Multiple players fighting for roster spots on the Colts earned high grades in the team's preseason win over the Cardinals

The Indianapolis Colts won their first preseason game of 2024 by a score of 21 to 13 over the Arizona Cardinals. The team elected to sit the majority of its starters, which allowed multiple players fighting for roster spots to control the spotlight. A few took advantage of the opportunity and earned high grades for their performances from […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (7) carries the ball Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, during a preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Cardinals, 21-13.
Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Indianapolis Colts won their first preseason game of 2024 by a score of 21 to 13 over the Arizona Cardinals. 

The team elected to sit the majority of its starters, which allowed multiple players fighting for roster spots to control the spotlight. A few took advantage of the opportunity and earned high grades for their performances from Pro Football Focus

https://www.twitter.com/colts/status/1825008916889055310

Colts PFF Grades: Preseason Week 2


Colts' top 5 offensive grades

1. Laquon Treadwell, WR: 82.2
Treadwell is one of the newest Colts and has performed strongly in both of the team's preseason games. This week, he led the Colts in receiving seven receptions for 72 yards. Once both teams switched to their third teams, Treadwell was getting anything he wanted against Arizona's secondary. 

2. Derek Slywka, WR: 69.7

3. Sam Ehlinger, QB: 69.3

4. Eric Tomlinson, TE: 68.9

5. Jake Witt, OT: 66.7
Witt got plenty of runs throughout the game and ended the day as the team's highest-graded offensive lineman. He also earned the second-highest pass-blocking grade (76.4) on the team, only trailing Dalton Tucker (79.3). 


Colts' Top 5 defensive grades

Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Owen Pappoe (44) and Indianapolis Colts defensive back Jaylin Simpson (30) pose for a photo Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, after a preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts defeated the Cardinals, 21-13.
Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. Jaylin Simpson, CB: 76.6
Simpson didn't suit up for many snaps on the day, with him only logging nine. But he made the most of his time with him, earning the highest grade of any Colts defender. A big reason for this was that he earned the team's highest coverage grade (76.7) this week. 

2. Derek Rivers, Edge: 74.0 

3. Nick Cross, S: 71.5
It was another strong outing for Colts' safety, Nick Cross. He was one of only a few presumed staters who played in this game, and it ended up being one of his strongest showings as a Colts player. The Colts haven't announced it yet, but as things stand, Cross seems to have run away with the team's other starting safety job opposite of Julian Blackmon. 

4. Austin Ajiake, LB: 70.2

5. Eric Johnson, DT: 69.2