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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Colts rookie tagged as ‘overlooked'; can have breakout year
The running back position is one of the most disposable in the game of football. Teams have learned that they can get solid production out of the position without prioritizing investing at the position. There are, of course, exceptions. The Colts are one of those teams to sway slightly from the norm as they will pay two-time Pro Bowl back Jonathan Taylor $11.9 million to be their starter, according to Spotrac. Indy added more bodies at the position this offseason after 2024 proved their depth behind Taylor was lacking. Khalil Herbert signed a one-year deal in free agency as a veteran player who can provide a change of pace and lessen the load on Taylor. The Colts also drafted DJ Giddens out of Kansas State, who's already received buzz as a dark horse candidate to emerge as a reliable piece in Shane Steichen's offense. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski mentioned Giddens among the rookie running backs he believes are being overlooked this offseason and could surprise in 2025. Sobleski mentioned how the Colts running back play dropped off significantly when Taylor became unavailable due to injury— an occurrence which has become more common in recent years. The 26-year-old has missed 16 games in the last three seasons. But he thinks Giddens is a perfect fit to go along with Taylor. 'A bit of Taylor can be found in DJ Giddens' game. Over the last two seasons, the Kansas State product amassed 3,150 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns. He has a gliding style with breakaway speed,' he writes. 'With the likelihood of Taylor missing at least some time for the fourth straight season…and Giddens providing explosive capabilities out of the backfield, the rookie can be a relatively big part of Indianapolis' offensive plans.' The Colts were excited about Giddens when they drafted him in the fifth round in April. Head coach Shane Steichen likes his combination of a tough play style with versatility. 'The vision, the contact balance, the way he runs—he's a 4.43 (40-yard dash) guy that can catch the ball out of the backfield, is big for our team as well. So, it's a good get.' Of course, Giddens still has to earn his snaps in training camp, beginning July 23. But, there's no denying the league could be in for a rude awakening if the Colts are able to unleash him in their run-heavy offense.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
6 Indianapolis Colts players on offense to watch during training camp
Training camp is almost here for the Indianapolis Colts. The rookies will report on July 21st, the veterans on July 22nd, and the first practice will take place on the 23rd. There are always numerous storylines to watch for as camp unfolds, many centered around positional battles. But for now, we will focus our attention on specific players. Going through each unit on the offensive side of the football, here is one particular player to watch closely over the next several weeks. Quarterback: Anthony Richardson ESPN's Stephen Holder reported recently that Richardson is "believed to have recovered from his recent right shoulder setback." Holder added that Richardson has already been throwing, but did also mention that the Colts' training staff still has to evaluate Richardson's shoulder and the possibility of there being a "pitch count" as he ramps up. Richardson would miss most of OTAs and all of minicamp due to a shoulder setback. That left all of the first team reps for Daniel Jones, who seemingly made the most of those opportunities. What took place in offseason programs won't determine who starts Week 1, but Richardson will have to hit the ground running after missing valuable reps. Running back: DJ Giddens Giddens will be competing for the RB2 reps behind Jonathan Taylor. He joins the Colts after eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons at Kansas State. This included averaging an impressive 6.5 yards per rush in 2024 as he was very difficult to bring down. Giddens also brings some pass-catching experience to the backfield, which the Colts could certainly use. Wide receiver: AD Mitchell After a rocky rookie season, AD Mitchell is off to an "exciting start" this offseason, as offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter put it. It's been evident since Day 1 that Mitchell has the ability to get open, brings added playmaking potential to the offense, and he has the ability to attack all levels of the field. The big thing that's needed, however, is more consistency. Tight end: Tyler Warren All eyes are going to be on Tyler Warren, who has already been a go-to target in the passing game. It was "practically impossible to watch an Indianapolis practice and not notice how often Warren touched the football," wrote Holder. But in training camp, with the pads on, we will get a much better look at the overall impact Warren can have with his versatility and ability in the run game as a blocker. His do-it-all skill set will allow him to make his mark in a variety of ways. Offensive line: Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves It's a tie here, with Bortolini the presumed starter at center in place of Ryan Kelly, and Goncalves is presumably taking over at right guard for Will Fries--although both will be competing for those roles, says offensive line coach Tony Sparano. Bortolini would hold his own when called upon as a rookie, and while Goncalves doesn't have much experience in games at guard, he practiced there last season and improved as the year went on. But with that said, these are still two relatively inexperienced players, and with that can come some unknowns. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp: 6 Key players to watch on offense
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
First look at rookie RB DJ Giddens in full Indianapolis Colts' uniform
First look at rookie RB DJ Giddens in full Indianapolis Colts' uniform Following Indianapolis Colts' minicamp, we got our first look at rookie running back DJ Giddens in his full home uniform. Following Indianapolis Colts' minicamp, we got our first look at rookie running back DJ Giddens in his full home uniform. The Colts drafted Giddens out of Kansas State in the fifth round of this past April's draft. He, along with Khalil Herbert, will attempt to provide the Colts with more production at the backup running back position behind Jonathan Taylor--something that GM Chris Ballard said the team needed earlier this offseason. After rushing for over 1,200 yards in 2023, Giddens eclipsed 1,300 yards in 2024. This past season, specifically, he averaged a hefty 6.5 yards per attempt, which included ranking sixth in average yards after contact and 20th in missed tackles forced. With Giddens being difficult to bring down, he totaled the 15th-most rushes of 10-plus yards, according to PFF. Along with his contributions as a ball carrier, Giddens was also active in the passing game, totaling 72 targets over the last two seasons. This area, in particular, is where he could give the Colts' offense a boost, given that this was an element out of the backfield that was largely missing last season. 'He's got to improve a little bit in the pass pro, but he's only 21 years old," area scout Tyler Hughes said via the Indy Star. "He played through that wrist injury this year, so you can give him a slight advantage where it's going to get better, but he's tough enough, he's strong enough and he knows the game well enough where you see his character come into effect there. "He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game. He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably." Giddens will be competing with Herbert, as well as Tyler Goodson, for the primary backup role behind Taylor.
