NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-mandatory minicamp edition
By Randy Gurzi
5. Indianapolis Colts (10)
No team that starts off 1-5 should make the postseason, but that’s exactly what the Indianapolis Colts did in 2018. After their horrific start, head coach Frank Reich and quarterback Andrew Luck were able to right the ship and go 9-1 down the stretch. They also pulled off a postseason win, which has hopes high in Indy heading into this season.
Not only did Luck start to look like his old self again — which sparked the 9-1 run — but the Colts suddenly have a good defense. General manager Chris Ballard has stocked up on second-round picks which led to the selection of linebacker Darius Leonard (who won the 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award) in 2018 and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and defensive end Ben Banogu this season.
Ballard also landed a strong defensive coordinator in Matt Eberflus, who was a legitimate candidate for some head coaching vacancies in the offseason after his work with this defense.
The Colts even shored up their receiver corps, which was a major need. Parris Campbell was another second-round pick and Devin Funchess was a free agent add who gives them size on the outside. Penny Hart was an undrafted signing who could also find his way into the mix. In short, the arrow is pointing up for the Colts.