According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, the Indianapolis Colts rank just 20th in team talent under the age of 25-years-old headed into the 2025 campaign:
20. Indianapolis Colts
2024 ranking: 12
Blue-chip players: QB Anthony Richardson Sr., TE Tyler Warren
Notable graduated players: WR Alec Pierce
Yes, Richardson still counts as a “blue-chip player” despite his struggles last season. Taken at No. 4 in the 2023 draft, he has thrown for 2,391 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons. Remember that he came into the league very young, so he will be only 23 years old in his third season. There’s plenty of potential for him to develop.
If he can win the starting job over veteran Daniel Jones, he’ll be throwing to a set of young receivers including 24-year-old Josh Downs, 22-year-old Adonai Mitchell and 23-year-old rookie Warren. The projected right guard, Matt Goncalves, is still 24; projected center Tanor Bortolini turned 23 in June.
On defense, the young talent starts in the secondary, where both 23-year-old safety Nick Cross and 23-year-old cornerback Jaylon Jones started all 17 games last season. Jaylon Carlies moves into the starting lineup at linebacker at age 23. Last year’s first-round pick, edge Laiatu Latu, turns 25 on the final day of 2025, and another important Colts edge rusher, second-round rookie JT Tuimoloau, is 22 years old.
The Colts saw a considerable drop, descending from 12th to 20th this offseason. They’re also ranked last among their AFC South rivals as far as young talent is concerned.
As Schatz points out, the Colts still have some talent with Laiatu Latu, Tyler Warren, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, AD Mitchell, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Nick Cross, Jaylon Jones, JT Tuimoloau, and Anthony Richardson, etc. out there under the age of 25-years-old.
The issue is that there’s isn’t a clear player right now that’s a bonafide NFL star under 25.
In years of not too far Horseshoe past, the Colts could point toward a Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, or even Darius ‘Shaq’ Leonard, but they no longer have such a luxury.
If it all clicks for Anthony Richardson on the field in his 3rd season, with his elite physical talent, speed, and athleticism, the Colts could truly skyrocket in these latest rankings.
However, time will tell!