ESPN’s Seth Walder recently handed out offseason grades for each NFL team, and although the Indianapolis Colts didn’t make any “headline-grabbing moves,” as Walder put it, he did think highly of the job GM Chris Ballard did.
The theme of the offseason for the Colts was continuity, with their focus being on retaining their own players over bringing in outside additions. This included extending Michael Pittman, Zaire Franklin, and DeForest Buckner, along with re-signing Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore, and Julian Blackmon, among others.
In the draft, the Colts would address two of their biggest needs right away, adding immediate impact help at pass rusher and receiver, selecting Laiatu Latu in the first round and Adonai Mitchell in the second round.
For my deeper dive into the Colts’ offseason moves, click here. Otherwise, here is the grade that Walder gave the Colts and how that compared to the rest of the NFL. For a detailed breakdown from Walder on why he gave each team the grades that he did, click here.
Sep 26, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Philadelphia Eagles helmet sits on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Chargers helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of a New England Patriots helmet against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the Chicago Bears helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Browns helmet prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 20-3. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; General view of a New York Jets helmet prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Baltimore Ravens helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A view of a Bengals helmet on the sidelines in the game of the Indianapolis Colts against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet sits on the field during minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2018; Santa Clara, CA, USA; General view of the San Francisco 49ers helmet against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2018; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Detailed view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets on the sidelines against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A Tennessee Titans helmet sits in the end zone before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Green Bay Packers helmet during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Houston Texans helmet during the AFC Divisional Round playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an Los Angeles Rams helmet against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals helmet on the bench during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Buffalo Bills helmet in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmet on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; A detailed view of the New York Giants helmet during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Washington Commanders helmet during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of a Detroit Lions helmet on the bench before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2018; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmets on the bench during their game against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet prior to the NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shane Roper-USA TODAY Sports
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; A detail view of New Orleans Saints helmet during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports