The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Colts went into the 2023 season looking forward to a new era with a new franchise quarterback in Anthony Richardson. He lasted four games before leaving with a season-ending injury. In his stead, veteran Gardner Minshew stepped up. He wasn’t flashy—and neither were the Colts—but they were good enough to be in the playoff hunt right to the last week. Had the Colts won in Week 18, it would have been them and not the Texans in the playoffs. But, instead, they finished 9-8 and technically third in the AFC South. Now, with Richardson back healthy, the Colts will look to begin a new era. Let’s dive into the 2024 Colts.

Off-Season Changes

Minshew was solid in 2023, finishing as QB21. He parlayed that into a new, two-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Zack Moss, meanwhile, who led the team’s backfield before Jonathan Taylor returned also parlayed a solid 2023 season into a new two-year contract, where he’ll be leading the Cincinnati Bengals’ backfield. While Richardson is back and figures to be the starter, the Colts did add some insurance, bringing in veteran Joe Flacco. Last year for the Browns, Flacco went 4-1, throwing for 1,616 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned Comeback Player of the Year honors and gives the Colts plenty of insurance.

In the draft, the team spent its First-Round pick on Laiatu Latu, a premier pass rusher to bolster the defense. In the Second Round, the Colts added to the offense with former Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell. He caught 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. He figures to slot in nicely with the Colts’ young core of pass catchers.

Fantasy Prospects

Can Richardson stay on the field? That’s the big question, because his upside in fantasy remains amazing. Though four games, Richardson was QB4 on a points-per-game basis. He has QB1 potential, but I like him as a QB2 this season. In the backfield, it’s Jonathan Taylor. He got off to a slow start after holding out in 2023, but Taylor finished averaging 15.6 points per game. That was good enough for RB12, and I think he steps up in a full season in 2024. He’s an RB1 for me.

In the passing game, the Colts locked up top receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. He was WR13, just on the cusp of WR1 production. I like him to sneak into the Top 12 in 2024. Among the rest, the Colts have Mitchell, second-year man Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. I like Downs and Mitchell to split work, and each have some value. Downs could even be in WR4 territory. Pierce feels like the odd man out, both for re-draft and dynasty. At tight end, the Colts have three or four guys competing for limited targets. The one with the best upside is arguably Jelani Woods, but I don’t trust any of them to finish Top 25.

Prediction

The veteran presence of Minshew helped guide a good team in 2023. The Colts played ahead of expectation and won nine games. So, with Richardson back that should improve, right? I think Richardson will take some lumps he didn’t experience by missing most of his rookie season. This is still a talented team that will be fun to watch, but I suspect they’ll again be in the seven-to-nine-win range, finishing just short of the playoffs.

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.