In a complete reverse of the 2024 season, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves tied for the best record in the league at 8-2. The team will likely be in the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season and could achieve the first seed in the conference for the first time in 16 years.
The Colts’ offense this season has been one of, if not the best, in the league. Signing Daniel Jones to be behind center was the right choice for the offense at a cheap deal of $14 million. Jonathan Taylor is having a historic season, putting his name in the Offensive Player of the Year and MVP award conversation. First round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tyler Warren, is a candidate to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Wide receivers Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman both have over 500 yards on the season.
Indy’s offense is averaging 32.1 points per game this season, the highest in the league. On the other side of the field, things look different.
While the D is holding up on its own, some holes still need to be filled, especially on the front 4, with an NFL analyst believing a rookie from the 2025 draft class can do just that.
Rookie Predicted To Step Up
GettyIndianapolis Colts EDGE rusher JT Tuimoloau
Indy has the sixth-most sacks in the league with 26, without a clear-cut threat on the defensive front. Second-year player Laiatu Latu has the most sacks on the team with five.
Indianapolis focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason. The front office signed safety Camryn Bynum to a $60 million deal and cornerback Charvarius Ward to a $54 million contract to help a questionable secondary entering the 2025 season.
In the draft, the Colts used their second-round pick on Ohio State EDGE rusher JT Tuimoloau to help boost production from on the D-line, but he has not received an opportunity.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox believes Tuimoloau will break out in the latter half of the season and be the passing threat the Colts need.
“The Indianapolis Colts have had instant results from rookie first-round pick Tyler Warren. Now, it’s time for second-round pick JT Tuimoloau to step into the limelight,” Knox wrote. “In his four games since being a healthy Week 6 scratch, the former Ohio State edge-rusher has recorded four quarterback hits. He is still searching for his first NFL sack, but with Sauce Gardner now patrolling the secondary in Indy, he won’t be waiting long.”
JT Tuimoloau Lack Of Production
GettyJT Tuimoloau DE Ohio State
In his senior year with the Buckeyes, JT Tuimoloau recorded 12.5 sacks, his best collegiate season to date. But that hasn’t translated much to the professionals, as he has only five tackles and no sacks through 7 games for Indy.
The Colts D also has a pretty nice EDGE room, forcing the rookie to be at the bottom of the depth chart (defensive ends have half of the team’s total sacks).
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has mentioned that the team sometimes runs defensive tackle-heavy schemes and some weeks on the edge, which can explain the lack of opportunity for JT.
Two DEs have been hurt in the past couple of weeks and can allow Tuimoloau to receive an opportunity to shine.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Colts’ Rookie Named Player Who Will Break Out Rest Of Season appeared first on Heavy Sports.