Indianapolis, IN
2024 Fantasy Football Draft Prep: Indianapolis Colts player outlooks, schedule, depth chart and more to know
If the Colts want to keep pace in the AFC South, they’ll need 2023 No. 1 draft pick Anthony Richardson to find a way to stay on the field. He suffered a concussion in Week 2, then sustained a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder in Week 5. He’s expected to be a full participant in the offseason program, and being that Richardson missed the bulk of last year, he’ll need reps so he can develop chemistry with his wide receiver corps.
Below the CBS Sports Fantasy staff will take a look into the Colts’ entire team outlook including changes to the top of the depth chart that matter for Fantasy, a burning question for Fantasy Football managers that needs to be answered, a review of their draft class, strength of schedule, and individual player outlooks for all of the notable Colts players who may end up on your Fantasy rosters.
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Colts 2024 lineup changes
Burning question: Will the coaching staff help Anthony Richardson to better protect himself?
Following the Colts’ 31-21 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, Trevor Lawrence told Richardson that he needs to “protect himself.” Just four weeks later, Richardson was sidelined for the remainder of his rookie season. At 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, Richardson is ultra-athletic. He’s run as fast as 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, and he has an absolute rocket for a right arm. Head coach Shane Steichen initially leaned on Richardson’s athleticism, but to ensure a full season, Steichen must limit designed quarterback runs. Richardson, too, must avoid leaving the pocket unnecessarily. Equipped with wide receivers who are capable of consistently winning against man coverage and running back Jonathan Taylor who is a viable checkdown option, Richardson should take considerably less punishment in 2024.
Colts 2024 schedule
WK | DATE | OPP | TIME | TV | VENUE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sep 8, 2024 | vsHouston | 1:00 pm | CBS | Lucas Oil Stadium |
2 | Sep 15, 2024 | @Green Bay | 1:00 pm | FOX | Lambeau Field |
3 | Sep 22, 2024 | vsChicago | 1:00 pm | CBS | Lucas Oil Stadium |
4 | Sep 29, 2024 | vsPittsburgh | 1:00 pm | CBS | Lucas Oil Stadium |
5 | Oct 6, 2024 | @Jacksonville | 1:00 pm | CBS | EverBank Stadium |
6 | Oct 13, 2024 | @Tennessee | 1:00 pm | CBS | Nissan Stadium |
7 | Oct 20, 2024 | vsMiami | 1:00 pm | FOX | Lucas Oil Stadium |
8 | Oct 27, 2024 | @Houston | 1:00 pm | CBS | NRG Stadium |
9 | Nov 3, 2024 | @Minnesota | 1:00 pm | CBS | U.S. Bank Stadium |
10 | Nov 10, 2024 | vsBuffalo | 1:00 pm | CBS | Lucas Oil Stadium |
11 | Nov 17, 2024 | @N.Y. Jets | 8:20 pm | NBC | MetLife Stadium |
12 | Nov 24, 2024 | vsDetroit | 1:00 pm | FOX | Lucas Oil Stadium |
13 | Dec 1, 2024 | @New England | 1:00 pm | CBS | Gillette Stadium |
14 | — | BYE | — | — | — |
15 | Dec 15, 2024 | @Denver | 4:25 pm | CBS | Empower Field at Mile High |
16 | Dec 22, 2024 | vsTennessee | 1:00 pm | CBS | Lucas Oil Stadium |
17 | Dec 29, 2024 | @N.Y. Giants | TBA | — | MetLife Stadium |
18 | Jan 5, 2025 | vsJacksonville | TBA | — | Lucas Oil Stadium |
Colts 2024 player outlooks
By Dan Schneier and CBS Fantasy staff
QB Anthony Richardson
Richardson’s combination of arm strength, arm talent, and rushing upside earned him a top-10 ranking across the board from our experts heading into his first NFL season. Richardson was a Fantasy superstar immediately, averaging 25.9 points per game in his two full starts. This would put him on pace to be the QB1 overall over a full season. Of course, Richardson didn’t play a full season and instead suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5. In 2024, Richardson will once again be one of the highest-upside QBs in Fantasy Football, but he will carry a boom-or-bust profile due to his injury profile. The Colts added Adonai Mitchell at WR in the draft and Richardson will get the benefit of playing with Jonathan Taylor in 2024. If he stays healthy, Richardson will be a league-winning player who you can grab in the sixth round of your one-QB leagues.
