Colts Stock Watch: Young WRs Shine, Defensive Depth Falters, and Familiar Frustrations Resurface
With just a few weeks left in the season, the Colts find themselves in a familiar spot-out of the playoff picture and searching for answers. But even in a year where expectations once soared, there are still a few bright spots worth highlighting, especially among the team’s young core. Let’s break down who’s trending up-and who’s not-as the Colts head into the final stretch.
📈 Stock Up
Alec Pierce & Josh Downs
If you’re looking for a reason to stay locked into Colts games, look no further than the development of these two young receivers.
Josh Downs has quietly become one of the most reliable options on the field, leading the team in both receptions and first downs against San Francisco. He’s not just catching passes-he’s moving the chains and doing the dirty work between the numbers.
Meanwhile, Alec Pierce reminded everyone why the Colts were high on him to begin with. After a stretch of quiet performances, Pierce exploded for over 85 yards and two touchdowns, showing off his vertical threat ability and strong hands in contested catch situations. That kind of bounce-back game is exactly what you want to see from a young receiver still finding his rhythm in the offense.
And while it’s way too early to talk about reallocating money or roles, performances like this do make you think about how the Colts’ receiving corps could evolve in the near future.
Laiatu Latu
Latu’s impact doesn’t always show up in the box score, but turn on the tape and it’s clear-he’s winning his matchups.
He’s the only Colts defender with a pass-rush win rate above 15% since Justin Houston back in 2019. That’s not just solid; that’s elite in today’s NFL.
The problem? He’s doing it without much help.
The Colts’ secondary has struggled to hold coverage long enough to give him clean-up opportunities, and the linebacker play hasn’t exactly been stellar in coverage either. If the front office can surround Latu with more consistent talent, his production could skyrocket.
For now, he’s proving he’s a foundational piece moving forward.
Philip Rivers
It’s not often you see a quarterback come out of retirement after five years and play meaningful snaps, let alone do it with the kind of poise and command Rivers has shown.
No, he’s not the long-term answer-but in a season that’s been full of setbacks, Rivers’ return has been a welcome storyline. He’s brought a sense of stability and leadership to an offense that needed it, and it’s hard not to root for him to get one more win in front of the home crowd before the curtain closes.
Blake Grupe
Let’s talk about Blake Grupe, because this kid is making a serious case for a long-term role in Indy.
Over the past two weeks, he’s been money. A 60-yarder that should’ve sealed a win?
Check. A perfect kicking day including a 50-yarder?
Check. Grupe is doing everything you could ask of a kicker-and then some.
With the way he’s booting the ball, it’s going to be tough for the Colts to move on from him. He’s not just surviving the pressure-he’s thriving in it.
📉 Stock Down
Backup Cornerbacks
Injuries have decimated the Colts’ secondary, and it showed against the 49ers.
Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards were both targeted early and often-and with good reason. The coverage breakdowns were glaring, and neither player looked ready for extended snaps.
To be fair, no team can withstand this many hits to one position group and come out unscathed. But these were valuable reps for players trying to earn a role in 2026, and they didn’t make the most of the opportunity. At this point, it might be time to see what Jaylon Jones can do-because the current look isn’t cutting it.
Kwity Paye
The numbers don’t lie, and unfortunately for Paye, they’re not pretty.
Among edge rushers who’ve played over 50% of their team’s pass-rushing snaps, Paye ranks 47th out of 50 in total pressures. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player expected to be a difference-maker off the edge.
He’s been a non-factor in the pass rush and only average against the run. With free agency looming, it’s hard to imagine the Colts not looking elsewhere to bolster the position. Latu needs help, and right now, Paye isn’t providing it.
Dalton Tucker
Tucker got another shot to start on the offensive line, and once again, he struggled.
Whether it was getting beat in pass protection or failing to open up running lanes, he was the weak link up front. And with Quenton Nelson not getting any younger, the Colts need depth they can trust on the interior.
The silver lining? Chris Ballard has done well drafting interior linemen in the past. If he stays on board, expect him to take another swing at upgrading this spot-and Tucker may be the odd man out.
Shane Steichen & Chris Ballard
The Colts are missing the playoffs again, and this one stings a little more.
New owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon went all-in, sending two first-round picks to land shutdown corner Sauce Gardner. Injuries derailed that plan, with Gardner missing the back half of the season, but the bigger concern might be the leadership at the top.
Shane Steichen has shown flashes as a play-caller, but the inability to close out tight games and rally the team in key moments has been a recurring issue. Meanwhile, Ballard’s long-standing struggles at quarterback and edge rusher continue to haunt this roster. He’s built a solid foundation-but the cracks at the most important positions are hard to ignore.
With the AFC getting younger and more competitive, the Colts can’t afford to keep spinning their wheels.
Colts Fans
This one hurts.
After a promising start and a feeling that maybe-just maybe-this was the year the Colts turned the corner, it’s back to the drawing board. Injuries played a role, sure.
But it’s the familiar feeling of falling short, despite the early optimism, that stings the most.
There’s hope on the horizon-getting Jones back, a healthier defense, and another offseason to regroup-but with the same leadership likely returning, fans are justified in wondering whether real change is coming.
Final Word
There are pieces here.
Young talent is emerging. But unless the Colts can finally fix the problems that have plagued them year after year-pass rush, quarterback play, and depth in the secondary-they’ll keep finding themselves in the same spot: watching the playoffs from home.
The good news? The building blocks are in place. But it’s time to start turning potential into production.