5 Colts With Most To Prove In 2025 Season - Page 3
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INDIANAPOLIS – It wouldn’t be an NFL season without guys having to prove themselves.
Identifying individual pressure needs to start with Chris Ballard, with Shane Steichen behind his GM.
But we will focus this piece on the players with the “most to prove” as the Colts strive to end so many droughts.
Who are the Colts with the most to prove this 2025 season?
1. Anthony Richardson
This is obvious, and it’s on several levels. Richardson needs to prove his availability, his growth as a more accurate thrower, and his maturation off the field. That’s a lot to ask for from the 23-year-old. First, Richardson just needs to get back to throwing again, and ramping up to the point where he can potentially challenge Daniel Jones in a serious manner during training camp. Waiting at the end of this 2025 season comes the Colts first need for a financial decision on the 4th overall pick from 2023. By May 2026, the Colts will have a decision to make on the 5th year team option for Richardson (for the 2027 season). That’s the first notable rise in his contract, which currently runs through 2026.
2. Charvarius Ward
You get various levels of “proving it” when it comes to the NFL world. Ward just earned one of the biggest pay days the Colts have ever handed a free agent, so this level of proof is backing up that contract by playing like a true No. 1 cornerback. The “prove it” here is Ward showing that he can get back to his top-flight cornerback ability, and confirm the $18 million contract the Colts gave him this offseason. Do the Colts finally have a true, No. 1 outside corner?
3. Laiatu Latu
Pass rushers taken in Round 1, heading into a second season, usually fall on this list. And Latu deserves a spot because the thought was he would be more of a ready-made rusher at the NFL level, compared to being more of a project. Latu had 4.0 sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 5 tackles for loss in his rookie season, but clearly hit a wall to end his first year. Latu didn’t have a sack, quarterback hit or a tackle for loss in the final 5 games of last season. Under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, do we see Latu take a step in the sheer numbers?
4. Daniel Jones
Anytime a former top-10 pick at quarterback is on a one-year deal in a new spot, with an open starting job, it’s a massive season for that player. Honestly, Jones has quite the opportunity to save his career with the Colts. What Jones is trying to prove this season is should he still be viewed as 1 of the 32 starting quarterbacks in this league. And the Colts think that’s quite possible.
5. Kwity Paye
You have 4 first-round picks on this list for a reason. Kwity Paye has reached the end of his rookie contract, and will play in 2025 on the fifth-year team option. Paye has combined for 16.5 sacks in the last two seasons, but his consistent pressure is still lacking a bit. The arrival of Lou Anarumo needs a new voice in the decision-making process for defensive personnel. Paye needs to prove himself to Anarumo before he gets that always coveted second contract.
6. Others Considered
Several other crossed my mind for this list. One could make a strong case for the return of Braden Smith who is entering a contract year at the age of 29, with the Colts drafting mid-round offensive tackles in each of the last two drafts. Honestly, JuJu Brents could easily be on this list given his long, and unfortunate, injury history. But the Colts just don’t have a desperate need at corner anymore. At linebacker, Jaylon Carlies is ascending to a major starting role in just his second NFL season. Is he ready to play every snap? If AD Mitchell can prove to be more reliable, that could impact the Colts futures for Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr.
