The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to construct the muse of the offense round quarterback Anthony Richardson. After choosing him at No. 4 total within the 2023 NFL draft, the way forward for the franchise is within the palms of the previous Florida Gator.
However a number of rounds later, the Colts gave Richardson a brand new weapon with the choice of North Carolina huge receiver Josh Downs.
The receiver slid somewhat bit within the draft, falling to No. 79 total within the third spherical. Nevertheless, one analyst believes the choice of Downs was one of the best decide the Colts made within the draft.
Right here is why CBS Sports activities’ Chris Trapasso loves the Downs’ decide:
Finest pure beneath, possession slot WR within the class. Tremendous-nimble. Flashes superior ball-tracking expertise in tight quarterbacks. Regardless of his route-running chops and sudden ft, he’s not a YAC weapon. Will likely be Anthony Richardson’s greatest good friend early. (Chris Trapasso)
Downs had a improbable three-year profession at North Carolina, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He got here six receptions away from back-to-back 100-reception seasons and was the go-to man for each Sam Howell and Drake Maye.
Now, the Colts hope he’s the go-to man for Richardson for years to come back.
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The Indianapolis Colts tight end room had the 9th most receiving yards in the NFL last season. Their top three tight ends were Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, and Mo Alie-Cox. Granson had 30 receptions for 368 yards (1 TD), Mallory had 18 receptions for 207 yards, and Alie-Cox had 13 receptions for 161 yards (3 TDS).
The Colts chose not to sign or draft a TE this offseason. One reason for this decision could be their confidence in their former 3rd-round pick, who missed all of 2023.
The Indianapolis Colts’ former 3rd-round pick fully recovered from an injury that caused him to miss all of 2023
After having a solid rookie season, Jelani Woods suffered a hamstring injury during voluntary workouts that caused him to miss most of training camp and the entire 2023 season. Woods fully recovered from the injury and is feeling better.
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“I feel better (than in 2022), really, because I’m starting to know my body really well and creating a routine daily to just keep building myself,” Woods said. “I feel like I’m in a good start now so I’m just trying to keep it going and take it one day at a time really, for the most part.”
Now that Woods is fully healthy, he will compete for the TE1 spot. He is confident in his skill set and understands he is in a pivotal competition.
“I know what I can do, I know how (much) I can help the offense,” Woods said. “I know I can be a pivotal point in the offense and I’m just trying to show that and earn the respect back, earn my spot back. Just pretty much trying to do whatever I can to show them Jelani, he’s here.”
He will compete against three players for the starting TE job.
Player #1
The first player competing is Kylen Granson. Granson, a 4th-round pick from 2021, enters his fourth year in the league. He finished first in receptions, targets, yards, and snaps among TEs on the team in 2023.
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He will be an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Player #2
The second player competing is Mo Alie-Cox. Alie-Cox, who primarily plays as a run blocker, enters his eighth year in the league. He finished third in receptions, targets, and yards, second in snaps, and first in receiving touchdowns among TEs on the team.
He will also be an unrestricted free agent after the season’s end, but many view him as a player who could get cut during roster cuts.
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Player #3
The third player competing is Will Mallory. Mallory, a fifth-round pick from 2023, enters his second year in the league. He finished second in receptions, targets, and yards and fourth in snaps among TEs on the team.
Who wins the starting TE job?
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is sharing the story of one Indiana boy’s bravery in the face of the AIDS epidemic, and how it impacted his small Indiana community and beyond.
Ryan White was born in Kokomo in December 1971, and when he was 13, Ryan was diagnosed with AIDS after a blood transfusion.
After his diagnosis, he faced much AIDS-related discrimination from his community, but used his voice to fight against fear and misinformation surrounding HIV/AIDS. Most famously, he became an inspiration for his fight to continue going to school.
AJ Morrison with the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis told News 8 that Ryan’s story is particularly unique because of its local connection.
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“They were in Kokomo and then moved to Cicero. He went to Hamilton Heights High School, where he was welcomed by the students there,” he said.
The museum’s exhibit shows part of Ryan’s bedroom on display. The more than 500 artifacts from Ryan’s life help tell the story of his struggle with AIDS, his fight to attend school, and the great accomplishments he achieved before his death in April 1990.
“It just helps kids realize that anybody can really make a difference, and in Ryan’s case, standing up and speaking out against bullying and HIV/Aids,” Morrison said.
Along with the exhibit, Ryan’s mother and sister, Jeanne White Ginder and Andrea White, hosted a series of talks at the museum.
Sunday’s conversation runs from noon to 2 p.m., and will be structured like an informal conversation in Ryan’s bedroom. Listeners will be able to hear firsthand stories of how Ryan’s bravery impacted their family and several Indiana communities.
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A formal presentation will take place after from 2 – 2:45 p.m. Museum leaders add that topics discussed in the conversations about Ryan may be difficult for young children.
The exhibit and Ryan’s room will be showcased inside The Power of Children: Making a Difference on level 3 of the museum.
For more information on these talks and White’s story, visit the museum’s website.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Our quiet weekend continues here in Indiana with a sunny Sunday. However, on the horizon we are watching Tropical Storm Beryl closely for the rain it will bring to Indiana midweek.
TODAY: Another fantastic day to close out the weekend. Mostly sunny skies with high temperatures in the mid to upper 80s.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear skies. Low temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.
TOMORROW: Plenty of sunshine to start off. Clouds gradually increase throughout the day. High temperatures near 90 degrees.
8-DAY FORECAST: Tropical Storm Beryl will likely strengthen into a hurricane before making landfall in Texas Monday morning. Soaking rain is looking possible from the remnants of Beryl for late Tuesday into Wednesday here in Indiana. Just northwest of the system track will likely see the heaviest rain in a potential swath of 2-4″.
Depending on how fast the remnants of the storm are moving, Indiana could still see some small rain chances into Thursday. Friday into next weekend is looking dry and nice.