A to Z Sports

Indianapolis Colts' stock updates following their first preseason game

By Destin Adams,

11 hours ago

The Indianapolis Colts had multiple players step up and have impressive outings during their loss in the preseason opener against the Denver Broncos.

I don't think it's ever wise to overreact to what we see in the preseason, but I do think tracking the stocks of players and position groups throughout can help paint an accurate picture of where things stand heading into the 2024 season.

Colts Stock Updates

Jaylon Jones 📈

Jaylon Jones has been having a rough time during the team's first few weeks of training camp. But he continues to dominate the first team snaps ahead of multiple players many expected him to be competing with. I think we saw why during the preseason opener. Jones had multiple solid moments where he displayed his coverage ability in his short time on the field with the starters. More importantly, I think we saw how large the gap between Jones and the other outside CB options currently working with the Colts' second-team defense. So unless the team chooses to sign a veteran CB, Jones' starting spot seems pretty safe at the moment.

Dallis Flowers 📉

Saying Dallis Flowers had a rough outing on Sunday would be an understatement. As I said above, many thought there'd be more of an active competition for the team's second starting outside CB job. But Flowers' struggles in camp followed him into the preseason opener. He was flagged multiple times and found himself out of position way too often, but we also need to remember that Flowers is returning from a torn Achilles. Over the past few seasons this has been one of the harder injuries to return from for most players. So I do think he deserves grace, but the team simply cant rely on him to play an important role on defense right now.

Micah Abraham 📈

Colts rookie Micah Abraham earned our first "Colts Player of the Week" honor of the year for his performance in the preseason opener. He had the play of the game with him forcing a fumble, recovering it himself, and returning it for a touchdown in the third quarter. And while that moment was super impressive to see out of a sixth-round pick, his overall comfort in coverage throughout his playing time Sunday impressed the Colts coaching staff and even veteran Kenny Moore II. A late-day three draft pick's roster spot is far from guaranteed, which makes Abraham's stellar performance Sunday so important. And if he can build off of that performance in training camp and the final two preseason games, he could certainly find himself a member of the Colts' initial 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

Blake Freeland 📉

Blake Freeland has been operating as the team's swing tackle throughout training camp. After he was thrown into the fire and started five games as a rookie filling in for injured Colts starters. He filled the same role during the preseason opener, with him being with the second-team offensive line, but his struggles throughout were concerning to see. For the most part, it looked like the majority of his lost snaps came against rushers who utilized speed, which is going to only get worse in the regular season. I wouldn't say he should be moved down the depth chart as a result of his poor performance Sunday, but I do think it should open the door to a more wide-open competition. The Colts used their third-round pick on Pittsburgh tackle Matt Goncalves, and during the preseason opener, he looked significantly more impressive than Freeland.

Colts edge room depth 📈

Last but not least, the Colts' edge room depth shined during the preseason opener. Multiple members of the edge room gave solid performances, including rookie Laiatu Latu, who lived in the backfield while on the field with the starters. Another player who stood out was veteran Tyquan Lewis, who is in line for the biggest role of his career after his impressive start to training camp, and he continued that success into the preseason. Two other standouts on the day were second-year edge rushers Titus Leo and Isaiah Land, who both had solid wins in both the passing game and the run game off the defensive line. Both are currently battling for a roster spot, and I think both made a strong case with their play on Sunday.