QB Joe Flacco
Flacco signed with Indianapolis this offseason, and he will be the No. 2 quarterback for the Colts behind Anthony Richardson. Flacco is only worth drafting with a late-round pick in deep Superflex and two-quarterback leagues as insurance for Richardson, but Flacco shouldn’t play much if Richardson is healthy all season. That said, Richardson couldn’t finish his rookie campaign with a shoulder injury, and he also missed time with a concussion in 2023. Last year, Flacco was a hero for the Browns and Fantasy managers when he came off his couch to replace Deshaun Watson (shoulder) in Week 13, and Flacco scored at least 20.2 Fantasy points in five games in a row while leading Cleveland to the playoffs, including four outings with at least 309 passing yards. If Flacco, 39, does play this season then add him off the waiver wire, but it will likely take an injury for Flacco to be Fantasy relevant this year.
RB Jonathan Taylor
Taylor had a murky 2023 season due to injuries and a contract dispute, but he found his stride from Week 7 on when he earned the featured role in the Colts offense. Over that final stretch, Taylor averaged just fewer than 100 total yards per game (99.4) despite missing a three-game stretch from Weeks 13-15. With Anthony Richardson back at QB, Taylor should see more open run lanes with defenses accounting for the QB’s rushing ability. He should also see more red zone opportunities. Taylor is a locked-in RB1 and will be selected in the back half of Round 1 in most Fantasy leagues.
RB Trey Sermon
Sermon has been running as the Colts RB2 early in 2024 OTAs after a strong showing during his limited opportunities in 2023. Given Taylor’s injury history, Sermon will make for an excellent handcuff option should he maintain the RB2 role through training camp and the preseason. Sermon is worth allocating a pick in the final rounds of your drafts.
WR Michael Pittman
Pittman became the go-to target for Gardner Minshew in 2023. He earned 156 targets and turned them into 109 receptions and 1,110 receiving yards. His 30% target share ranked him among the league leaders. In 2024, his outlook changes with the Colts moving on from Minshew and Anthony Richardson returning to the lineup as the starter. There is more variance in Pittman’s profile after the team added Adonai Mitchell at WR in the draft and because it’s unknown how Richardson will distribute the football. Pittman is a third-round pick in Fantasy drafts but he has a lower floor than most WRs coming off the board in this range.
WR Josh Downs
Downs displayed an immediate rapport with Anthony Richardson in 2023, but Richardson’s time as the starter was short-lived. Downs still managed to create separation and rack up 68 receptions and 771 receiving yards with Gardner Minshew. Downs only cashed in on two touchdowns all season long and is a better fit in full-point PPR leagues. In all PPR formats, Downs is worth selecting as early as the 12th round. In standard scoring, he should come off the board a round or two later.
WR Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell enters the NFL with a lacking production profile, but he draws the praise of those who studied his game film due to his freakish combination of size, speed, and footwork. He will have the opportunity to immediately win one-on-one matchups in the red zone and should have blow-up weeks where he scores one or multiple touchdowns. Mitchell is a high-upside swing in Rounds 11-13 of your drafts due to his athletic profile and the upside of how that fits with Anthony Richardson and his plus arm strength and arm talent.
K Matt Gay
Gay finished with the fifth-most Fantasy points overall in 2023 and the fifth-most field goals made. With Anthony Richardson returning to the lineup, it could mean fewer field goal opportunities but more scoring opportunities for Gay in 2024. He is a fine target as your starting kicker and should remain in the K1 mix in 2024.
Colts DST
The Colts DST scored the 11th-most Fantasy points per game in large part due to their five combined defensive and special teams touchdowns. The defensive scheme puts the players in a position to create turnovers but there will be regression coming on the touchdown front. With the majority of the team’s offseason investments spent to improve the offense around Anthony Richardson, you might want to pass on the Colts and opt for a higher-upside DST in that fringe DST1/2 range at the end of drafts.
