The Indianapolis Colts are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won 10 games and made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs, where they ultimately fell to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But going in 2019, the Colts are a trendy Super Bowl pick in the AFC, and with Andrew Luck under center and an improving defense, you can certainly see why.
Still, in order for Indianapolis to beat teams like the New England Patriots and the Chiefs, certain players are going to have to elevate their games in order to help the Colts reach that next level.
Here are three players who need to take the next step for Indy this coming season.
3. Malik Hooker
Malik Hooker has the potential to be one of the top safeties in the NFL, and this past season, he demonstrated that ability, finishing with 44 tackles, a couple of interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
Now, Hooker is entering his third season, which means he could be ready to reach another tier.
We do have to keep in mind that Hooker suffered a devastating injury during his rookie campaign, as he tore his ACL and MCL after just seven games, so re-injury is always going to be a concern for the 23-year-old.
However, as long as the former first-round pick can stay healthy, he is going to have a bright future ahead of him, and that future could very well start this year.
2. Marlon Mack
Marlon Mack flew under the radar this past season, rushing for 908 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry in just 12 games. He then began to garner some attention in the playoffs after gashing the Houston Texans for 148 yards and a score in the Wild Card Round.
But while Mack is obviously a good running back, he has a major hole in his game that needs repairing, and it's his effective as a receiver out of the backfield.
No one is saying he needs to be Saquon Barkley, but it would be nice if he could catch more than 17 passes like he did this past year. If he is able to add that dimension to his game, he will become an even more lethal player and will help take the Colts' offense to the next level.
And if he doesn't improve as a pass-catcher? Well, then Mack shoot for playing a full 16-game season and racking up over 1,000 yards on the ground.
The Colts' biggest offseason move on the offensive side of the ball was picking up Devin Funchess, a 6-foot-4, 236-pound behemoth of a wide receiver who should provide Luck with a big target in the red zone.
Funchess, who spent the first four years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, has not really established himself as a top receiver, as he caught just 44 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns in 2018, but he is two years removed from hauling in 63 receptions for 840 yards and eight scores, and now, he is playing with a better quarterback in a better offense.
We know that T.Y. Hilton is the Colts' No. 1 receiver, but they were sorely missing a No. 2 this past season. If Funchess can step in and adequately fill that role, it would provide an already good Indianapolis offense with a major boost.
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