Stock Up
Alec Pierce
Pierce was by far the biggest winner from Sunday’s game. There used to be a debate about whether the Colts should pay him, and what his value was. This was because Pierce could be fairly labeled as a one-trick pony in this offense, and if Mitchell was ready to get more playing time then there were no targets for Pierce. With Mitchell’s horrendous showing, Pierce’s value to this team is undeniable at this point.
Laiatu Latu
Latu is now 3rd in the NFL in pass-rush win rate according to PFF.com. Those are elite numbers for a pass rusher, and his impact on games cannot be understated. Against the Rams he finished with a league-leading 7 total pressures, and forced Stafford into uncomfortable throws. The Rams’ quarterback gets the ball out extremely fast, so watch out for Latu next week against Geno Smith, who has the 5th highest time to throw in the NFL.
Mike Hilton
The Colts would be wise to treat Kenny Moore’s calf/Achilles issue with extreme caution, and even more so after how well Hilton played against the Rams. His familiarity with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo also helped ease the transition to playing once again, and he would be a valuable depth piece when (or if) Kenny returns to the playing field this season.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman Jr. continues establishing himself as one of Jones’ favourite players to target, and so far this has been a top heavy passing game with MPJ and Warren getting close to 50% of the target share. The veteran wide receiver is clearly much better suited to play with a quarterback like Jones, and he scored once again against the Rams, his third touchdown of the season.
Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adetomiwa Adebawore (Ade Ade from now on), continued his breakout season with a monster game against the Rams, despite playing just 29% of the total snaps. He finished with a fumble recovery, half a sack, a holding penalty drawn, and four total pressures. He is firmly established as a rotational defensive lineman on the team and should be featured more on the defense the following weeks if he keeps showing out like this.
Spencer Shrader
Perfect day for Shrader, who finally managed to knock one over 50+ yards. After struggling with Matt Gay the past season, the Colts seem to have found their kicker. It also helps just how reliable he is from short range, considering the offense deficiencies getting the ball into the end zone.
Stock Down
A.D. Mitchell
Fumble at the goal-line while celebrating, key holding penalty negating a long touchdown run by JT, I don’t think I ever witnessed a worse game by a Colts’ wide receiver. So far Mitchell’s career has been a massive disappointment, and after a mistake as bad as that one, I doubt he will see the field much in the upcoming weeks.
Xavien Howard
Unlike Mitchell, I don’t think Howard sticks with the team at all after yet another dismal showing. He definitely had a tough matchup, but even taking that into account his lack of effort was concerning. There have to be some better options worth looking into, either in free agency or at least try and make a trade. I think Tariq Woolen is a dream at this point, but there has to be at least some movement made on this front. All the money you gave to Ward is useless if opposing quarterbacks can just pick apart whoever is starting on the other side.
Bernhard Raimann / Dalton Tucker
The Rams have one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL, so it was going to be tough even if the Colts’ o-line was fully healthy. Dalton Tucker started in place of Matt Goncalves, who missed the game because of a toe injury, and it was clear that he was by far the weakest link in the Colts’ line. He was consistently targeted and finished with the single worst grade for a Colts’ offensive linemen this season. Raimann also had his hands full dealing with Jared Verse and Byron Young, and also had a surprising bad game.
Lou Anarumo
Lining up just 10 players after the punt on the game deciding, 88-yard touchdown catch and having Xavien Howard on an island with Puka Nacua on the key 4th down were two inexcusable mistakes from the Colts’ defense, and there is no-one else to blame than defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. It was a very tough matchup, and hopefully he can get back on track against an easier opponent at home versus the Raiders.
See More:
