Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Top 10 MOST IMPORTANT Indianapolis Colts For Success in 2025

Episode Date: May 29, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts are entering a make-or-break season in 2025. After Anthony Richardson (and Daniel Jones), which players are the most vital when it comes to their pursuit of the playoffs? Becom...e a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Today, we are ranking the top 10 most important players on the Colts for success in the 2025 season. We all know who number one is going to be, but who rounds out this top 10 list? Let's get to it. You are locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast network, your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts part of the locked on podcast network,
Starting point is 00:00:37 your team every day. My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd of horseshoe huddle.com and today we are going to go through a beautiful listicle breaking down the top 10 most important players on this Colts team when it comes to success for the 2025 season. So just a caveat to that this is not just the top 10 best players on the team. This is again a list going through the 10 players that are most important for this team to have success and get that end goal of making the playoffs this upcoming year. So we're gonna be going through,
Starting point is 00:01:10 it's gonna be a little bit of positional value, a little bit of talent and a little bit of guys that need to break out and have big seasons. We're gonna go through one through three to start off this show. So we're not doing 10 down to one, we're doing the top of the list first, one through three to kick off the show.
Starting point is 00:01:25 Then we're going to go through the number 4 through 7 and then close it out with 8 through 10. So without further ado, let's talk about the number one player most important for the Colts this season when it comes to having success in 2025. And that is none other than quarterback Anthony Richardson. I think if you were to do this for all 32 teams in the NFL, the quarterback would be number one on every single list because this is such a quarterback driven league. A lot of teams, they kind of live and die by what their quarterback is going to do. Like, yes, you can have talent on your team that can steal you a couple wins without your quarterback. But at the end of the day, if you want to be a playoff type team, you need your quarterback to be a playoff caliber quarterback and the Colts just simply haven't had that since what the Phillip River season in 2020 and obviously before that they had Andrew Luck in 2018 and prior but they really have not had that high level play from quarterback in a very long time for a majority of the Chris Ballard era here in Indianapolis. Anthony Richardson's going into year three through the first two seasons.
Starting point is 00:02:27 He's been marred by injuries and inconsistencies. And I mean, last year his play hit like a new low, especially early in the season. So yeah, he's the most important player, man. The Colts want to make the playoffs this year. They need the best version of Anthony Rich and they need him to live up to that top five pick billing. To a lesser degree, Daniel Jones kind of slides in there with him at number one, but you guys know my thoughts on Daniel Jones. I'm not going to go too much into Daniel Jones here, but yes, whoever the quarterback is, I guess is number one on this list. And honestly,
Starting point is 00:03:00 they're both kind of sharing number one because in my opinion, I think both players are going to start games for the Colts this upcoming season. So maybe it's a little bit of a cheat to put both players at number one, but it really is Anthony Richardson and or Daniel Jones, whoever the heck the quarterback is for the Indianapolis Colts. That is the most important player on the team. So we're going to kind of go over gloss over that one a little bit, because again, it's a quarterback driven league.
Starting point is 00:03:24 You guys understand that where my list kind of gets a little controversial, I think, is at number two. Now for me, the most important positions in the NFL are your offensive tackles slash your offensive line in general, your cornerbacks and your past rushers. Obviously that's the way the NFL is going. We know that a lot of just this league is built around throwing the football, protecting the thrower and pressuring the thrower on the other side of the ball. So for me, the second most important player on this Colts team is left tackle Baron Hart
Starting point is 00:03:56 Ryman and it's not because again, it's not because Ryman is the second best player on this Colts roster. It's simply because that left tackle position is so big. The blind side of your quarterback, especially when we look at Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson's history of fumbles. I mean, Daniel Jones led the NFL in fumbles multiple times. Anthony Richardson is certainly at his issues with it as well. That blindside pass protector is a vital, vital piece to the puzzle. And the Colts really don't have like a key backup.
