Tag: Isaiah Rodgers

6 recent Colts’ draft picks with opportunity to play more in 2022

These recent draft picks have chances for bigger roles in 2022.

The Indianapolis Colts are right in the middle of the offseason training program with the hope that some of their young players will continue their development in bigger roles on both sides of the roster.

As we know when it comes to the Colts, they love to build through the draft and develop those picks. Entering 2022, there are plenty of roles up for grabs for some of those recent draft classes. By recent draft picks, we mean the 2020 and 2021 classes.

We won’t be including obvious names like Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr. and Kwity Paye—players with entrenched roles at their respective positions.

Here’s a look at six recent Colts’ draft picks with the opportunity to play more in 2022:

Is Isaiah Rodgers the Colts’ best-kept secret?

Isaiah Rodgers has a chance for a big Year 3.

The Indianapolis Colts cornerback room includes a former Defensive Player of the Year and a 2021 Pro Bowler, but third-year player Isaiah Rodgers is well on his way toward a breakout campaign.

While our very own Cody Manning included Rodgers as one of the top breakout candidates for the Colts in 2022, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton sees a similar path for the former sixth-round pick.

Moton named Rodgers the team’s “best-kept secret” entering 2022.

In the Indianapolis Colts secondary, 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II will garner the spotlight. Even though Isaiah Rodgers made strides through his second pro season, he’ll head into the 2022 campaign as an unheralded defender for a top-10 scoring unit.

Last year, Rodgers lined up primarily on the boundary and recorded seven pass breakups and three interceptions while allowing a 78.1 passer rating in coverage. In two terms, he made the jump from a high-end kick returner (24 returns for 692 yards and a touchdown in 2020) to a solid cover man on the perimeter who’s also a productive special teamer.

Though the Colts signed Brandon Facyson, who’s played under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley with the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, Rodgers should move into a full-time starting position (on the outside) in the nickel alignment following a productive year in coverage.

Rodgers will get his chance to make an even bigger impact during his third season. He has some stiff competition with veteran Brandon Facyson, whom the Colts signed to a one-year deal in free agency.

But Rodgers has been ascending quickly within the ranks, and there is a chance he’s the breakout player for the Colts in 2022.

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5 Colts who could break out in 2022

Keep an eye out for these Colts to break out in 2022.

The Indianapolis Colts have built a roster for a deep playoff run over the course of the offseason. The success of this team will be hinged on lesser-known players taking their game to the next level.

The offense has their studs in Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. but they will need a skill position player or two to help them carry the load.  The defense is filled with playmakers on all three levels of the ball and it should help elevate the talent of others to hit their potential for this season.

Here are five players that have an opportunity to break out in 2022:

5 Colts who exceeded expectations in 2021

Here are five Colts who exceeded expectations in 2021.

The Indianapolis Colts were one win away from competing in the playoffs but instead find themselves sitting at home with the majority of the league.

While the end of the season still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many fans, there were some bright spots to take away from the season. This is especially true when considering the players who exceeded expectations.

Here are five Colts who exceeded expectations during the 2021 season:

Colts’ special teams unit ranked 2nd-best in NFL

Bubba Ventrone’s special teams unit made their mark in 2021.

In his annual special teams rankings, Rick Gosselin of Sports Illustrated had the Indianapolis Colts finish the 2021 season all the way up at the No. 2 spot.

It should be no surprise at all that the Colts’ special teams unit was ranked so highly. The unit made an impact weekly on the outcomes of games while being led by Bubba Ventrone.

Only the Baltimore Ravens finished with a higher ranking than the Colts in the overall standing.

The Colts were tied for the fifth-best “opponent starting point” with an average at the 24-yard line. They were also ranked second-best with their own starting point at the 26-yard line.

The special teams unit was tied with the Cowboys for the most points scored (18). Those points came on the three touchdowns scored by E.J. Speed (twice) and Ashton Dulin.

