Five games into the 2026 NFL season, ESPN's Bill Barnwellis revisiting his preseason bold predictions for each team, including the Indianapolis Colts.
Prior to Week 1, Barnwell predicted that either Sauce Gardner or Charvarius Ward would be a first-team All-Pro.
So far, Ward has performed well, while Gardner hasn't found the same success, but Barnwell says there's still a chance his prediction could be correct.
"Ward has put up solid numbers to start the season, allowing 0.8 yards per coverage snap (better than the 1.1 average for an outside corner) and minus-4.7 EPA when targeted, per NFL Next Gen Stats," Barnwell wrote. "Gardner hasn't fared nearly as well, but it's too early to count this one out."
To Barnwell's point about Ward, he has allowed
a completion rate of just 41.2% when targeted this season, with QBs possessing a passer rating of only 64.3.
With Gardner, it's been very boom or bust. He's surrendered a completion rate of 56% but is giving up 21.7 yards per catch.
If either player is going to make an All-Pro push, more ball production is needed. Combined, Ward and Gardner have zero interceptions and four pass breakups.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Revisiting preseason bold prediction for Colts' Ward, Gardner
