Busts on the Indianapolis Colts

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As we race toward August, Footballguys.com will examine one team per weekday with our quick-hitting Team Sleepers feature. These players might not be complete busts, but we will be highlighting players our staff thinks will disappoint this year and underperform their average draft position (ADP).

Go Deeper: See in-depth projections for every Colts player here >>>

This is a weekday series that will stretch through August 1. If you like this and want another, come back the next workday. Another will be here.

Please note that our staff has identified the players listed below. The official Footballguys stance for every Colt can be found on our projections page.

Busts on the Indianapolis Colts

• TE Tyler Warren - 4 votes
• RB Jonathan Taylor - 4 votes
• WR Michael Pittman - 2 votes
• QB Anthony Richardson - 2 votes
• S Nick Cross - 1 vote
• No One - 1 vote
• CB Jaylon Jones - 1 vote

Reasons TE Tyler Warren Could Be a Bust

• Jason Wood: We've gotten too used to rookie tight ends breaking big, and Warren is being drafted so high that there's no margin for error. He has to be an impact starter immediately, to say nothing of the opportunity cost you're passing up at other positions if you take him at his ADP.
• Andy Hicks: Thanks to Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta, every highly drafted rookie tight end now has higher expectations. Warren does not have conditions in which he can thrive.
• Colton Dodgson: He might pick up where Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers left off and provide massive value as a rookie. He might also need time to find his footing in a crowded offense. The cost won't afford you much time if it's the latter. 
• Jeff Haseley: He may have been a fixture in the Penn State offense, but his workload as a Colt could be much less than people realize. 

Reasons RB Jonathan Taylor Could Be a Bust

• Maurile Tremblay: Second-round ADP is a fragile bet given his chronic injuries, thin receiving work, and a roster Vegas pegs for just ~7 wins.
• David Zacharias: Since 2022, Taylor has averaged fewer than two receptions per game and 12 games per season. The Colts will be playing from behind. Hard to justify mid-RB1 production.
• Meng Song: Taylor is a touchdown-dependent RB2 who doesn't catch many passes. There are other running backs and wide receivers I'd prefer at his second-round ADP.
• Julia Papworth: For a running back being drafted in the top 10, I need pass-catching upside and/or an offensive powerhouse for a team. Unfortunately for Taylor, he doesn't tick either of those boxes.

Reasons WR Michael Pittman Could Be a Bust

• Ben Cummins: He will be fine, but is competing with four other legitimate targets in Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, and Tyler Warren.
• Mauricio Gutierrez: His slump can't be stopped even by a new pair of spurs. And he doesn't have a good jockey either.

Reasons QB Anthony Richardson Could Be a Bust

• Jeff Blaylock: Even with a bargain-basement ADP hovering around QB30, Richardson will disappoint. Even if he wins the starting job, he won't keep it due to poor play, injuries, losing, or a combination of these.
• Craig Lakins: Aside from the fact that I don't think he sees the field due to injury, if he does play, he's shown very little ability to simply complete passes. He's not worth the late-round dart throw. 

Reason S Nick Cross Could Be a Bust

• Kyle Bellefeuil: Cross had a breakout third season last year. However, his role in the new defensive scheme isn't as IDP-friendly, likely causing a drop in his tackle output for those expecting a repeat.

Reason No One Could Be a Bust

• Phil Alexander: Colts players are either fairly priced or undervalued. Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, and DJ Giddens are even worth late-round flyers in deeper leagues.

Reason CB Jaylon Jones Could Be a Bust

• Tripp Brebner: Someone's always willing to bet that a cornerback's past performance indicates future results. Jones might not even play full-time in 2025.

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