In order for the Indianapolis Colts to find sustained success this season, which three non-star players in particular will play pivotal roles in accomplishing that?

Football is the ultimate team game. For a single play to be successful, it takes all 11 players being on the same page and operating as a cohesive unit. However, with that said, the season-long impact that each of those 11 players can have will vary based on the position they play and their individual production over the year.

We know the star players on this team, like DeForest Buckner, Jonathan Taylor, Quenton Nelson, and others, all have to operate at a high level. But which of the non-stars on this team can have a major impact on how this season unfolds?

DE Laiatu Latu

The name of the game is getting after the quarterback, and that’s an area where the Colts have to improve after ranking in the bottom third last season in pressures and sacks. Helping the defensive front out should be the addition of Lou Anarumo as the defensive coordinator. His more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme should buy the defensive line additional time to get home that they weren’t always afforded last year.

But also a big part of that equation will be Latu making a Year 2 leap. Latu’s 38 pressures last season were second on the team but ranked 50th among defensive ends. However, a major reason for optimism is that Latu ranked 27th in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric. What that tells us is that he was consistently winning his matchups, and when that takes place, the production often follows.

QB Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones

To state the obvious, the level of play from whoever is under center will determine the ceiling for this Colts team. As we’ve discussed previously, on both sides of the ball, there is a ton to like about this Colts’ roster. Even with somewhat steady quarterback play, one can see a path for this team to be able to stack some wins.

But on the flip side, if the Colts continue to struggle with consistency here, that is difficult for any team to overcome during a long NFL season. Richardson and Jones will be competing for that starting job, but Jones will likely enter training camp with the upper hand after taking almost all the first-team reps during offseason programs.

C Tanor Bortolini and RG Matt Goncalves

These two are competing for those starting spots, but presumably, they will be the Colts’ starters at center and right guard. Both showed promise last season, but both are still relatively inexperienced players as well, and with that comes unknowns.

Bortolini is at a position where there is a lot that is put on that player’s plate, both pre-snap and particularly in the run game within Shane Steichen’s offense. Goncalves, meanwhile, is making a position change, having played just 44 guard snaps in actual games during his college career.

Naturally, all eyes will be on Jones vs. Richardson, but consistent success for the Colts offense begins up front. Regardless of who is starting at quarterback, a strong running game is needed,d and so is time in the pocket for there to be any chance of being successful.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Laiatu Latu, Tanor Bortolini among Colts to play pivotal roles in 2024