According to PFF, the Indianapolis Colts have just the NFL’s 28th best secondary before the 2024 campaign begins:
28. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts’ secondary is led by cornerback Kenny Moore II, one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. Julian Blackmon had a career year in 2023, putting up a 68.3 overall grade, but this is a unit that needs a leap from second-year corner JuJu Brents and someone to step up at safety opposite of Blackmon.
While Colts general manager Chris Ballard remains ‘bullish’ on his young secondary, it’s hard to be too upset with the current ranking as is.
Right now, the Colts have re-signed veteran Kenny Moore II, who remains one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league, as well as re-signed fellow free agent Julian Blackmon at starting safety, who’s solid when healthy, and then a lot of question marks.
The remaining secondary doesn’t necessarily lack talent and ability as both former 2023 second round pick JuJu Brents and 2022 3rd round pick Nick Cross have a lot of physical tools at their respective positions—but with it also comes a lot of inexperience and potential growing pains.
Beyond that, the Colts will be counting on either Dallis Flowers or Jaylon Jones to solidify the outside CB2 spot opposite Brents—while 3rd-year pro Rodney Thomas II cannot be ruled out of beating out Cross for the starting safety spot next to Blackmon in training camp.
One of the big surprises of the offseason so far is that the Colts have done very little to meaningfully address either the cornerback or safety positions to-date, besides retaining both Moore and Blackmon in free agency. A veteran signing would make sense, particularly at starting safety where there’s a handful of quality options that still remain unsigned.
The Colts have only drafted Marshall 6th round cornerback Micah Abraham in the 2024 NFL Draft and have done next to nothing at safety—especially in light of recently losing 2nd-year safety Daniel Scott to another season-ending injury during minicamp practices.
This is a secondary that has the youth and potential to improve upon this ranking as the season progresses, but it also could end up being the Achilles heel of the Colts defense. If it does consistently falter, then it’s a deficiency that most Colts fans saw coming a mile away.