-old Wilson now joins the Colts as a depth piece in the safety room. While he’s still getting acclimated, it hasn’t taken long for him to take on a leadership role.

Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. sees similar traits when looking back at another veteran safety who joined the team during the 2018 season.

“He reminds me a lot of Mike Mitchell – a savvy veteran, a guy who understands the game to the smallest detail. Definitely happy to have him in our locker room right now. A lot of the young guys are learning from him, but he’s a playmaker as well,” Walker told reporters Wednesday. “He can go out there and a guy that – he almost had 100 tackles last year, which we told him he won’t be reaching this year (laughing). Just to have a guy like that on our team now is very exciting.”

After safety Rolan Milligan opted out of the season, the Colts had to make a move. Third-round pick Julian Blackmon is still on the Non-Football Injury list as he recovers from a torn ACL in December. He might not make an impact until October at the earliest.

This led the Colts to bring in Wilson, who comes with a solid pedigree of production both on defense and on special teams. Being a depth player, Wilson as an asset on special teams will be huge.

It will be interesting to see what the Colts decide to do with Wilson once Blackmon is ready to return. They haven’t kept five safeties on the active roster since Chris Ballard took over in 2017. With an enlarged practice squad, the Colts have more options but it still warrants a decision.

The Colts need more leadership in the secondary with a young unit. They added Xavier Rhodes, but Wilson could find himself taking on a leadership role more often as the season approaches.

4 Colts whose Madden rating should be higher

Which Colts got disrespected by Madden?

You know it’s almost time for the yearly Madden football game to being released when the player ratings get released by EA Sports in July. The very popular Madden NFL game is set to release on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 25th, and to help promote their game pre-release, EA Sports has released their official player ratings.

Rating over 3,000 players on various skills such as speed, agility, throw power, and acceleration takes a lot of time and effort. For the most part, the rating team at Madden gets the ratings correct, but sometimes there are a few head-scratchers, whether the player’s ratings were too low or too high.

Here’s a look at all of the ratings for the Colts..There were some Colts players slighted by the Madden rating adjusters, so we took the liberty of sharing four players who deserved a higher rating:

LB Darius Leonard | 85 overall

Just add more motivation to Darius Leonard’s list, as he was rated an 85 overall in this year’s Madden.

121 tackles, five sacks, and five interceptions in 13 games, along with a Pro Bowl nod only gets Leonard an 85 rating, behind a player like Kyle Van Noy of the Miami Dolphins.

Van Noy last year with the Patriots, in 15 games, had 56 tackles, six and a half sacks, and no interceptions. Yet, Van Noy is rated an 86 and Leonard an 85.

After a season like that from Leonard, in only 13 games, he should be a higher rating than 85. He should be closer to a 90 overall rating than his official launch rating at 85.

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4 Colts with the most to lose at training camp

These Colts need a strong showing at training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts are expecting to begin training camp on July 28 and while we don’t know what’s in store after that, there are still topics to discuss in the coming weeks.

As it is with every training camp, the Colts will have a number of position battles to watch. Some are more important than others, but there are always players with more to lose than their teammates on the roster.

That could come in the form of simply losing a starting role or it could result in them losing a roster spot altogether.

With training camp less than two weeks away, here are four Colts with the most to lose:

RB Marlon Mack

This is an instance where Mack will most certainly be on the roster regardless of what happens during training camp. However, we have to keep in mind the battle that will be going on for the RB1 role in the backfield.

I’ve long maintained the position that Mack and rookie Jonathan Taylor will split early-down work to begin the season. Mack is too talented and explosive to keep off the field. That said, he’s also going up against the type of competition that puts his future with the organization in doubt.

So while I keep the optimistic approach that Mack will keep a fair role in the backfield, we must also realize just how much the Colts like Taylor. It isn’t likely that the rookie takes a three-down role right away. That’s not in the plans.

But it would be naive to say that Mack will automatically retain a lion’s share of the work simply because he has been the starter. He has a lot on the line when training camp begins.

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Colts expecting a big jump for LB Bobby Okereke

LBs coach expects big things from Okereke.

Under the current regime, the Indianapolis Colts have found themselves with an embarrassment of riches at the linebacker position. Among them is second-year backer Bobby Okereke.

A third-round pick from the 2019 draft class, Okereke emerged as a strong producer for the Colts during the second half of his rookie campaign. He played on 41.3% of snaps over the final 10 games as the third linebacker in the room, which is a strong number considering how often the Colts implement their nickel packages.

As Okereke comes into his own in Year 2, linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi echoes the notion that the Colts are expecting a big up for the Stanford product.

