With the page turning to the 2024 offseason for the Indianapolis Colts, it is time to take a look at which players are set to take on a bigger role.
There are a couple of players that made an impact in 2023 and have put themselves in a position to compete for an opening-day starting job. While there are a few that had some nice flashes this past year and will have a chance to carve out more playing time in the upcoming season.
Here are five players that are set to take on a bigger role in 2024:
1
DE Dayo Odeyingbo
It has been a steady climb for Dayo Odeyingbo since starting his pro career rehabbing a torn Achilles that he suffered in preparing for the NFL draft back in 2021. He has developed into a versatile chess piece for the Indy defensive front and is coming off a breakout season in Year 3.
After setting several career highs playing in a rotational role, Odeyingbo has shown that he deserves more playing time on the field. He played just 53% of the defensive snaps in 2023 and with how efficient he was in his limited time, I believe he should be playing at least 65% of the snaps in 2024 and should have an opportunity to push for a starting role in the preseason.
With further development this offseason, Odeyingbo can earn honors for the first time in his career in Year 4.
2
S Nick Cross
Patience has been vital for Nick Cross in his first two seasons in the league. After getting sent to the bench after starting in his first two career games in 2022, Cross didn’t play more than 8% of the defensive snaps until Week 12 of this past season.
His work behind the scenes paid off as he started to see his playing time increase. Cross showcased his tackling ability and some flashes in coverage in the final six weeks. When Julian Blackmon got injured in Week 15, Cross’ defensive snaps jumped to 86%, and he played 100% of the defensive snaps in the final two games in which he got the start.
Unless Chris Ballard brings in a veteran safety to compete with him for a starting role, Cross is set to remain in the position that he finished 2023 in. The Indy defense needs him to continue to trend upward and take the next step in Year 3.
3
TE Will Mallory
It was a bit of a surprise when Chris Ballard took Will Mallory in the fifth round of last year’s NFL draft because of the depth the tight end room already had. But with Jelani Woods being sidelined the whole season and others in the position group missing games, Mallory was called on more than expected in Year 1.
Mallory played 20% of the offensive snaps in 2023 and played more than 30% of the snaps in three of the 12 games he appeared in. In those three games, he had 11 receptions for 122 yards on 12 targets. He was efficient with his receptions throughout the year. He averaged 11.5 yards per reception and picked up 11 first downs on his 18 receptions for the season.
He’s shown some positive things in his limited action and with a year under his belt, he should have a chance to carve out a larger role in Year 2. If Chris Ballard doesn’t bring in another player to the tight end room and/or Woods can’t stay healthy in 2024, I wouldn’t be shocked if Mallory led all the tight ends in receiving yards next season.
4
DL Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adebawore’s rookie season was spent working behind the scenes until he started to see some action on the field when Grover Stewart was serving his six-game suspension. He only appeared in 10 games this season, playing in 19% of the defensive snaps.
There was a four-game stretch when Adebawore played at least 25% of the defensive snaps. He had a QB hit in each of those contests. His best performance came in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers where he had two tackles (two solo), a TFL, a QB hit, and his first career sack.
With DeForest Buckner turning 30 this offseason and entering the final year of his contract, Adebawore’s development at the 3-tech spot will be vital for him to grow as a rotational player in 2024 and beyond.
5
LB Segun Olubi
Segun Olubi spent most of the 2023 season as a special teamer but eventually started working with the defense starting in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. At the time, seeing he was getting snaps over Shaquille Leonard was shocking. He reverted to his special teams role until he got his first career start against the Carolina Panthers when Zaire Franklin was sidelined with a knee injury.
He played 100% of the defensive snaps in that contest and finished with six tackles (four solo) plus got his first career interception. Olubi once again went back to working with special teams the following week but ended up working with the defense in the final two weeks.
Olubi played in 17% of the defensive snaps in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders and 38% of the defensive snaps in the Week 18 game versus the Houston Texans. In that matchup, he set a new career-high with eight tackles (eight solo). He is set to be the top backup to Frankin and E.J. Speed in 2024 but should have the opportunity to work in a rotational role as he did at the end of 2023.
