The excitement from the 2023 NFL Draft has settled, and the work begins. The Indianapolis Colts selected quarterback Anthony Richardson as their franchise cornerstone.
He is now the assumed answer to a very strenuous post-Andrew Luck life.
With this transition comes great responsibility, but at just 20 years old (21 in May) and only 13 games under his belt, Richardson will need help from his teammates as he navigates his rookie season.
Here’s a look at six Colts who need to step up for Richardson in 2023:
1
LG Quenton Nelson
Though Nelson earned himself Pro Bowl honors last season, his play was anything but stellar. Nelson often looked lost in protection, and it was not immediately clear if it was his own doing or due to compensating for sub-par play from those around him. Unsurprisingly, he had his worst season in a Colts uniform, allowing career-highs in sacks, pressures, hurries, and quarterback hits.
Somewhere, Nelson lost his edge, his “mauler” mentality. But, with youth now in the most critical position, Nelson will have to step up. His demeanor will dictate the offensive line play, and cohesion will be vital, particularly regarding offensive production and protecting the quarterback.
2
C Ryan Kelly
After much offseason speculation surrounding a potential trade, Kelly will return for 2023. Like Nelson, Kelly has not produced to his standards in back-to-back seasons. However, it’s now or never for the veteran as his rookie quarterback will depend on his leadership and skills to navigate the NFL’s unknown waters.
Getting back to elite play would strengthen the interior line and allow Kelly to do what he does best: directing plays, calling out protections, and making key decisions. His mastery of these responsibilities would dramatically ease the load of Richardson’s rookie learning scale.
3
RB Jonathan Taylor
Taylor had a down year between injuries and a porous offensive line. Far removed from his 2021 rushing title of over 1800 yards and 20 touchdowns, Taylor only put up 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Still, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Despite these obstacles, Taylor averaged 4.5 yards per carry, a welcomed sign for a rookie quarterback. Additionally, with his ankle surgeries behind him, Taylor can focus on being a go-to safety valve for a quarterback that will need time to find his footing.
4
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Putting Michael Pittman Jr. on this list almost feels criminal, as he was one of the few bright spots on a struggling offense, but having more than one safety valve for Richardson is ideal. In a down year, Pittman still led the team in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
He’ll need that same go-getter mentality this season, as Richardson will likely look to him often. “Throw to score points, run to win” is head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive philosophy, and it’s reasonable to assume Pittman will be one of many options to accomplish that with Richardson at the helm.
5
TE Jelani Woods
Tight end Jelani Woods is a player to watch to have a breakout sophomore season, right on time to run in parallel with Richardson’s development. At 6-foot-7 and 253 pounds, Woods is a massive target and was highly underutilized in the offense last season. But Woods has shown flashes he can be a premier target. He hauled in three touchdowns and 312 yards last season, including four plays of 25 yards or more.
Woods will need those abilities (and more) to be a viable option in Richardson’s toolkit. The ghosts of tight ends past, like Jack Doyle, continue to plague the team as they look for dependable options, especially in the red zone.
6
HC Shane Steichen
Of course, the head coach needs to step up for the young quarterback. But when it comes to Steichen’s role, it will have a lot of impact on Richardson’s early development both as a runner and a thrower. It will be vital for Steichen to get Richardson comfortable in the pocket while avoiding putting too much on his plate.
Richardson may be further along in his development than most would assume for a player with 13 collegiate starts, but Steichen must make sure they don’t rush his process at an unsustainable rate.
