2015 Team Preview: Indianapolis Colts

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Updated on June 28, 2015 3:31PM EST

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

The Colts have won 11 games and advanced a round further in the playoffs in each of the first three seasons of the Andrew Luck era, last year losing to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Indianapolis would thus appear capable of making a run for the Super Bowl, but a measure of questionable offseason moves/non-moves leave some wondering if the team is up to the task.
The 2014 Colts won the AFC South for a second consecutive season led by an offense that scored the sixth most points in the NFL. Quarterback Andrew Luck led the league with 40 touchdown passes and set a career-high with 4,761 passing yards. However, Luck achieved those career marks with an aging Reggie Wayne, a lackluster ground game (22th in YPC) and an offensive line that was 26th in pass blocking, per Pro Football Focus. Trent Richardson's struggles led to an anemic rushing attack that led to his release, while Ahmad Bradshaw suffered a season-ending injury for a second consecutive season. Luckily, Dan "Boom" Herron took over the starting job late in the season and was productive en route to turning in a 4.5 YPC. Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton recorded 1,345 receiving yards, while tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen each notched eight touchdowns.

To boost the team's 2015 attack, the Colts signed Andre Johnson to replace Wayne, who wasn't re-signed, and added Frank Gore to shore up the running game. However, GM Ryan Grigson surprisingly

STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

To boost the team's 2015 attack, the Colts signed Andre Johnson to replace Wayne, who wasn't re-signed, and added Frank Gore to shore up the running game. However, GM Ryan Grigson surprisingly didn't make a major move to improve the offensive line. Luck has been the league leader in quarterback hits/plus sacks in each of the last three seasons, according to Football Outsiders, but Indianapolis took a wide receiver with its first-round draft pick (Phillip Dorsett) and failed to sign a major free agent to bolster the line. Grigson also failed to adequately address offseason needs at safety and linebacker.

With that in mind, the defense could use some help, as it ranked just 19th in points allowed in 2014 and was susceptible to the run, while ranking 23rd in YPC. Losing Robert Mathis for the season to a PED suspension and Achilles' heel injury didn't help. Fortunately, fifth-rounder Jonathan Newsome's team-leading 6.5 sacks coupled with journeyman free agent Mike Adams' Pro Bowl performance at age 33 helped plug some holes. With Mathis uncertain to return to form this season, the Colts will once again need some unheralded acquisitions to pan out.

If the last three years are any indication, Luck's continued improvement can overcome several weaknesses on the roster. Playing in the weakest division in football doesn't hurt either, so the Colts should be primed for a playoff run again as a result.

OFFSEASON MOVES

Key Acquisitions

Frank Gore – RB, 49ers
The Colts hope he'll bolster their backfield after the failed Trent Richardson experiment.

Andre Johnson – WR, Texans
He'll replace Reggie Wayne in the slot and as the primary possession receiver.

Trent Cole – LB, Eagles
Could add the sort of needed pass rush that recent acquisitions failed to deliver.

Dwight Lowery – S, Falcons
A candidate to stabilize the team's free safety slot.

Nate Irving – LB, Broncos
Bouncing back from a torn ACL, but once he's up to speed he'll bolster the team's inside linebacker situation.

Phillip Dorsett – WR, Miami (ROUND 1, 29th Overall)
Has outstanding speed, but will work behind a deep WR corps.

Key Losses

Reggie Wayne – WR, FA
Productive for years but was phased out of the offense late in the season.

Trent Richardson – RB, Raiders
The Colts traded a first-round pick for him, but his woeful production led to his release.

TEAM NOTES

WHO GETS THE TARGETS IN A DEEP PASS-CATCHING CORPS?
Although T.Y. Hilton continues to head the Colts' wideout corps, franchise stalwart Reggie Wayne wasn't retained. To replace him, the team added former Houston Texan star Andre Johnson. While his production was down in 2014, the dip was largely quarterback-related. With Andrew Luck now throwing to him, heavy targets and a bounce back appear in order. The team also returns Donte Moncrief, who had a promising rookie season while catching 65 percent of his targets and averaging 9.1 yards per target. The Colts surprisingly elected to take Phillip Dorsett in the first round of the 2015 draft, and though he has the speed to make an impact, it's not clear how much he'll get on the field initially. Rounding out Luck's key pass-catching weapons are tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. While both emerged as red zone weapons in 2014, Fleener is seen as more of a field stretcher, while Allen is more frequently used as a blocker.

CAN Frank Gore STABILIZE THE RUNNING BACK POSITION?
The Colts traded a first-round draft pick for Trent Richardson, but the move turned out to be a bust as the former No. 3 overall pick averaged a meager 3.1 YPC with Indy. While Ahmad Bradshaw was a revelation when he took over as the starter the past two years, each stint ended quickly due to a season-ending injury. To stabilize the position, the team signed the sturdy Frank Gore, who hasn't missed a game in four seasons. The 32-year-old could also help the passing game, as he graded as one of the league's top running backs in pass protection last season. Still, only three running backs his age or older since 1990 have ever had a 1,000-yard rushing season. His top backup will be Dan Herron, who has good vision and the burst to make an impact in spots, with Vick Ballard, Josh Robinson and Zurlon Tipton also on hand.

WILL RUN DEFENSE CONINUE TO BE AN ACHILLES' HEEL?
The best gameplan to beat the Colts last season rested in pounding the ball on the ground, with the team surrendering an average of 113.4 yards per game on that front, along with 14 rushing TDs. Despite the team's modest success at halting the run, the Colts didn't utilize many resources to address the issue in the offseason. Kendall Langford was signed at defensive end, and Trent Cole was signed as a linebacker, but both are more known for their pass-rushing skills. Dwight Lowery graded well against the run last year, so at least there's safety help. Still, the Colts may be prone to giving up big games against the run once again this season, with a best-defense is the best-offense approach likely on tap.

Value Meter

Rising:Andrew Luck, whose efficiency and raw stat totals have improved each of his three seasons, may reach new heights with the Colts acquiring more assets in the passing game.

Declining:Frank Gore has the starting job but he's 32 years old and moving from a run-focused attack to a pass-happy offense.

Sleeper:Donte Moncrief's per target stats were impressive as a rookie, and he could have a large role if an aging Andre Johnson fades or if the passing attack can feed three receivers.

Supersleeper:Phillip Dorsett doesn't appear to be set for a sizable role, but the first-round pick is perhaps an injured player away from being featured in the league's best passing attack.

IDP WATCH

Robert Mathis – LB
Set a career high with 19.5 sacks in 2013, but missed all last season with PED suspension and Achilles' heel injury. Can he return at age 34?

D'Qwell Jackson – LB
Led the team with 138 tackles and is a focal point against the run.

Vontae Davis – CB
Just four interceptions, but continues to grade as one of the NFL's best defenders in coverage.