Starting point is 00:04:25 Like if we're looking at like corner or pass rusher, you know, the Colts have other guys who can step up and be adequate at those positions and hold down the fort to a degree. When we're looking at left tackle, it's either rookie Jalen Travis or Blake Freeland, who's going to his third year and every single time he's been on the field, it hasn't been very good. So if Bernhard Reimann struggles or deals with injuries this year, the drop off is so vast that I do think that Bernhard Reimann is the Colts'
Starting point is 00:04:53 second most important player coming into the season. He's up for a contract after this season and I expect him to get paid handsomely. He's been one of the top 10 to 15 left tackles in football for the last two seasons. Been a fantastic starter for the Colts. Very, very talented player at arguably the second most important position on the team. And I expect his play to keep up this next season. So he did miss a little over a month last season due to injuries. I believe the concussion was the big one in there. So hopefully he can stay healthy for this Colts team to get where they want,
Starting point is 00:05:28 where they want to go. But Baron Hart Ryman is who I have as the second most important player on this Colts team going into next year just because of the sheer importance of left tackle and also, you know, factoring a little bit of the quality of his play as well. He is a very good player. He would be a top 10 player if this was purely by talent on the roster. So Bernhard Reimann comes in at number two for me on the list on most important Colts players when it comes to them hitting their goals in 2025. And we go to number
Starting point is 00:05:56 three, I have another kind of hot take here. So again, you guys let me know in the comments section what you think of this hot take here. but this one is a bit of a projection and it's more so me saying what this player needs to be if the Colton be a playoff team. But I'm actually going with Leotu Latu at number three. Like I said, to lead off the Baron Hart Ryman thing here, I said that so much of the NFL is built around pressuring the quarterback and protecting the quarterback. Well, when it comes to pressuring the quarterback, they need their top 15 pick from 2024 to be that top 15 pick caliber player.
Starting point is 00:06:30 They need him to take a huge step forward. I mean, when you're looking at what this defense desperately needs, you know, they have the forest Buckner who's consistent interior rushing threat. They have Zio Franklin, who's a turnover forcer at, at the second level. You know, we can argue about his highs and lows of his play, but, you know, he can make some plays on the football and they brought in some quality guys in the secondary. What they really need is an edge rusher to emerge this season and they needed to
Starting point is 00:06:56 be layout to lot to, uh, they invested that top 15 picking him for a reason. He had a pretty solid rookie season, but this next year it needs to be about finishing sacks. It needs to be about making those impact plays. And if he's able to do that, like again, outside of Ryman and Richardson, I don't know if there's a more valuable player on this Colts team. If they can have a true impact player off the edge, I really think that that value is just sky high for the team. So, yeah, if the Colts want to be a playoff team this next season, obviously they need Richardson to step up and be the quarterback they drafted to be. They need Ryman to stay healthy and continue doing what he's doing. But honestly, third most important for me is just Leatu Latu becoming
Starting point is 00:07:39 the guy they drafted him to be. It's year two for him. He's going into his age 25 season. The time is now for Leatsu Lattu to become that player the Colts drafted him to be. I fully think he's capable of doing it. He just needs to show it on the field. But really that is one of the most important players. So you guys can let me know in the comment section below if I'm putting too much stock in positional value over talent there because obviously when we get through four through seven We're gonna be talking about like the four highest played paid players on the roster aside from Quentin Nelson So like we are mixing in talent here
Starting point is 00:08:13 But I really think when you're looking at just the high end of like what needs to happen for this Colts team to make the playoffs I can't think of a more important development aside from Richardson than Leatu Lattu becoming that guy off the edge. They didn't draft him to become another Quidipay. They didn't draft him to become another Dayo Udango who are good NFL starting caliber pass rushers. They drafted him that high to be that next level guy. That guy who was, you know, he was that in college.
Starting point is 00:08:43 They need him to be that in the NFL. So I'm not not saying he's become Max Crosby all of a sudden this season but there needs to be a big jump in play for this Colts team to make the playoffs because If they don't get it then their edge rusher group is really not Complimenting to Forrest Buckner and and I see some issues really coming up with that defense So yeah at the end of the day Lao Tzu Lao Tzu I think is one of the most So yeah at the end of the day Lao Tzu Lao Tzu I think is one of the most important players for the Colts this upcoming season and he needs to have a big year in Year two for the Indianapolis Colts but coming up guys that was one through three again Anthony Richardson number one
Starting point is 00:09:17 Bernhardt Ryman number two in Lao Tzu Lao Tzu number three We're gonna dive into four through seven the four through seven most important players on the Colts roster when it comes to hitting their goals in 2025. But first, the NBA playoffs are in full swing and every night delivers highlight worthy performances, major momentum shifts and can't miss moments. Whether it's a game winning shot or a breakout player, there's nothing better. There's never been a better time to get in on the action.