“Yeah, we expect big things from Bobby. He came in as a rookie and did a really nice job. Like Darius, Bobby is a guy that has great physical attributes, but also more importantly, he works really hard at it,” Borgonzi told Colts.com. “So we expect Bobby to make a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2, just in his production, his plays on the ball, interceptions, game-changing plays. Bobby has a lot of ability and we expect him to really have a great season this coming year.”

Standing in the way of Okereke taking a starting role at the MIKE linebacker position is Anthony Walker, who has been the starter since 2018. While Walker may be limited in some areas, he’s been a fantastic leader in the middle of the defense and a strong complement to Darius Leonard.

Considering the Colts only had to use a fifth-round pick in 2017 to get him, Walker has quickly become a favorite amongst the fans and the coaching staff.

But that competition between Walker and Okereke is likely the biggest the Colts have on the docket—if and when they return for training camp at the end of the month. Both players are versatile in that they can likely thrive at the MIKE and SAM positions, thought the latter isn’t used as much in today’s NFL.

“Anthony is a great teammate. The first thing (is) he’s an unbelievable leader. He’s a leader of the defense,” said Borgonzi. “He’s very smart. He’s a guy that can play multiple positions for us. He can play MIKE, he can play WILL, he can play SAM, so his versatility is unmatched. Everybody in the locker room respects him just because of how hard he works, both on and off the field. So he’s really a true leader of our defense.”

The linebacker corps is one of the deepest positions on the roster, and the Colts are excited to see what the competition will bring out in both Okereke and Walker.

For the former, it could mean taking a starting role in Year 2 next to one of the best linebackers in the game.

ESPN names 4 Colts as candidates for contract extensions

Which Colts might get an extension?

With the summer here and the NFL dying down in terms of news and activity, one development to keep an eye on this time of year will be contract extensions before the 2020 season arrives.

The Colts have a few players eligible for contract extensions given that their current deals expire at the end of the 2020 season. General manager Chris Ballard made it pretty clear last offseason that he doesn’t mind getting deals done before the current one expires.

ESPN listed over 50 players who could be considered candidates for a contract extension before the 2020 season arrives. The Colts have four players mentioned in the article.

Here are the Colts players listed in the article along with what ESPN said about them:

WR T.Y. Hilton: “The Bears’ Allen Robinson II and the Colts’ T.Y. Hilton are both veterans who are important enough to their teams to merit consideration.”

C Ryan Kelly: “Other guards/centers who could be candidates include Minnesota’s Pat Elflein, the Colts’ Ryan Kelly and maybe the Cowboys’ Joe Looney if he emerges as their starting center in camp.”

LB Anthony Walker Jr: “Anthony Walker Jr. is another 2017 fifth-rounder who has turned into a reliable starter. Walker is a part of the Colts’ plans moving forward and a candidate for a summer extension.”

S Malik Hooker: “The Colts declined Malik Hooker’s fifth-year option for 2021, but it wouldn’t be too shocking if they worked something out with him at a lower number.”

The article also mentioned Marlon Mack with the running backs but only that there are “No talks yet between the Colts and Marlon Mack as he heads into his final year,” which appears to be true at this stage.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts go about their extensions this offseason but one or all of these players could be up for a new deal, along with some other names such as Darius Leonard, Quenton Nelson and Grover Stewart.

Can the Colts become an elite defense?

Anthony Walker has high hopes for his unit.

The Indianapolis Colts spent much of their time this offseason trying to improve the depth and talent on both sides of the ball, but the especially achieved that goal when it comes to the defense.

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With new additions like defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerback Xavier Rhodes, just how much better will the defense be? Of course we won’t know for sure at this point in the offseason, but linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. believes the Colts should be in the conversation among elite units.

“Yeah, I think we added pieces that took us from what we feel had a chance to be a good/great defense to an elite defense,” Walker said this offseason. “So, you add Xavier Rhodes, you add DeForest Buckner, Sheldon Day. You already had some guys at pretty elite positions – Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, Justin Houston, Kenny Moore II, you already had those guys (and) Malik Hooker.”

The addition of Buckner is what will garner the most attention and rightfully so. If he can have the type of impact expected of him, the entire defense will benefit. Whether he’s applying pressure himself, opening up the lanes for linebackers and edge rushers, or making life easier on the secondary. Buckner’s presence will provide the Colts with a great deal of production.

The other additions have to prove themselves a little more. Rhodes is coming off of a down year in 2019 and has been on a decline statistically since his All-Pro campaign in 2017. He fits well within the scheme but how much of a bounce-back season can he have?

It all looks great on paper, but Walker admits they have to go out there and prove it before any assumptions can be made.

“On paper it looks great, like a beautiful drawing right now,” Walker said. “We’ll piece it all together like a puzzle and hopefully we’ll get to clicking as soon as we get into the facility working out together and everything like that and Week 1 we can go ahead and put it on display.”

