How 5 Indianapolis Colts Rookies Graded in 2023

The Indianapolis Colts had five rookies play major roles for the team in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts have one of the youngest teams in the NFL from top to bottom, due in part to their 12 selections from the 2023 NFL Draft.

Head coach Shane Steichen & Co. didn’t expect serious or season-ending injuries to five rookies (quarterback Anthony Richardson, safety Daniel Scott, running back Evan Hull, defensive end Titus Leo, and offensive tackle Jake Witt.)

Despite the injury bug biting their rookie class, five notable players still had to take charge in starting roles throughout the year, ending in an unexpected 9-8 record. With this on tap, it’s time to give grades to these names from the 2023 campaign.

(Disclaimer: Richardson and defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore will be excluded due to the small sample size of games/snaps.)

JuJu Brents | Cornerback | Grade: B+

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As soon as Kansas State corner JuJu Brents was selected in round two (44th overall), it was assumed he’d start with a young secondary in Indy. However, he only saw nine games due to injuries but made impactful plays all over the field.

During the year, Brents showcased solid coverage with his physical style, finishing with a 64.5 coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus. This came along with limited big plays allowed.

The knock on Brents is his speed and quickness with adjustments. This was put on display against the Houston Texans in Week 18, where wide receiver Nico Collins manhandled Brents with unrelenting speed. Collins finished perfectly in that game with 9 catches on as many targets, including a 75-yard score along with 195 total yards.

Brents has a bright future and was more often than not a solid piece to the Indy defense. 

Josh Downs | Wide Receiver | Grade: A+

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There was a thought that rookie receiver Josh Downs would sit behind newly acquired veteran slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie, but that was proven to be incorrect from Week 1on.

Downs never let up the position and flourished in Steichen’s offense with crisp route-running, efficient hands, and quick-win ability.

Despite having both Richardson and Gardner Minshew as passers, Downs caught 68 throws for 771 yards and 2 touchdowns. This is now the record for most catches by a Colts rookie, with Downs passing NFL Hall-of-Famer Marvin Harrison (64) and Ring-of-Honor member Bill Brooks (65).

Downs is going to be a star if he continues to build off a brilliant rookie performance and could be in line for a massive 2024 if Richardson can stay under center for the whole season. 

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Blake Freeland | Offensive Tackle | Grade: D+

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The NFL is a brutally honest league, and this grade comes with that notion.

Former BYU tackle Blake Freeland wasn’t drafted in the fourth round to start but to back up starting tackles Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith. Freeland brought enough experience on the left and right tackle spots to be known as a “swing tackle” for Indianapolis.

While Raimann stayed mostly healthy, Smith struggled mightily with different injuries, playing in just 10 games to finish his sixth NFL season.

This threw Freeland into the fire against pass-rushing brutes like Josh Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars), Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams), Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), Brian Burns (Carolina Panthers), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Ultimately, Freeland was often getting blown backward in pass protection and wasn’t much more effective blocking for the run either. He would allow 37 hurries, 45 pressures, and several QB hits in 701 snaps, per PFF.

Freeland won’t start in 2024 if Indy can help it, and he'll look to improve if his number is called upon again. 

Will Mallory | Tight End | Grade: B-

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Miami tight end Will Mallory was drafted in round five (162nd overall) to bring unique speed and pass-catching ability to a Colts team that needed it at the position for depth.

Initially, it seemed that Mallory would sit behind Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, and Mo Alie-Cox, with the potential to even miss the 53-man roster. However, with Woods succumbing to hamstring issues that removed his 2023 season, Mallory got a bump on the depth chart.

He caught 18 passes on 26 targets (69.2% efficiency) for 207 yards and 11 first downs. Not a massive workload, but when counted on, often made the catch and sometimes created extra yardage.

If Woods can come back to form for the new season it may throw a wrench in Mallory’s sophomore performance. But, with Granson and Alie-Cox not looking like consistent targets at tight end, perhaps Mallory will get a chance to use his 4.54-second 40-yard speed (fastest tight end in the 2023 draft) to get more chances to shine. 

Jaylon Jones | Cornerback | Grade: C+

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To ask a seventh-round rookie defensive back to handle receivers like Adam Thielen (Panthers) and Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), among others, is daunting. However, Texas A&M corner Jaylon Jones did just this and didn’t flinch at all.

Once fifth-round corner Darius Rush was waived, it was Jones’ position to take. He ended up playing in all 17 games (10 starts) and was reliable given his draft position and expectations.

Tallying 44 tackles and 5 passes defended, Jones also displayed efficient tackling, posting a 72.1 grade, per PFF.

Jones will need to be more consistent in pass coverage to keep a starting role on this defense. Given that many wrote him off when drafted, he’s proven the doubters wrong and will look to continue this in year two under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. 

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