Final Season Awards For 2024 Colts - Page 5

INDIANAPOLIS – Award season is here for the 2024 Indianapolis Colts.

The annual award season comes with the Colts finishing 8-9 and missing the playoffs for a 4^th straight year.

Here are a handful of Colts awards for the 2024 season:

1. MVP: Jonathan Taylor

MVP: Jonathan Taylor

I choose to hand out the MVP to the “best player” as opposed to the actual acronym of Most Valuable Player. Jonathan Taylor was the Colts best player in 2024. Taylor ran for 1,431 yards in his 14 games played, scoring 11 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark in 8 of his 14 games played. Taylor was 4^th in the league in rushing yards, and 3^rd in rushing yards per game at 102.2. He is an elite 1^st, 2^nd down runner and got back to showing that in 2024.

Others receiving votes: Alec Pierce

2. Offensive Player of the Year: Alec Pierce

Offensive Player of the Year: Alec Pierce

Pierce probably could have won “breakout player of the year,” but I think his big play ability qualifies enough to take home this honor. A receiver having 37 catches in 16 games makes for a skeptical OPOY candidate, but I can’t ignore the 22.3 yards per catch (led the NFL) and 7 touchdowns. I also thought Pierce showed some growth in other routes, and came up big in the 4^th quarter, time and time again. Pierce also led the NFL with 86.5 percent of his catches going for a 1^st down.

Others receiving votes: Quenton Nelson

3. Defensive Player of the Year: DeForest Buckner

Defensive Player of the Year: DeForest Buckner

When a guy misses 5 games in a season that typically removes him from these sorts of lists. But I still think Bucker is deserving of the honor. His 6.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hits and 8 tackles for loss are notable numbers, given the limited game action. I had some debate with Zaire Franklin, but decided to give the edge to Buckner

Others receiving votes: Zaire Franklin

4. Rookie of the Year: Laiatu Latu

Rookie of the Year: Laiatu Latu

Should I have gone with one of the rookie offensive linemen, with Matt Goncalves getting 8 starts and Tanor Bortolini asked to start a handful of times? Perhaps. But I’ll still go with Laiatu Latu. It was a quiet finish to the rookie season for Latu, finishing his first year with 4.0 sacks, 5 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits, in playing 54 percent of the defensive snaps. Honestly, no one is uber deserving of taking home this award, but we still must give it out, so Latu is the winner.

Others receiving votes: Matt Goncalves

5. Breakout Player: Nick Cross

Breakout Player: Nick Cross

I don’t love giving a guy multiple awards, so I’ll go with Nick Cross over Alec Pierce here. Cross started all 17 games at strong safety, showing some nice playmaking. It wasn’t a banner year for the Colts defense by any means, but you have to be pleased with what Cross showed in Year 3.

Others receiving votes: Alec Pierce

6. Most Disappointing: Defensive Line  

Most Disappointing: Defensive Line

The Colts thought they had one of the best defensive lines in all of football entering this season. But the group ranked 25^th in sack percentage and 24^th in rushing yards allowed per game. Given the inexperience of the secondary, it was vital the Colts got elite level play from their defensive front. However, that didn’t happen right out of the gate with Joe Mixon and Josh Jacobs running all over the Colts, contributing heavily to an 0-2 start. The run defense did improve from there, but the defensive line still lacked consistent, individual playmaking. Chris Ballard has invested some serious, serious resources into the Colts defensive line. Yet, the group struggled to sniff the return on that in 2024.

Others receiving votes: Passing Offense