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Starting point is 00:10:31 and place your first $5 bet. If it wins, you'll get $200 in bonus bets. Make every moment more with FanDuel Official Sports Betting Partner of the NBA. Alrighty, locked on Colts every day or I got my positional value players out of the way in But now when we look through four through seven, we're looking at the consistent players We're looking at the players who we expect to have big seasons and ultimately it's just the stars being stars I guess at this point when it comes through number four through seven So going into number four obviously again pass rush is so vital to the NFL So DeForest Buckner is my number four player for most important player on the Colts team
Starting point is 00:11:23 He's been playing at a pro bowl to all-pro level for most important player on the Colts team. He's been playing at a pro bowl to all pro level for his entire tenure with the Colts, like I know last year he dealt with injury, but he has just been a force to be reckoned with with the Colts. Fantastic leader, one of the best players in the organization in recent memory and just a fantastic football player. And I'm pretty I'm pretty confident in saying that he's going to be a very good football player again for the Colts this next season. It's all about him just maintaining his pace and maintaining his play.
Starting point is 00:11:53 If he comes out and plays like the Forrest Buckner next season, the Colts will have a better chance to win football games, obviously, just because he is that kind of Forrest player for the team. And it goes in line again with our number three player Leotu Lachula. Colts past rush needs to have a big jump this next season. It can't all just be one player. So if Leotu Lachula is hitting where we want him to hit, DeForest Buckner needs to be who DeForest Buckner has been the last four or five seasons with the team. So yeah, DeForest Buckner. There's not too much you can really say about him. Just an awesome football player has been great.
Starting point is 00:12:26 I want his run defense to maybe get up a little bit better this next season. But as a pass rusher, he's a consistent performer and he's he's just a dominant player for the Colts. So DeForest Buckner, number four, purely out of his own dominance and also at a position of need as a pass rusher, an interior player, fantastic football player for the Colts. And I expect him to have a big season going to number five that we're talking Indeed on as a pass rusher and interior player, fantastic football player for the Colts and I expect him to have a big season going to number five that we're talking about another
Starting point is 00:12:48 veteran here, but this is a new edition veteran and that is cornerback Charvarius Ward. We're a little bit of run of defenders here in my top 10 most important Colts, but when it comes Charvarius Ward, you know, this was the big edition of the offseason. The Colts getting a number one cornerback in to play on their defense under Luan Arumbo, the Colts have already said that Ward is going to travel with number one wide receivers, which is massive. And that just bumps his value up even more, because if you look at where the Colts really struggled these past couple of seasons, it really is, you know,
Starting point is 00:13:20 whenever they go against these teams that have just a number one alpha wide receiver, they have struggled in recent memory. I mean, you look at Nico Collins and all the big games he's had against the Colts. You look at Justin Jefferson having a massive game last season against the team. I can certainly go through more. I mean, Calvin Ridley had a couple of long touchdowns against the Colts, and he's not even that kind of guy compared to guys like Collins and Jefferson, obviously. So, yeah, the Colts have needed this number one corner for a long time.
Starting point is 00:13:47 I don't even think, you know, in the last 20, 25 years outside of Vontae Davis, they've had that caliber of guy here with the Colts. So getting a guy like Ward, who not only has the athleticism and the experience to be that player who capable of traveling with number one receivers, but also has the playmaking ability the tenacity the Physicality the pedigree he's been to a Super Bowl as well Like this is a guy who I think the Colts have needed for a long time Especially now that they have Louie and a remote system coming in that's gonna be more man man coverage. It's gonna be more
Starting point is 00:14:20 Diversity of coverages they have needed this number one corner for a long time And I think a lot of what their defense going to do this year I mean obviously against gonna come down to their pass rush but outside of that it comes down to what kind of Travarius war they're getting if they're getting him from his prime years of how he played with the forty niners this colds defense could be really darn good this next season with Anna Rumo but if they do get me know more of last season where his plays took a step back due to the injuries and Unfortunately the personal tragedy that he went through Then this defense could struggle quite a bit So a lot of it's gonna go as far as charvarius ward takes them I expect big things for him because I do think he is a top 10 quarterback in the NFL And I think the Colts, you know paid the right money for him to get him in here. So Charvarius Ward super important to the Colts, you know, paid the right money for him to get him in here. So Travarious Ward super important to the Colts success this next season.
Starting point is 00:15:08 And I'm not going to say that they're trying to hope on him single handedly changing the entire defense, but a lot of what this defense is going to do this next season hinges on Travarious Ward being the guy they're paying him to be. And I fully expect them to hit that. So, yeah, Travarious Ward comes in at number five on my top 10 most important Colts players when it comes to success in the 2025 season.
