Too many drops from receivers are an issue within Colts offense

A QB drop rate is the percentage of on-target passes dropped by the intended receiver. Richardson’s 11.3% drop rate was the highest among all qualified QBs in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. If the signs of an emanating issue with drops weren’t clear, it’s become apparent with a half-dozen dropped passes through the first two days of camp.

Training camp gives committed fans optimism while teams use the summer grind to build morale. If there is one unit that has shown out through the first two practices and brought a confidence boost to the Indianapolis Colts defense, it’s been the defensive backs.

The Colts prioritized rebuilding their secondary this offseason and the early results are encouraging as the DBs have been flying around the practice field to deflect passes and force incompletions. Former All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward, who signed with the Colts in free agency, has been fearless in press coverage to blanket Colts receivers. Another key addition turning heads on the practice field is third round draft pick Justin Walley, who took first-team reps opposite Ward on Day 1 of training camp, then started in the slot on Thursday while Kenny Moore II was given a rest day to sit out of practice. Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo emphasizes using leverage to play tight coverage and it did not take long for the rookie out of Minnesota to showcase his versatile skill set.

Cornerback JuJu Brents may as well have been Anthony Richardson’s intended target on his first throw of the final team period as he picked off an underthrown deep shot down the right sideline. The crowd scooted to the edge of their bleacher seats in anticipation of Richardson launching his first deep pass of Thursday’s scorching practice, but a collective groan was the most audible noise that echoed through Grand Park once the pass was intercepted with ease. Both Brents and Richardson were given the benefit to start as rookies, but must earn their role back with limited practice reps.

Richardson understands he must show more consistency to win his starting job back and Thursday’s practice featured much better results on intermediate throws. It was clear Richardson took a bit off the heater to work on accurate ball placement, which may be necessary to help solve an emanating issue. Through two practices, Richardson is unofficially 7-for-18 passing, but five of those 11 incompletions were dropped by the intended receiver.

A QB drop rate is the percentage of on-target passes dropped by the intended receiver. Richardson’s 11.3% drop rate was the highest among all qualified QBs in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. If the signs of an emanating issue with drops weren’t clear, it’s become apparent with a half-dozen dropped passes through the first two days of camp. Three receivers aiming to move up the depth chart during camp, including Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin and D.J. Montgomery, all dropped catchable passes. Mitchell has yet to find his groove in the Colts offense and has struggled to secure a few easier catches during camp. Cornerback Jaylon Jones made a nice play on an on-target throw from Richardson to swat it out of Mitchell’s grasp and force an incompletion.

Colts’ receivers are simply dropping too many catchable passes, which could be the main reason the offense looks so deficient at times.