The Colts were tied for the third-most blocked kicks (two) and tied for the most special-teams takeaways (three).

Showing off their discipline, the Colts committed just two penalties for 25 yards—the fewest in the NFL.

Nyheim Hines was 10th among punt returners, averaging 7.4 yards per return. Isaiah Rodgers averaged 26.4 yards per kick return, which is the third-highest average among players with at least 19 returns on the season.

On top of all that, long snapper Luke Rhodes was named to the All-Pro First-Team as well as a Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, special teams ace Ashton Dulin was named to the All-Pro Second-Team as well as a Pro Bowl alternate.

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Colts fall short to Raiders, 23-20: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the Colts’ 23-20 loss to the Raiders.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) both came into Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium with everything to play for.

Both teams needed a win, for the Colts a win clinched a playoff berth, for the Raiders they would need to win out.

One team came out strong, motivated and played like it was their last game. The Colts were not that team.

Indianapolis came out flat in the first half, once again struggling to put together sixty minutes of good football, and it cost them in the end as they were unable to stop a late drive by Las Vegas to steal the win from the home crowd.

Missing an entire week of practice and preparation due to being placed on the Reserve/COVID list seemed to affect Colts quarterback Carson Wentz as he did not have a good game at all, and was a disappointment in a game where your leaders need to show up.

Here’s our instant analysis from this Week 17 loss:

WATCH: Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers gets downfield INT vs. Raiders

Watch Colts CB Isaiah Rodgers pick off Derek Carr in Week 17.

One of the more underrated storylines for the Indianapolis Colts has been the emergence of second-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

He made his mark again on Sunday on the second drive of the game for the defense. After the unit allowed the Raiders to move down the field easily on their first drive, Rodgers was step for step with DeSean Jackson on a deep ball down the sideline.

Once again, it goes to show why you don’t target Rodgers on third downs.

Colts overcome Cardinals, 22-16: Instant analysis

Instant analysis of the Colts’ 22-16 win over the Cardinals.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-6) were dealt a rough hand all week leading up to this Christmas match-up with the Arizona Cardinals (10-5).

Many of the Colts’ best players, unfortunately, ended up on the reserve/COVID list, some even just hours before kick-off. Many of these names, including Pro-Bowlers Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson, alongside most of the starting offensive line and other key starters on both sides of the ball would be out for this game and perhaps even the next in a very close playoff race.

It was looking grim for Carson Wentz, Jonathan Taylor, and company to be able to pull off a win in such a difficult spot and missing so many players, but as the team loves to say it’s simply “Next Man Up” and those men had big shoes to fill. For the most part, the guys did just that, and fought hard all game in a sloppy, back and forth brawl that saw Indianapolis narrowly come out on top and keep hopes of a playoff berth, and perhaps a division title alive.

Here’s our instant analysis from this Christmas night victory:

Stock report from Colts’ 38-31 loss to Bucs

Evaluating stock from the Colts’ 38-31 loss to the Bucs in Week 12.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) suffered a tough loss at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, falling 38-31 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3).

Though this is a game the Colts could (and should) have won, a lack of a true consistent pass rush along with some ill-timed turnovers during the second half led to the disappearance of a 10-point lead coming out of halftime.

Even in the disappointing loss, there were some positive trends and negative trends on both sides of the ball.

Here’s the stock report from the Week 12 loss:

WATCH: Colts’ Isaiah Rodgers picks off Tom Brady deep pass

Isaiah Rodgers came away with a beautiful interception on a Tom Brady deep pass.

One of the underrated storylines this season has been the emergence of second-year cornerback Isaiah Rodgers as a strong depth piece in the Indianapolis Colts secondary.

Rodgers has emerged as a play-maker and he put that on display Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he ran a route for the opposing wide receiver on a deep ball from Tom Brady.

Rodgers has officially gone from a strong special teams player to a reliable depth piece in the secondary.