The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2022 NFL season looking to finish what they started. The Colts looked like a lock to make the playoffs, just needing to beat the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch a berth. They then lost in shocking fashion to just barely miss out on the postseason.
Indianapolis has given its roster a few tweaks in the offseason. The Colts brought in a new quarterback in Matt Ryan as well as pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. With stars such as Jonathan Taylor, Quentin Nelson and Darius Leonard still on board, the Colts appear poised to make up for last season's disappointment.
However, Indianapolis needs more than its stars if it wants to go back to the playoffs. The Colts also need some unsung heroes to emerge to get where they want to go. Let's look at some hidden gems on their roster that could be highly impactful this season.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Colts Hidden Gems On 2022 Roster
Ty'Son Williams
The Colts have no shortage of running back talent on their roster. Beyond Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines has been a consistent part of the offense for years and Phillip Lindsay has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. Then there's Williams, who can add a new dimension to the rushing game on his own.
The Baltimore Ravens signed Williams as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and he made his on-field debut last season. He showed promise when he saw the field, carrying the ball 35 times for 185 yards and one touchdown. He also caught nine passes for 84 yards, showing he can be a threat out of the backfield as well.
However, his playing time dwindled as the season went along, and the Ravens decided not to bring him back. The Colts saw something in Williams and signed him in March.
With the wealth of running backs on Indianapolis' roster, Williams' may not see the field too often this season. However, he should make every snap count. The league's second-best rushing attack may be even more deadly in 2022 thanks to one of Indianapolis' hidden gems.
Julian Blackmon
Blackmon made an immediate impact on the Colts' defense after they selected him in the third round of the 2020 draft. The former Utah safety notched 42 total tackles and two interceptions in his rookie season. He then showed strides in 2021, recording 34 total tackles in just six games.
Unfortunately, Blackmon's 2021 season came to an abrupt end when he tore his Achilles tendon during an October practice. His absence left a noticeable void in the Colts' secondary.
“He's a constant, constant guy that wants to constantly learn to get better,” then-defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus said in October. “You can see that in his maturation in terms of that. He's another guy that's very smart. He's got great vision of the long range of the field. He can cover a lot of space. He can cover a lot of space and the thing that we're so impressed with him this year, is his physicality.”
While the injury provides a setback, Blackmon should continue to develop next season as he recovers. His presence once again should make a defense that forced the most turnovers in the league even scarier in 2022.
Follow Us
Subscribe