Indianapolis, IN
Food Truck Friday: Dolce Vita Café
Dolce Vita Café in Indianapolis is the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy European-inspired desserts in a modern, welcoming setting.
Founded by Nesrine Nahri and Costa Albany, Dolce Vita combines the rich flavors of artisanal crepes and gelato with a fresh twist, making it a must-visit for dessert lovers.
Whether you’re stopping in for a sweet treat or looking to relax in a cozy environment, this café offers something special for everyone.
At Dolce Vita, every dessert is a masterpiece. The café’s menu showcases a variety of crepes filled with delicious ingredients and gelato made with care, offering a taste of indulgence with every bite.
Dolce Vita stands out as a favorite spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy a little sweetness in their day.
Indianapolis, IN
Police Interceptor from 'Blues Brothers 2000' to be auctioned in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The police car that Dan Akroyd drove in “Blues Brothers 2000” will be auctioned in October in Indianapolis.
The Ford Police Interceptor in the 1998 sequel to the original “Blues Brothers” comedy, released in 1980, will be sold Oct. 5 during Mecum Auctions’ Indy Fall Special 2024 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Akroyd’s character Elwood Blues drove the car in one scene that led to a crash with what Guinness World Records calls the largest car pileup on film: 50 cars. In the scene, Elwood Blues drives from the crash, turns to the band members and tells them, “Don’t look back.”
Akroyd formerly owned the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor that carries a 351 CI V-8 engine — with $15,000 worth of modifications — and a blue interior. The car will be sold with documentation connecting it to the movie.
Mecum says Akroyd sold the car to the Slippery Noodle Inn in downtown Indianapolis.
Photos show the car for sale has an autograph and inscription from the actor on the dashboard.
The Indy Fall Special will be Mecum’s second autumn auction in Indianapolis. The auction will include 1,000 classic and collector vehicles.
Tickets to the show will be $30 for a single-day ticket, and $75 for the three-day event from Oct. 3-5. Children 12 and younger get in free.
Indianapolis, IN
Metta World Peace talks about mental health at Indianapolis high school
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Former NBA player Metta World Peace and other panelists on Thursday participated in the Circle City Classic’s mental health panel discussion.
The nonprofit Indiana Black Expo‘s Circle City Classic, in its 40th year, will conclude Saturday with a parade and football game.
The former Indiana Pacers player once known as Ron Artest shared his personal mental health journey and the importance of removing the stigma around seeking help. “It’s been going on before us, during our time here, and after us so it’s the opportunity to give tools, some encouragement and some support.”
Thursday’s event was billed as the first time World Peace has spoken about mental health in Indiana. He says he was particularly happy to talk to youths at Warren Central High School as they navigate changes in their lives. “It’s good to be back here, especially in Indiana, to talk about the stigmas with mental health, especially when you’re trying to become a professional, exit high school or college. What’s next?”
Cara Holdsclaw, the chief operating officer of Indiana Black Expo (IBE), says, after receiving good feedback regarding talking about mental health during IBE’s Summer Celebration in June, organizers of the Circle City Classic thought continuing the discussion was important. “We want to make sure that people know it’s OK to ask for help if they know something might not be right, and to be able to seek the help that you may need, or be able to see that somebody else in your family or friends need help as well,” Holdsclaw said.
As Masimba Taylor, the principal of Warren Central High School, sees it, the mental health discussion with students was very needed. “They always bring up mental health, and so the fact that the young people are talking about it, the fact that they’re asking for more information, and asking for help, so if we can provide even just a small bit or the opportunity to hear from professionals, then it’s everything.”
Student and football player Madden Beriault says listening to a former professional athlete tell his story and give advice is a great way for him to better his own mental health as he navigates school and sports. “Being a student-athlete is a lot of different things on your plate and a lot of different stresses from a lot of different angles, so hopefully learn how to cope with different types of stress.”
While some people may not have the resources to get the mental health support they need, World Peace — also known as Metta Sandiford-Artest — says it’s important to continue to believe in yourself even when the journey gets rough. “Practice breathing. Practice meditation. Make sure you stay spiritual and remember your core values and keep your families first. But, I also believe in collaborating with others across the board. Sometimes it’s hard to go through things on your own.”
Mental health resources
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