Stampede Blue
As the Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the offseason program Thursday with the final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp, key position battles are beginning to take form ahead of training camp.
The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the NFL offseason program on Thursday with the final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp. Key position battles are beginning to take form as players split reps with six weeks before the Colts report to training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind on July 22.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones
Quarterback Anthony Richardson was given the keys to the Colts franchise for his first two seasons, but his starter status is in doubt because he has yet to stay healthy for the duration of a full NFL season, or an offseason for that matter. The 23-year-old’s development has been plagued by numerous injuries and setbacks, including the most recent aggravation of the same AC joint in his throwing shoulder that ultimately required surgery during his rookie season. Richardson was ultimately shut down before the second week of OTAs and veteran minicamp.
Indianapolis’ fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is as unique of an athlete as one could find. There is not a single other player on the roster that can put on a show like Richardson, whose highlights feature a jaw-dropping ability to launch the football well over 60 yards through the air off his back foot, tagged with his dual-threat capabilities to outrun defenders in the open field or run over defenders at the goal line.
As Richardson enters a pivotal third campaign with the Colts, he has to prove to head coach Shane Steichen that he can stay consistent before he is renamed the starter. He has to prove to GM Chris Ballard, and much of the fanbase, that he can stay healthy for a 17-game season. Perhaps most importantly, Richardson has to prove that he is ready to show what it takes to be an NFL QB.
A sixth-year professional quarterback should be able to waltz into this situation and gain any possible advantage in the competition by gaining rapport with the starting offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones took command of all the first-team reps during the second week of OTAs and minicamp. If Richardson’s injury lingers early into training camp, Jones may emerge as the favorite to become the Colts Week 1 starter.
Wide Receiver: Alec Pierce vs Adonai Mitchell
Receivers Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell will be tied together in discussions for the second consecutive training camp. Competition brought out the best of Pierce last season, who thrived with a breakout campaign. Pierce led the Colts with 824 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on just 37 receptions, while his 22.3 yards per reception led all NFL receivers.
Mitchell arrived on the scene with a chip on his shoulder after falling to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He struggled to find a rhythm with either QB last season and was limited to just 23 catches for...
