Stock Up
Colts’ wide receivers
The Colts were in passing mode most of the game after going down 14 points early in the second quarter, and the wide receivers took full advantage of the opportunity presented. Pierce and Pittman combined for 13 catches on 20 targets and close to 160 yards, while Josh Downs also got in a bit of the action after being a non-factor the past few weeks. The quarterback situation is unclear right now whether Leonard or Rivers will start, but the rookie looked somewhat competent so the receivers could still be productive.
Grover Stewart
Stewart has easily been the most consistent player for the Colts the past four seasons, and against the Jaguars was no exception. He finished the game with 4 tackles, a forced fumble on what was the only positive play the Colts had on defense, and did not miss a tackle.
Nick Cross
After a breakout season last year, Cross has elevated his game playing alongside newly acquired Cam Bynum, forming one of the best safety duos in the NFL. Against Jacksonville he was targeted 7 times, allowing just three catches and forcing three incompletions. He is a key impending free-agent the Colts must re-sign, and he will most likely not be cheap.
Riley Leonard
We’ll have to wait and see what happens with Rivers, as there is no telling whether he was brought in as another coach on the sidelines to help Leonard, or if the Colts are expecting him to take over, but the rookie played much better than I expected. The Colts’ remaining schedule is really tough so its not like Leonard has a cakewalk ahead of him, but with how uncertain the quarterback position is for the franchise, the rookie has a chance to earn himself playing time next year.
Stock Down
Jaylon Jones
Jones had a ton of opportunities this season with injuries to the other cornerbacks in the room, but he has been evidently outplayed by Mekhi Blackmon. Next season the Colts will have Sauce Gardner and rookie Chris Walley back, and we will have to monitor Ward’s status after suffering a third concussion this year and having considered retirement before. What seemed like a sure path to starting is now really complicated for Jones who has not been good this year.
Laiatu Latu
27 pass rushing snaps and just a single hurry for Latu, who was a non-factor on a key game. He has taken a step forward this year, no doubt, but he gets erased way too easily from games, and needs to improve his consistency. The Colts do need another edge rusher to play alongside him, as Kwity Paye is clearly not a viable long term answer. Rookie J.T Tuimoloau had a good game, getting two pressures on just 10 pass-rushing snaps, but he has not shown much to leave the Colts encouraged about his long term outlook.
Jonathan Taylor
With Jones out and a rainy day I expected JT to take over and lead the offense, and it seemed like it was going that way after a touchdown in the first quarter, but an untimely fumble, and an unfortunate game script meant he was fairly contained by the Jaguars’ defense. His OPOY campaign has taken a big hit over the past weeks, but in recent history he has had strong finishes to the season. We’ll just have to wait and see what we have in store this year.
Shane Steichen
Another key game late in the season that the Colts just cannot win, and once again the playoffs seem to be slipping away, which would make Steichen 0/3 as the Colts’ head coach. The offense, which is what Steichen runs, has been sputtering as of late, as opposing defenses seem to have figured out what he is running there have been no counters. We will see how well Leonard handles the starting quarterback position, or if Philip Rivers starts at 44-years old, and if this team finally manages to finish a season strong.
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