The Indianapolis Colts’ chances of making the playoffs are slim-to-none, so with three games left in the season, it’s time to start evaluating this roster for what should be one of the most important offseasons in the team’s history.
With the Colts having really nothing to play for these final three games, it gives the Colts a chance to play young guys or possible diamond-in-the-rough type of players that could really stand out these last three games. Think of the rest of the season as a glorified preseason game that counts.
There are a few players that the Colts front office and Colts fans should watch out for these final three games, because if they play well, they could end up starting, or competing for a starting position next season.
Here are a few players to watch as the Colts’ 2019 season comes to an end:
WR Zach Pascal
This is a guy I have been hyping up since the middle of the season and over the past two weeks, he has turned in two solid performances.
Pascal the past two games has put up 12 catches, 183 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Over the season and a reminder, Pascal didn’t catch a pass until week 3, he leads all Colts receivers in catches, yards and touchdowns.
Without T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers and Parris Campbell for the rest of the year, Pascal should be in line to be the number one receiver the rest of the way. Let’s see if he can take advantage of the opportunity given to him.
K Chase McLaughlin
For a lot of Colts fans getting a new kicker in the building was a sign of relief, mostly because Adam Vinatieri was having the worst season of his illustrious NFL career. Last week the Colts brought in McLaughlin with the possibility that Vinatieri would miss last week’s game versus Tampa Bay, and he did.
So how did McLaughlin do in his first game as a Colt? He was 2/3 on field goals—one made from 50 the other from 19 yards. He did have a crucial miss off the uprights from 47 yards late in the fourth quarter. McLaughlin also went 3/3 on extra points Sunday.
With Vinatieri going on season-ending IR McLaughlin now has a three-week tryout for the Colts for the time being. McLaughlin is under contract for next year, so there’s a good chance he will be kicking for the Colts come training camp, but expect the Colts to bring in someone for competition.
TE Ross Travis
A sort of left-field answer here, but the Colts love them some Ross Travis. Currently buried in the depth chart at tight end, but when Travis steps on the field he is a vertical threat that teams must watch.
Travis played well at the end of 2017 and might’ve made the roster in 2018 if it weren’t for him suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the final week of preseason. The Colts initially cut Travis in 2019 in September for roster cutdowns, but they brought him back, and really like him.
Tight end should be a position that needs to be addressed in the offseason, Jack Doyle is getting up there in age even with his new contract, Eric Ebron might not be re-signed and outside of that, the Colts don’t have much at tight end. If Travis makes plays it could save the Colts from having to get a receiving threat tight end in free agency, or draft one relatively high in the draft
