Colts Well Represented on CBS Top 100 Players List
The Indianapolis Colts failed to meet expectations last year and made significant changes including the hiring of head coach Shane Steichen.
One of the reasons the Colts had such high expectations was the core of good, young players on both sides of the ball.
That core remains intact and four of them made the CBS list of Top 100 Players in the NFL compiled by Pete Prisco.
Several of these players will be counted on heavily to rebound from what can be considered a down season in 2022.
No. 36 Jonathan Taylor
After leading the NFL in rushing in 2021, he struggled last season by comparison. He played behind a bad line and had an ankle injury. If he's healthy, he will be a star runner again this season. -- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Next on the list is guard Quenton Nelson. Nelson seems to be getting the benefit of the doubt on many of these lists. Even Prisco seems to apologize for including him this year.
No. 59 Quenton Nelson
His play has tailed off the past three seasons. He hasn't been close to being the dominant player he was early in his career. Injuries have slowed him some. -- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
DeForest Buckner is the third Colts player to make the list, and he still seems to be underrated. A Pro Bowl player in 2020 and 2021, Buckner's production didn't fall off, but he got snubbed in 2022 as the Colts season spiraled down the drain.
No. 65 DeForest Buckner
Since coming to the Colts in 2020 in a trade, he has been a force on their front. He is a big, powerful man who can push the pocket. -- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
Linebacker Shaq Leonard rounds out the four-Colts players on the top 100. Leonard's 2022 was all but lost to a back injury, and the Colts are counting on him to return to form to lead the defense.
No. 98 Shaq Leonard
He missed all but three games last season with a back injury. He isn't all the way back yet, so he was a tough player to place. I will go with him being ready when the season starts, so he's in this spot. -- Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
The Colts will hope some of their young-offensive stars will be on the list in the near future. Wide receiver Michael Pittman should be under consideration, and if rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson can adapt to the NFL quickly, both players could warrant placement on future top-100 lists.
The cupboard isn't bare in Indianapolis despite the 4-12-1 record a season ago. If the veterans can return to their best while the young players develop, playoffs aren't out of the question for this Colts team.
