Colts Awards & Superlatives: 1st quarter of the season!

Which Colts are deserving of some awards for their performances through the 1st quarter of the NFL Season?

MVP: Bernhard Raimann, Left Tackle

While the Colts entire Offensive Line could be nominated for this award, special value has to be given to franchise Left Tackle Bernhard Raimann. He ranks 6th among all Tackles (5th for LTs) in pass pro grade with just 4 pressures allowed, while ranking 11th (8th among LTs) in Blocking Grade. While Will Fries and Quenton Nelson each grade out a bit higher and ranked higher amongst their positions at Guard, Raimann holding it down at Left Tackle is immensely valuable.

As arguably the most irreplaceable player on the current Colts roster, Raimann’s dominance so far this season has been a huge boon.

Offensive Player Of The Year: Alec Pierce, Wide Receiver

While fellow offensive lineman outside of Raimann like Quenton Nelson, Will Fries, or Ryan Kelly could also be candidates for this award, Alec Pierce’s explosive performance so far this season is a strong choice as well.

The former Bearcat is still the field stretching deep threat of the offense, but this year he has finally gotten a pair of QBs who are good deep ball QBs who want to test Defenses deep often. That isn’t to dismiss his development either, as he is having a strong start as well due to better separation (career high is Average Separation Yards) and hands (0% drop %) so far.

Through 5 weeks of the season, Alec Pierce has made some spectacular game-changing plays with much more regularity. From being on the receiving end of one of the farthest air yard completion in Next Gen Stats history as well as strong deep contested catch in Week 1, to a catch from a pass bouncing off of an opposing players helmet in Week 2, to in Week 5 Alec having 2 major deep passes, one TD, one down at the 1 yard line, and an acrobatic self-tip drill catch. The highlight reel so far is just so fun to watch.

Defensive Player Of The Year: Grover Stewart, Defensive Tackle

The Colts Defense has been ravaged by injuries, especially to some of its most important players. However one player that is still standing and has consistently made a big impact is the biggest man on the starting Defense: Nose Tackle Grover Stewart.

He has wrecked havoc on teams in the run game, overwhelming interior blockers and helping free up linebackers to make plays. He has even gotten involved in pass rush, getting a bigger role in collapsing pockets.

With so many leaders of the defense going down, Stewart holding things down has been crucial.

Special Teams Player Of The Year: Rigoberto Sanchez, Punter

Rigoberto Sanchez has been one of the best punters in the NFL so far in 2024, tied for 1st in the NFL in Punts inside the 20 and has on numerous times pinned opposing offenses deep in their own territory.

Sanchez has made life a bit easier on his gunners with a strong balance of height and distance on his punts with good placement, being 2nd in the NFL in Fair Catches.

Offensive Rookie Of The Year: Tanor Bortolini, Center

Tanor Bortolini has impressed in the last 2 weeks. With 2 starts for the injured Pro Bowl Center Ryan Kelly, the Colts didn’t see much if any of a drop off at the position. Bortolini allowed just 1 pressure (a QB Hit) in 83 pass pro snaps and was a good run blocker.

While Kelly should return shortly, this might not be the last we see of Bortolini in the starting lineup in 2024. With Will Fries’ season ending injury at Right Guard, a spot has opened up. It could be manned by Dalton Tucker, a 2024 Undrafted Free Agent who manned the spot well for the rest of Week 5 vs the Jaguars, but if Tucker struggles the Colts could pivot to Bortolini who has collegiate experience at both guard spots too.

Regardless of what happens at Right Guard, so far the Colts have to be encouraged by the former Badger’s start at Center and his future as their next starting Center.

Defensive Rookie Of The Year: Laiatu Latu, Defensive End

Laiatu Latu has racked up 11 pressures and a 15% Pass Rush Win Rate as a rotational pass rusher for the Colts so far, along with 1 clutch strip sack in Week 4 as a signature moment. With the Defensive End position being ravaged by injury, his role has gotten bigger and more important as of late.

Latu’s growth as a top pass rusher for the Colts will be crucial, but so far he has lived up to the challenge in pressuring QBs and disrupting their play.

Comeback Player Of The Year: Anthony Richardson, Quarterback

Anthony Richardson came back from a rough Labrum tear that unceremoniously ended his rookie year and has continued to be a dynamic QB with big play ability. His arm strength is still there. His mobility is still able to open up the run game for himself and his RBs. His pressure sense is still advanced to avoid negative sacks. He came back from that injury and has not lost any of the athletic talent that made him a highly sought after prospect in the 2023 Draft. That is huge for the Colts.

While he did suffer hip/oblique injury that held him out of most of Week 4 vs the Steelers and Week 5 vs the Jaguars, it looks like the Colts starting QB will make his return in Week 6 after logging full participation in practices on Thursday and Friday.

Walter Payton Man of the Year: Kenny Moore II, Cornerback

Kenny Moore II has long been lauded for his leadership on the field and his generosity and sense of community off of it. While he has dealt with an injury recently keeping him off the field, Hurricane Helene hit the Southern US and devastated many communities. One of these was Valdosta, Georgia; Kenny’s hometown and home to his college of Valdosta State.

So the Moore family got to work helping his community with providing essential services to locals hit by the hurricane.

For him and his family’s work with his Love1 Foundation, he is a favorite for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the Colts.

Most Improved Player: Will Fries, Guard

While Alec Pierce and Nick Cross are certainly contenders for this award, I decided to give this one to Will Fries. His performance is certainly a strong choice for MIP, and he should be highlighted in this first quarter awards.

Prior to his injury, Will Fries was playing at an Elite level. He ranked 2nd in PFF Blocking Grade, 4th in Run Blocking, and 11th in Pass Protection, allowing just 6 pressures in 145 pass pro snaps. This breakout into the upper echelon of Guards in the NFL was huge in opening lanes for Colts runners as well as protecting Colts passers. Hopefully he makes a full recovery and is awarded a strong new contract this offseason for his recent performances.

Most Disappointing: Adonai Mitchell, Wide Receiver

AD Mitchell has unfortunately not lived up to expectations thus far in his pro career, catching just 6 of his 20 targets through 5 weeks. The 21 year old former Longhorn has found difficulty in gaining chemistry with Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco, with miscommunications between passer and receiver being the primary factor for incompletions.

Colts WR Coach Reggie Wayne has defended the rookie, but acknowledged that there are things to work on and develop. While it is clear that Mitchell is 4th on the Colts depth chart behind more established WRs like Pittman, Pierce, and Downs, that doesn’t mean the Colts aren’t high on him. To paraphrase Wayne “He already knows how to the hard stuff (get open)”. Consistency and repetition are what is needed.

Best Free Agent: Samuel Womack III, Cornerback

Samuel Womack III might not have been with the Colts during camp, but the Waiver Wire addition is certainly showing a veteran’s level of familiarity, preparedness, and comfort in the Colts system. With injuries to JuJu Brents (IR) and Kenny Moore II, the Colts needed someone to step into a much larger role at Corner. Womack has filled that need and then some so far with the Colts.

So far he has an 80.1 PFF Defense grade, showing skills in run defense and coverage on the outside and in the slot. Womack has been targeted 6 times, allowing only 3 catches for 25 yards and a TD with 3 pass break ups. Even with Kenny Moore II likely returning shortly, Womack III has clearly earned a role on the outside along with Jaylon Jones going forward in 2024.

Funniest Moment: Joe Flacco Post-Game Interview Week 4

Don’t worry Joe, we all still think you are plenty cool despite your age.