The Colts defense will almost exclusively feature veterans at starting positions. It doesn’t appear there will be a whole lot of room for rookies to grab a starting role, but that’s what the Colts envisioned when they rebuilt the roster in 2017.

With an aging veteran at quarterback and a stout run game, the Colts can maximize their efforts with a strong defense. There is a lot of upside with the unit, but they must go out and prove it before getting handed the elite title.

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4 Colts in danger of losing their jobs

These Colts have to be careful of losing their jobs.

The Indianapolis Colts are boasting more depth on paper than they have in recent memory. While most of the draft picks selected in April will have to fight and claw for roles, there are still several position battles to keep an eye on entering the 2020 season.

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For the most part, the Colts have most of the roles locked down. There will be competition throughout the roster, but some players are truly in danger of losing their jobs at their respective positions.

Whether it’s because of an incoming rookie or simply a tight position battle, here are four Colts in danger of losing their jobs in 2020:

RB Marlon Mack

You already knew Mack would be on this list. Though he showed the Colts he could be an effective runner by running for a career-high 1,091 yards in 2019, the front office wanted to get more explosive. What better way to do so than to trade up for one of the most productive backs in college football history.

Mack will be joined by rookie Jonathan Taylor—a 5-foot-10, 226-pound back with 4.39 speed and the fourth-most rushing yards in college football history. It will be a shared backfield featuring the duo as a 1-2 punch, but there is a real chance Taylor takes over the lead role at some point in 2020.

That doesn’t mean the entire backfield will be his. Mack will certainly get his share of work, especially considering he’s in a contract year. What better reason to run Mack into the ground?

But even with that, Mack isn’t going to average the 17 carries per game he enjoyed over the last two seasons. He will absolutely be involved, but don’t be surprised if Taylor winds up being the leader of the 1-2 punch by season’s end.

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4 Colts most likely to receive contract extension before 2020 season

Which Colts might see an extension before the season.

The Indianapolis Colts have made it clear that they aren’t afraid of handing out contract extensions to players they feel deserve it—even if said player has a full season ahead under contract.

General manager Chris Ballard has made that move several times in the past, most notably with cornerback Kenny Moore and punter Rigoberto Sanchez during the 2019 offseason.

The Colts have 24 players entering a contract year as unrestricted free agents, but there are a few that stand out. Some of them could wind up getting a new deal before the 2020 season arrives, but most of them are likely proving they deserve another deal.

It may only happen to one of them. It may not happen to any of them. But here are four Colts most likely to receive a contract extension before the 2020 season:

Ryan Kelly | OL | Age: 26

The 2016 first-round pick out of Alabama turns 27 years old at the end of the month and is currently playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. If there is one player most likely to get a contract extension before the 2020 season starts, it’s Kelly.

Though he had a two-season stretch where injuries were becoming a massive concern, Kelly bounced back in a big way for the 2019 campaign. He started all 16 games anchoring the offensive line for the Colts while playing on 94.5% of the team’s offensive snaps.

He was extremely efficient as well. According to Pro Football Focus, Kelly allowed just one sack on 591 pass-blocking snaps in 2019. He proved he could be reliable and productive while excelling at one of the most difficult positions in the game of football.

The offensive line is the strength of the Colts offense. Keeping that continuity going is essential, and Kelly’s production isn’t easy to come by.

The Colts might not want to wait and see if Kelly can produce again like he did in 2019. If he does, his value on the market will be as high as its ever been.

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4 Colts who could be in line for a contract extension

These Colts could b in line for a contract extension.

Since Chris Ballard has come to Indianapolis he has preached “keeping your own.” Drafting players and re-signing them to a second contract. Ballard has backed up his words on that since taking over in 2017.

Ballard has given contract extensions to players during the offseason even when they were still under contract for the next season.

Last offseason, Ballard extended Kenny Moore and Luke Rhodes, and before the 2019 season, Ballard extended Jacoby Brissett’s rookie deal.

Extending current players on the roster aren’t the biggest concern going into 2019 but don’t be surprised if Ballard tries to get ahead of the market and extend his own.

With all that in mind, the Colts have some key players that could be in line for an extension this offseason. Here are some of those players:

WR T.Y. Hilton

The 30-year-old wide receiver will be a free agent in 2021 and unless the Colts address the receiver position this offseason, Hilton will be the only real threat for the offense in the passing game.

2019 was a season to forget for Hilton—career-lows in receptions, yards, and yards per reception. And while Hilton did miss six games with various injuries throughout the year, there should be no hesitancy to extend Hilton.

Hilton is currently the ninth highest-paid receiver in the NFL but with him turning 31 when the contract expires, the Colts could look to sign him in the range of three to four years, and $50 million. Tyreek Hill signed an extension last offseason for three years and $54 million.

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