The Indianapolis Colts are coming out of their bye week preparing for the second half of the season, and they likely used some of that time to evaluate how certain players have performed through the first five games.
Though it is a bit of a small sample size, the Colts are beginning to see trends of production that could force them to give some players more playing time in the second half. Or maybe a certain player needs to see more snaps in order to get into a rhythm.
Regardless, here are six Colts that need to see more playing time coming out of the bye week:
WR Zach Pascal — Snap percentage: 50.6%
Over the last few weeks, the Colts have been using Pascal as the de-facto WR2 opposite T.Y. Hilton. He currently is playing the second-most snaps in the wide receiver room and while his snap percentage doesn’t show a lot of room for growth, Pascal should be the WR2 moving forward.
With Devin Funchess still out with a broken collarbone. The Colts have been trying different pieces out for the WR2 role. They’ve tried Deon Cain, and it hasn’t worked out thus far as he continues to work his way back from the torn ACL that claimed his 2018 season.
Pascal has been reliable and productive every time he has been forced into a bigger role. Now, the Colts need to run with it and make Pascal the WR2 until further notice.
DT Grover Stewart — Snap percentage: 49.8%
The Colts run defense has been putrid this season, and that’s putting it lightly. They opted to go with a slimmer defensive line on the interior, and it hadn’t worked out leading up to the Chiefs game in Week 5. Stewart saw some extra playing time in that contest, and it helped out greatly.
The Colts must figure out how to get their run defense going in the right direction for the second half. Using a bigger defensive line—Stewart specifically—could pay big dividends in stopping the run.
The third-year defensive tackle has shown improvement in 2019 after not showing much during his first two seasons. He’s been a consistent asset on the interior and should see some more playing time moving forward.
WR Parris Campbell — Snap percentage: 31.8%
Now, we talked about the wide receivers failing to step up when called upon following the absence of Funchess. Campbell has been a part of that group that has disappointed thus far, but he gets a slight pass because he’s a rookie. Historically, it takes time for rookie wide receivers to produce in their first season.
With a chance to take the AFC South crown, the Colts offense has to become more explosive. Campbell is arguably one of the biggest playmakers on that side of the ball—talent-wise—even if he hasn’t truly shown it yet.
The Colts have been working Campbell on the outside a little bit and while that’s fine, they should look to get him and his game-breaking speed involved in the game plan more if they believe he has a firm grasp of the playbook.
S George Odum — Snap percentage: 23.8%
The Colts entered Arrowhead Stadium with a lot of question marks, especially in the safety room. With Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers out due to injuries, the Colts had to rely on Odum next to rookie Khari Willis.
Odum was sensational against the Chiefs, showing off his development as a player that can make an impact outside of special teams. He was solid in coverage and had a huge forced fumble on LeSean McCoy.
Odum deserves more playing time because when Geathers and Hooker return—potentially this week—he’s likely to go back to his minimal role. But Odum should truly be the third safety in the rotation behind Hooker and Willis if the Colts want their best group of safeties on the field.
TE Mo Alie-Cox — Snap percentage: 30.5%
Playing 30% of the snaps thus far through the first five games, Alie-Cox has shown some strong development both as a pass catcher and as a run blocker. He out-snapped Eric Ebron in Week 5 and while that could likely be attributed to the run-heavy game plan, the former VCU basketball standout should see more snaps moving forward.
Alie-Cox hasn’t made much of an impact in the passing game despite showing improvements. He’s been mostly used as a leak tight end on short routes while proving to be an above-average run blocker.
With both Doyle and Ebron set to hit free agency, the Colts will have to make a decision on which one to keep. It could be both but if they believe Alie-Cox has a future as a starting tight end, he needs to see more snaps moving forward.
DE Ben Banogu — Snap percentage: 21.8%
The Colts suffered a tough injury when Kemoko Turay went down with a gruesome ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of the Week 5 win against the Chiefs. If there is any silver lining to the difficult situation, it’s that they could get a look at their second-round pick in Banogu.
Though he’s played just 21% of snaps through five games, the Colts should use Banogu more—even if it is simply in a situational rushing role. There have been flashes here and there, but he’s been largely without impact for the majority of his first five games.
There’s time for Banogu to develop. But sometimes the best development is getting on the field and learning in real-time. The TCU product has a high ceiling and is uber-athletic and should see more playing time down the stretch.