Starting point is 00:15:28 We're switching back over to offense now at number six. And this is running back Jonathan Taylor. You know, a lot of people like again, when I'm talking about the early part of this list, it was all about positional value, you know, passer, protect passer, rush passer. Now we're going to running back, which is like the most hated position when it comes to positional value. But when it comes to this Colts team, they're in a unique situation where.
Starting point is 00:15:51 You know, they want to be a run first football team. They want to be a ground and pound type team, and they really have to be because of the inconsistencies at quarterback over the past couple of years. So a player like Jonathan Taylor becomes so vital to the operation of this team because they want to have that identity of being a top five rushing team in the NFL. So Taylor is just a vital piece of the puzzle this next season. They need him to be all pro caliber Jonathan Taylor like we saw this past season. I would argue that he was a top five running back in the NFL last year. I think he was by all accounts
Starting point is 00:16:25 that good of a player had a really strong final month of the year that pushed himself into that top five category yet again. And it's all about just continuing that play. Taylor has been really, really good under Shane Steichen whenever he's been on the football field. So that's really just the big key is keeping him healthy, keeping him involved, letting him do Jonathan Taylor things, which is just running the football at a very, very high level. And, you know, just getting this thing rolling. I think that there's gonna be even more opportunities
Starting point is 00:16:54 for him this next season because, you know, when their backup has to come in, in recent years with Minshew and Flacco, it has been a pocket passer, a guy that doesn't really influence the defense too much. Now, Jones has to step in they have a quarterback that at least will make defenses second guess a little bit. So I think that'll be big for Taylor just to keep that consistency at quarterback like stylistically. And I also think the move to Matt Gonsalves at right guard could be a big boost to the running game as well. I think Gonzalves showed some really good things last season and I think that he could be even an upgrade maybe in the run game,
Starting point is 00:17:29 especially from what they were getting from like Dalton Tucker from that seven week stretch that he was in there. So Jonathan Taylor comes in at number six on my most important Colts list of this 2025 season. Now getting to number seven on the list is going to a player that needs to have a bounce back season this upcoming year and that is wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Last year Pittman Jr. took a step back and play. Now obviously the big caveat to that is he was really hurt. He was really hurt.
Starting point is 00:17:59 It was announced that he was going to go on season ending or I guess it wasn't season ending but it was like long term injury reserve in like week four or five. Adam Shepter reported that then he didn't miss any time really with that back in. I think the only game he missed was the Buffalo Bills game. So we saw 16 games out of a guy who, you know, for a good 11, 12 weeks of that,
Starting point is 00:18:17 he had a back that was bad enough to where it could have shut him down for a majority of the season. He ended up playing through it. You know, I'm not here to say if it was the right or the wrong decision. could have shut him down for a majority of the season. He ended up playing through it. You know, I'm not here to say if it was the right or the wrong decision. I don't know how much it really influenced the Colts winning games, but I do want to say that like he's capable of much more. We've seen him capable of much more, obviously with the Colts and hopefully, you know, getting that back fixed up this offseason, getting him ready for play yet again in 2025. That'll just be vital because
Starting point is 00:18:46 getting your number one wide receiver back to playing like a number one wide receiver is vital for the operations of the Colts. So you know, obviously his stats will only go as far as the quarterbacks will take him, but getting a healthy Michael Pittman Jr. back will be big when it comes to influencing wins and losses this next season. So, you know, again, we're looking at positional value here. Obviously, when it comes to influencing the wins, this next season. So, you know, again, we're looking at positional value here. Obviously, when it comes to influencing the wins, having your number one wide receiver is a vital part of everything on offense, but especially getting him healthy, like just getting him healthy and back on the field,
Starting point is 00:19:16 I think is good enough to maybe steal the Colts an extra win just because he's shown that in the past. I mean, nearly stole that Cleveland Browns game two years ago before the refs took it back away from the Colts. Not still salty about that, but I guess it's still what it is. But yeah, Michael Pittman Jr. is capable of winning some games with the Colts. He's done it in the past.
Starting point is 00:19:34 And just getting him healthy is so vital to the operations of the Colts offense. But that is the list so far, guys. We have Anthony Richardson at number one. We have Baron Hart, Ryman at number two, Leotu Latu at number three, DeForest Buckner at number four, Travarious Ward at number five, Jonathan Taylor at number six, and Michael Pittman Jr. at number seven. So coming up, we're going to close out this top 10 list of the top 10 most important Colts for success in 2025. We're going to finish it out with a couple of new faces, but typical guys that had been here for quite a bit.
