ClutchPoints
It was a second-place finish in the AFC South for the Indianapolis Colts last season, but their 8-9 record was not enough for a playoff berth. They have not made the playoffs since the 2020 season. Still, the Colts have plenty of young players ready to take the next step. These are the three underrated Colts who could be breakout sleepers in the 2025 NFL season.
The Colts last made the playoffs as a wildcard team in the 2020 season, losing in the Wild Card round to the Buffalo Bills. They would go 9-8 the next year before going 4-12-1 in 2022. The Colts would then draft Anthony Richardson, but have gone a combined 17-17 in those two seasons. They also still do not have a playoff berth with Richardson. The Colts still have plenty of young parts. Some players need to step up if they are going to make it to the playoffs in the 2025 season, or potentially win their first AFC South title since the 2014 season.
The Colts did not make many splashy offseason moves. They brought in Charvarius Ward in the secondary. The Colts also brought in Daniel Jones at quarterback. They did move on from some defensive players in the front seven, and also kicker Matt Gay. Now, new players need to break out if the Colts are going to break their playoff drought.
The Colts were tied for 25th in the NFL last year in sacks while sitting 26th in the NFL in pressure rate. Latu was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 player in college, an All-American, and winner of the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards in college. He would be selected 15th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Still, while he did make the PFWA All-Rookie team, his first season in the NFL was rather quiet.
Latu had just four sacks for a total of 23 yards last season. That places him third on the team in sacks, behind Kwity Paye and DeForest Buckner. Further, he has just five tackles for a loss, well behind Paye, Buckner, and fellow defensive lineman Grover Stewart. While Dayo Odeyingbo left in free agency, the Colts also drafted JT Tuimoloau, another defensive end, in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Latu needs to step up this year with Paye and Tuimoloau on the roster. Latu did have some highlights this past season, though. He had 38 total pressures and a 14 percent pass rush win rate, which was one of the best win rates on the Colts. The Colts have also brought in a new defensive coordinator, who should help Latu this upcoming season. Lou Anarumo has been brought in from the Cincinnati Bengals. He helped develop Trey Hendrickson into one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. If the Colts are going to improve on defense this year, it starts with the pass rush. That starts with Latu breaking out into a star....
