6 Bold Predictions for the 2024 Colts Season

As the first week of play approaches for the Indianapolis Colts, it’s time to get out the crystal ball and make some predictions for the upcoming season.

On paper, the pieces are there for the Colts to piece together a successful season. But like any largely unproven team, that potential needs to be finally realized on Sundays when it counts.

When making predictions, there’s always a fine line between something so far off it won’t happen and stating the obvious. I’ve done my best to strike that balance. Here are my six predictions for the upcoming 2024 NFL season for the Colts.

Laiatu Latu wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

I’m not sure how bold that statement is, but it’s a prediction. Latu was the first defensive player taken off the board in April’s draft and has looked the part since arriving in Indianapolis. Whether it’s in one-on-ones, team drills or preseason games, he’s another disruptive presence on the Colts’ defensive front. Latu’s run for Defensive Rookie of the Year will also be aided by the depth of the Colts’ frontcourt, playing alongside DeForest Buckner, Kwita Paye, Grover Stewart and others, which will give him opportunities to play one-on-one.

Top five OL and DL in terms of pressure rate

GM Chris Ballard has invested heavily in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and the Colts look poised to take advantage of that this season. In my opinion, the offensive line ranks fifth in lowest pressure rate, while the defensive line ranks fifth in pressure rate on opposing quarterbacks. On offense, the Colts return all five starters from a unit that performed well in that category last season, while on defense, the Colts have built a hockey-like rotation with the depth they have. As the old saying goes, if you can control the line of scrimmage, you can control the game.

Ballard was extremely bullish on Jonathan Taylor and what he expects from him this season. Playing behind a solid offensive line, sharing the field with Anthony Richardson, and being fully healthy throughout the offseason are all reasons why I predict Taylor could surpass 1,200 rushing yards this season. That would be the second-most among all running backs in 2023.

Jonathan Taylor Wins Comeback Player of the Year Award

This prediction obviously goes hand in hand with the previous one. Due to injuries, Taylor has only appeared in 21 games combined over the past two seasons. So if he can get over 1,200 rushing yards in 2024, I think he’ll be in the running for NFL Comeback Player of the Year as well.

Josh Downs surpasses 1,000 receiving yards

Downs had 771 total yards as a rookie in 2023, so he wasn’t that far off. During training camp and before his injury, he seemed poised to make the kind of leap in his second year that many successful NFL players make. Even with other options at playmaker on offense, Downs seemed like Richardson’s favorite target, as the two have developed a strong rapport. That continuity into the regular season should give Downs plenty of opportunities.

How many wins have the Colts had?

When the Colts schedule was first released, I made an initial prediction about the record and assumed they would win 10 games — so let’s stick with that. Like every team, the Colts have their unknowns, especially on defense and what to expect from Anthony Richardson, but the pieces of the puzzle for a successful football season are there. As mentioned, being really good on both offense and defense will be a challenge for opponents, and Richardson is surrounded by Taylor, Downs, AD Mitchell, Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. There’s also something to be said for the familiarity and continuity of Shane Steichen’s offense for a second season. As Ballard said before training camp, with the team around him, Richardson won’t have to do everything — he’ll have help.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 6 Bold Predictions for the 2024 Colts Season