Starting point is 00:20:07 Alrighty, locked on Colts every day as we are back with our top 10 most important Colts of the 2025 season when it comes to them hitting their goals and having success. I know I've changed that up quite a few times in this recording so far, so having success, which means hitting their goals. You know, that's what we'll go with here to close out the show. But number eight, I'm going with the Colts highest draft pick in this past class and that is tight end Tyler Warren and maybe this is an overcorrection because tight end was such a sore spot on the team. The last couple of seasons. I mean, we all saw what it looked like when they tried to throw the ball to Kylan Grant, and Marley Cox drew Ogletree the last few years. It just hasn't been good, which led to the Colts obviously investing that high pick in a player like Tyler Warren. But I also think just because Warren fits so much of what this Colts offense needs and what they really thrive at doing in
Starting point is 00:21:02 terms of like, you know, they asked their blockers to be very athletic in the running game. I think that's where Tyler Warren thrives is being an athlete in the run game out in space and getting on the move. So I think he's going to be such a big asset as a run blocker. I mean, I don't want to say Jack Doyle level at like a level impact in the run game, but I do think it can get there with some proper development and proper time. And then as a pass catcher, I mean, look, the Colts just haven't had a guy who can even catch the football at tight end the last couple of years. And when they did, you know, like maybe Mollie Cox had decent hands compared to the other guys in the room. It's not like he could get open. I mean, Mo is Mo is Mo is very slow. He's a run blocker. And he just isn't that kind of guy where the other guys just couldn't catch the football
Starting point is 00:21:44 when it was thrown their way. So getting a guy at tight end who is a pass catching weapon, who is an asset in the running game and helps the Colts kind of disguise what they want to do just in terms of like we can be an 11 personel a little bit more. We can not rotate tight ends and give away tells on if we're throwing or running here. I just think that's gonna be so valuable for what the Colts offense is that. Yeah, maybe I am overvaluing Tyler Warren just a little bit, but even if he's not even catching like 10 balls a game, like just the impact of having one guy out there who's capable of playing football, I think just makes this offense
Starting point is 00:22:21 better. So again, when we're talking about production at tight end or just production in general for pass catchers, it all will go as far as the quarterback will take them. But I think Tyler Warren's going to be such a big asset in both the run and the passing game that I'm comfortable putting him at number eight. And I think he's going to be a pretty darn good player for the closest upcoming season and for the near and distant future. At number nine, we're going with an all pro player that needs to bounce back. That's crazy to somehow say, but all pro linebackers, Ira Franklin did not have his best season last year.
Starting point is 00:22:52 I think even he would say that just in terms of, you know, the tackling consistency and some of the, uh, you know, the low points on his film. I think he could say that he could even be better there when it comes to those things, but it's not like he had a bad season last year. I just think he's capable of much more. And I do think the system with Luis Anarumo does fit him pretty well just in terms of, you know, being that Jermain Pratt level role and that Jermain Pratt capable player. Now, again, this is it comes with the caveat that he needs to be a better tackler this season, especially with his tackling consistency and just be, you know,
Starting point is 00:23:25 take like another step forward in his game. But last year's Ira Franklin was fantastic at forcing, turnovers, being a playmaker on a defense that just didn't have many playmakers. I mean, he led the defense in six takeaways. The next closest was Nick Cross with four, and then I don't think anyone else even hit four on this defense.
Starting point is 00:23:42 I think it was just him and Cross for the only guys above four. So in a defense that has really lacked playmakers in general since the downfall of Shaquille Leonard, Cyra Franklin's kind of taken that role and become a guy who can, you know, he had two interceptions last year, he had four forced fumbles.
Starting point is 00:23:59 He kind of just became that guy for this team. And then you throw in some high level plays to like the fourth down stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers with Justin Fields and several other big time plays. You know, yes, he can be more consistent, but I do think Zyra Franklin has proven to be one of the few playmakers on defense just didn't have many playmakers last season.
