Now that the trade deadline is finally over, we can finally start talking about the guys who are certainly not going to be here and focus on the guys who might be next year.
Obviously the Colts won’t be competing for something meaningful this season, but there is always something to play for in the NFL.
The Colts roster has some older vets, but they also have some younger developmental player that are going to get opportunities to play the rest of the way. Here are the 5 I’m watching 1. LG Jalen Farmer
It goes without saying that Jalen Farmer was never going to replace Quenton Nelson. That is all but impossible. He is one the best LG’s to ever play the position.
The one thing we took for granted in the Chris Ballard era was that the OL was rarely in flux. 2022 comes to mind, but other than that, the line was taken care of.
Is Jalen Farmer the long-term answer? I don’t know that. It’s hard to project who the new OL coach is, who the new GM likes, and what resources the Colts want to invest in that position. And unlike Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, and especially Bernhard Raimann, there’s less of a proof of concept that he can play at a high level.
But Farmer does have a chance. At the moment he’s struggled with stunts and twists in pass pro, but also some of the Run ID’s
He’s definitely a powerful presence on the OL, he can get movement in the run game, but he is lacking a bit of athleticism to climb to the 2nd level.
I’m excited to see his development. Ultimately I think the Colts current run game has been predicated on having some of the most athletic interior offensive lineman in the sport, and Farmer has struggled to live up to that billing. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t develop into a great guard for them.
2. Seth McGowan
I’m unsure as to what the future holds for Jonathan Taylor. He has not denied that he asked for a trade request, and where there’s smoke there’s fire. I think the Colts would be wise to keep him at this point, but if JT would like a change of scenery, we’ve seen these things drag out in the offseason.
That being said, I think this is a great opportunity for Seth McGowan.
I think Seth McGowan can develop into a lead back. Like Farmer, those are massive shoes to replace and he will almost certainly not be able to live up to that kind of production.
But I imagine something similar to what we’re seeing in Los Angelas with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum.
I don’t think McGowan has shown the twitchiness or home run speed that the elite backs have, but he is a tough hard nose runner that almost always falls forward. He has burst in gap scheme to hit the hole, and he’s already the best pass protecting running back on the team.
He reminds me of Zack Moss, who I always thought played a pivotal role for the Colts in 2023.
3. Jaylahn Tuimoloau
Defensive players are always the hardest to project. I have no clue what the defensive scheme will be and there’s a chance that, despite his growth as a run defender and pass rusher, Tuimoloau just won’t be a fit.
But nonetheless, I think he’s a player that is intriguing. To be quite honest, I had no clue if Tuimoloau would even play on defense after the preseason he had.
But he’s responded in a way I’m not sure we could have predicted. Each week he’s played better and better and that’s exactly what a new GM wants to see as he looks to shape this roster for the future.
He’s shown he can kick inside and rush on guards, he’s setting better edges in the run game, and has done a nice job in his role as a contain rusher.
I don’t know that is ceiling is high enough to be a perennial double digit sack guy, but when he was drafted, that’s never what was advertised. Right now I think he’s developed right where the Colts thought he would be.
I am interested to see where he ends up. I’m not sure where he’ll factor in the 2027 scheme, but definitely a guy who has been a net positive for the team this year.
4. CJ Allen
The expectations for CJ Allen always felt higher than they probably should have. I think that was partly because the Colts did very little to address the position, and then did very little to quell those expectations by touting his ability to be a potential green dot from Day 1.
In today’s NFL with so much motion, condensed sets, under center play action, and unique body types at TE, I feel like playing LB as a rookie is as tough as it’s ever been.
Despite some of the early hype for CJ Allen, he didn’t really get a full offseason and it always felt like it was an uphill battle for him to be a contributor early in his rookie tenure. I think he’s still getting into football shape, mentally and physically. It’s hard for a player, let alone a rookie, to get up to speed, when you don’t get that full training camp— and then definitely difficult when you aren’t getting reps in the beginning of the season either
Weird linebacker rotations aside, I have a close eye on CJ Allen. Early on there’s not a ton of reps to gleam from, so take these early observations with the smallest grain of salt.
In the run game, I think he’d benefit from a fast flowing defense that allows you to shoot gaps. Right now it feels like offensive lineman are moving him off the ball more than you would like. In pass coverage I think he’s shown he has relatively good instincts in vision zone. The change of direction appears a bit stiff, but that’s ok for a MLB.
The play-style stands out, maybe in part because it’s been lacking from other guys on the defense, but maybe that’s just CJ. He’s a high energy linebacker that will fly to the football.
I am excited to see where the ceiling for CJ Allen is when he gets more reps at the NFL level, but at a bare minimum, I think he’s earned the right to compete at the MLB spot next year.
