Every NFL team has its marquee players, and the Indianapolis Colts are no exception. With stars like Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Sauce Gardner, and DeForest Buckner leading the charge, there's no shortage of talent.
But even the brightest stars need a solid supporting cast. That's where some of the Colts' lesser-known players step in, ready to make their mark and potentially become the next fan favorites.
Quarterback Riley Leonard
Colts fans got a glimpse of Riley Leonard in 2025, but it was only in the season finale that he truly had his moment to shine. After Daniel Jones suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 14, the Colts made the surprising decision to bring Philip Rivers out of retirement rather than start Leonard. This move spoke volumes about how the team viewed their rookie quarterback at the time.
However, when Leonard finally took the field against a formidable Houston Texans defense in Week 18, he showed flashes of potential. Had he been given the reins earlier, perhaps the Colts' season might have ended differently.
Now, with Jones working to return from injury, Leonard has a chance to step up again. If he gets the nod over Anthony Richardson, Leonard could surprise many and win over the Colts faithful with his underdog story.
Edge Rusher Caden Curry
Among the Colts' roster of potential breakout stars, Caden Curry stands out. A local talent from Center Grove High, Curry chose to hone his skills at Ohio State.
Now, he finds himself in a position of need for the Colts. With Arden Key joining forces with productive edge rusher Laiatu Latu, the Colts' defensive front looks promising but still requires depth.
Enter Curry, who could make an immediate impact if given the opportunity.
Curry's journey at Ohio State was one of gradual development, but the NFL doesn't afford such luxury. He’s a Colts fan at heart, which could fuel his drive to succeed right out of the gate. His passion for the team might just be the edge he needs to become a standout player in the league.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher
The Colts' inside linebacker group is a bit of an enigma, with a mix of unproven talent and new faces. Rookie CJ Allen has shown promise and may take on the role of defensive signal-caller under coordinator Lou Anarumo. Alongside him, free agent Akeem Davis-Gaither is expected to contribute, though his recent history suggests he might not be a long-term solution.
Enter Bryce Boettcher, a tackling machine with the potential to disrupt the status quo. As a fourth-round pick, Boettcher could prove to be a hidden gem.
His ability to cover ground and make plays in coverage is something the Colts have been missing from their linebackers. If he steps into a starting role, Boettcher could quickly become a fixture in Indianapolis, winning over fans with his tenacity and skill.
As the 2026 season approaches, these under-the-radar Colts have a chance to step into the spotlight. Whether it's Leonard leading the offense, Curry bolstering the pass rush, or Boettcher anchoring the defense, each has the potential to become a new fan favorite in Indianapolis.
In Other News...
Colts May Finally Be Forced Into The Risk Fans Wanted
The Colts uneven 2025 finish only sharpened the conversation around how much longer Chris Ballard can keep leaning on patience and internal development. After another season that opened well before sliding to 8-9, Indianapolis is once again looking for a way to add real impact without blowing up its long-term plan, and wide receiver help sits near the top of the list of needs.
Brandon Aiyuk is the kind of swing that could fit that mandate, especially with the 49ers expected to move on from him one way or another. The Colts have reason to pay attention because the path to landing him could be more manageable than a typical splash addition, and with the receiver room already short on proven answers, this is the sort of opening Ballard has often talked around but not always been forced to chase. [Read more 🡒]
These 5 Colts Could Decide How This Season Ends
The Colts are heading into a season where a handful of names could shape everything from the offense to the defense, and the list starts with Daniel Jones. His return gives Indianapolis a new layer of uncertainty and optimism at quarterback, while Alec Pierce is positioned to take on a far bigger role in the passing game and Jonathan Taylor remains the kind of back who can steady the entire operation when the offense needs it most.
On the other side of the ball, Sauce Gardner gives the Colts a high-end answer in the secondary after the mid-season trade that brought him in, and rookie linebacker CJ Allen adds another important piece to a unit still being rebuilt. If those five players settle into their roles the way the Colts hope, the teams ceiling looks a lot different than it did a year ago, but there is still plenty riding on how quickly that mix comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Taylor-Britt Enters Colts Camp With Very Little Margin For Error
Cam Taylor-Britt arrives at Colts camp in a familiar kind of spot for a veteran corner: useful enough to matter, but not so entrenched that anything is guaranteed. Indianapolis already has established options at the top of the depth chart, which means the real work for Taylor-Britt is finding a way to stand out in a crowded fight for the jobs behind them as training camp and final cuts draw closer.
His path gets a little more interesting because of Lou Anarumo, the Colts defensive coordinator, who coached Taylor-Britt in Cincinnati for three seasons. That connection gives him a built-in layer of familiarity, but it does not change the basic reality of camp - he still has to win over a roster spot against other contenders and prove he belongs in the mix when the decisions get tight. [Read more 🡒]