Starting point is 00:24:19 And I think again, his game can take a step forward under Luana Ramos. So Zyra Franklin all pro player, maybe not all pro caliber in typical years, but I think he's capable of putting the stat line together and putting together the strong play to be a major asset in this defense. And again, we're talking about Trevarius Ward, Forrest Buckner, Layatsu Lattu, those guys hitting high end seasons will really say how far this team can go. But also just Zaire Franklin improving on the tackling
Starting point is 00:24:47 and just doing what he was doing as a playmaker last year, that's going to impact wins and losses. I mean, again, taking the football away is extremely valuable. It's what we all loved about Shaquille Leonard. And honestly, Zaire Franklin had a very Shaquille Leonard type of season last year in terms of his ability to take the ball away.
Starting point is 00:25:01 So if he can just bring that back this next season and clean up the tackling a little bit, then I think a lot of the fan opinion of him will change, or at least, you know, get more positive yet again when it comes to Zyra Franklin. So Zyra Franklin is my number nine on most important Colts. Again, not the most loved in Colts fan base right now, but had an all pro season last year and I think he is one of the better players on the team. If we're going off of pure talent, he probably would still make my top 10 as well. To close out this list,
Starting point is 00:25:31 we're going with yet another pass catcher, which might be dangerous on my part, just because, again, these guys go as far as the quarterback play, and the quarterback play is so scary right now for the Colts, but I got Josh Downs at number 10. When it comes to Josh Downs, you know, we talked about it a lot last year, especially when you missed those first two games last year.
Starting point is 00:25:49 He's just the pace setter on the offense. You know, he's the guy where if you need a short third down conversion, you know that you can go throw it to Josh Downs and get that easy first down. I mean, we call him first downs for a reason. If you need a guy on first and 10, that can get it to a second and six or a second and three. Josh Downs, your guy, I think he can even be a pretty good red zone weapon as well because of his ability to separate in the short intermediate game.
Starting point is 00:26:14 So, yeah, Josh Downs is so vital to the Colts operation because if he's not playing, the Colts get into a lot more third and 10, third and 10 plus looks that obviously you want to avoid when you have the question marks that they have at quarterback. So they can get into third and three, third and two, third and four looks even with who they have at running back and then with the rushing threat
Starting point is 00:26:36 of Anthony Richardson at quarterback, that's a lot more manageable, obviously for any team, but especially for this team, because you open up the threat of the running game again, and you make life easy. So Josh Downs is arguably the most important player in the passing game, just from that standpoint of getting them into manageable situations.
Starting point is 00:26:53 And then you add in his ability to separate on those manageable situations, or even his ability to create after the catch. And we saw plenty of times on third and eights even, or like second and eight, second and nines, whatever they throw it short of the sticks. He's able to make one quick move, get up field and get that first down. So for me, that's that value that he brings the hidden yardage,
Starting point is 00:27:12 the ability to keep the Colts in plus situations. And then you add in just his his ability on third downs and in the red zone. I think Josh Downs is so immensely valuable to this team and it's hard to overlook him. So it is kind of crazy. I left off like the Colts like best receiver last year and I put in like three, three pass catchers and downs Warren and Pittman Jr.
Starting point is 00:27:32 But Alec Pierce is gonna be Alec Pierce. He's gonna be that vertical guy. Josh Downs keeps the offense in rhythm. Michael Pittman Jr. is their number one guy and Tyler Warren adds that run game, pass game threat that you're really looking for. So that's my list here. That's my top 10 most important colts here. You guys can argue with me in the comments or put your own list in there. But to go through it again, number one, Anthony Richardson, number two, Baron Hart Ryman, number three, Layoutu Lotu, number four, DeForest Buckner,
Starting point is 00:28:00 number five, Travarius Ward, number six, Jonathan Taylor, number seven, Michael Pittman Jr., number eight, Tyler Warren, number nine, Zaire Franklin, and number 10, Josh Downs. Guys who just missed the list, obviously, your Grover Stewart's purely off of talent, Cameron Bynum off the talent and what he could bring at free safety. I do think that would probably be my number 11. If I went past number 10, I think Cameron Bynum
Starting point is 00:28:24 is just going to be super vital to this team. Nick Cross also another one on here. Quiddy Pay and then Alec Pierce as well, who I think is a very good player. And then the offensive line, you could basically put them all in there with with Bernhardt Ryman.
Starting point is 00:28:37 But you guys let me know what you think in the comments section below. Those are my top 10 most important Colts players for success, AKA where they want to go in 2025. Thank you guys for making locked on culture first lesson today and every day. Now if your second listen, check out locked on NFL scouting, NFL draft is over, but the roster moves and news never stop.
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