The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Colts continued a tried-and-true method in 2022 of bringing in a new veteran at quarterback. But after remaining at least competitive with that the previous few seasons, the wheels came off the bus in 2022. The experiment with Matt Ryan flamed out, leading to him being out of the league and Frank Reich being fired mid-season. The Colts now are looking at a new era in 2023.

Off-Season Changes

The team did plenty of changing this off-season. Ryan and Nick Foles were released as the Colts looked to re-make the quarterback room. Wide receiver Parris Campbell, who had a decent 2022 season, signed with the New York Giants. Meanwhile, pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue left to sign with the Chicago Bears.

The biggest changes for the Colts came at Head Coach—where the team hired former Eagles’ Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen—and quarterback, where the team drafted Anthony Richardson with its First-Round selection. Richardson has tremendous upside, which makes him an intriguing prospect. He threw for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns, adding 654 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in 2022 for Florida. Now it’s up to Steichen to unlock his potential as the Colts’ starter.

The team also added veteran Gardner Minshew, who played with the Eagles last season, to the quarterback room. In the draft, the Colts added cornerback Julius Brents in the Second Round. In the Third Round, the team added receiver Josh Downs, then later added a tight end in Will Mallory and a running back in Evan Hull.

Fantasy Impact

I suspect that Richardson will be the starter all season. There will be growing pains, but his rushing upside makes him an intriguing QB2 option. In the backfield, the team should be able to rely on Jonathan Taylor. If he’s there, I like him as an RB1. The question is if he can settle his issues with the team. That’s a situation to monitor throughout the pre-season. The Colts don’t have another back on the roster that I’d trust among Zack Moss, Kenyan Drake and Hull.

In the passing game, the top option in Michael Pittman, Jr. He’s been the team’s top receiver the past few seasons, finishing as WR20 last season. I like him as a low-end WR2 in 2023. The team has Alec Piece, Isaiah McKenzie and Downs, who could all play a role. I like Downs and Pierce best in dynasty and Pierce best for 2023. He’s a WR4/5 for me. Tight end is a toss-up. The team has veteran Mo Alie-Cox, second-year man Jelani Woods and rookie Mallory, among others. I’m not trusting any of them as a weekly start at this point.

Prediction

The Colts were 4-12-1 last year and hard to watch. I think they’ll be more fun to watch, but this is a five- or six-win team to me. It will take some time to turn things around and get Richardson going.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.