Colts rookie class highlights three winners from minicamp
The Indianapolis Colts closed the chapter on the latest stage of the offseason this week: minicamp. It was yet another opportunity for Shane Steichen and his first-year staff to work with the players. As with any minicamp, there were some winners and losers from the week. Some players took full advantage of the moment and […]
The Indianapolis Colts closed the chapter on the latest stage of the offseason this week: minicamp. It was yet another opportunity for Shane Steichen and his first-year staff to work with the players.
As with any minicamp, there were some winners and losers from the week. Some players took full advantage of the moment and raised their stocks as a result. Others struggled and will be counting down the days until training camp.
With eyes turned to the next step of the NFL offseason, we highlight three different winners from the week. That includes specific players as well as overall themes as the Colts inch closer to the 2023 NFL season.
Winner 1: The young defensive backs
The young defensive backs on the Indianapolis Colts can be considered winners from minicamp – and the offseason as a whole so far. Indianapolis was hit with the Isaiah Rogers news earlier in the month, but that situation has opened the door for others.
Rookie Darius Rush has been turning heads since his first day with the team. But he's far from the only one making an impression. Seventh-rounder and former five-star recruit Jaylon Jones had himself a day during the final day of minicamp.
It appears that the opportunity is on the table for the rookie defensive back class to make their presence felt quickly for Indianapolis. Especially when second-rounder Julius Brents, who is out due to injury, returns to the field.
Winner 2: Roster competition
Minicamp was yet another stage that highlighted the biggest storyline on the Indianapolis Colts this offseason: the quarterback battle. Rookie Anthony Richardson and veteran Gardner Minshew are battling it out in practices.
The expectation is that Richardson will be the starter sooner than later. Whether that is week one or not remains to be seen. In the meantime, Minshew is doing his best to make it a real battle for the first-year signal caller out of Florida."
"But just the intensity, the energy – I want these guys to play with passion and have a lot of energy," Steichen said this week. "That’s going to show up when these pads come on and kind of see who the dogs are when it comes out.”
Winner 3: Zavier Scott
Jonathan Taylor showed up to minicamp, but the All-Pro running back did not participate in practices. Nothing out of the ordinary, but that allowed other running backs on the roster to show what they can do.
And undrafted rookie Zavier Scott stepped up to the plate. Scott, who can play in the backfield or catch passes out wide, is a versatile chess piece that can be a weapon for Steichen if he makes the roster.
His stock is on the rise as the Colts break for the summer. The key will be carrying the momentum that he has built so far this offseason over to training camp and the preseason.
Featured image via Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