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN projects Indianapolis Colts RB DJ Giddens' stat line for 2025 season
ESPN projects Indianapolis Colts RB DJ Giddens' stat line for 2025 season Production-wise, what will we see from Indianapolis Colts' rookie running back DJ Giddens this season? ESPN made its projection. Production-wise, what will we see from Indianapolis Colts' rookie running back DJ Giddens this season? Mike Clay of ESPN recently put the 25 drafted running backs into tiers based on what he expects their role to be. And with that, he also projected what each running back's production totals in 2025 might look like. For Giddens, he fell into the 'Situational backs and backups' category. GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine that the Colts needed more production from the backup running back position this season, but Jonathan Taylor is still going to shoulder the workload. "Giddens has a solid frame and showed off his athleticism at the combine, with the second-best vertical (39½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-10) among RBs," wrote Clay. "He was solid in terms of his efficiency as a collegiate rusher, but he struggled with drops and might max out as an early-down option." As far as Giddens' production goes, Clay projects that he will rush for 201 yards on 48 carries with two touchdowns. In the passing game, he will catch seven passes for 49 yards. Perhaps I'm a little too bullish on Giddens, but those production numbers feel light all around. 48 carries on the season is less than three per game. As mentioned, Taylor will continue to be a workhorse back, but I do think there are more opportunities out there than 2-3 carries a game. Also competing with Giddens for that backup role will be Khalil Herbert, whose experience may give him an advantage. But Giddens packs too much big-play potential not to have the ball in his hands when Taylor isn't in the game. "It's competition, for sure," Giddens said. "Everybody coming in -- I'm coming in to start -- that's what everybody's mindset is. But whatever it is, I'm gonna keep working, so I'm not trippin'. "That's just how I am. I just ain't scared of competition. I'll play my role, and as long as I'm making an impact on the team, that's all that matters." In the passing game, like any rookie back, as Ballard pointed out, Giddens will have to improve in pass protection, and doing so will be important when it comes to seeing snaps on passing downs. However, it's not as if there is a clear-cut pass-catching option on the roster at running back either for the Colts. This was an element that was mostly non-existent on offense for Indianapolis last season. So again, I think there are more opportunities out there for Giddens than what is being projected, and more opportunities means more production. "He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game," said Colts' area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. "He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably."
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 Things to know about Indianapolis Colts' fifth-round pick RB DJ Giddens
5 Things to know about Indianapolis Colts' fifth-round pick RB DJ Giddens Here are five things to know about DJ Giddens, the Colts' 2025 fifth-round pick. In the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Kansas State running back DJ Giddens, who can provide them with some much-needed production behind Jonathan Taylor. In terms of where the Colts picked Giddens at 151st overall compared to his consensus big board ranking, this selection provided Indianapolis with the most value in that regard. Here are five things to know about Giddens, the Colts' 2025 fifth-round pick: A big play threat with the ball At the NFL combine, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that the Colts needed more production from the backup running back role. Well, Giddens comes to the NFL with a lot of that and often did so by generating some big plays on the ground. Giddens would rush for over 1,200 yards in 2023 and then eclipse 1,300 yards in 2024. This past year specifically, he averaged a hefty 6.5 yards per rush and ranked sixth among all backs in average yards after contact. He was also 20th in missed tackles forced and 15th in rushes of 10 or more yards. Ballard would mention how difficult it can be to bring Giddens down because of his contact balance and ability to stay on his feet. Running a 4.43-second 40 helps as well. Can Giddens give the Colts that steady pass-catching presence? The Colts did not have much of a pass-catching presence out of the backfield last season. Having that element within an offense can create another dimension that defenses have to account for and can open up the playbook a bit more for Shane Steichen. Along with Giddens' contributions in the run game, he was a steady presence in the Kansas State passing game as well, totaling 72 targets and almost 600 yards over his final two seasons. By using Giddens in the passing game, you're getting him the ball in space, where his speed and ability to make defenders miss are on full display. This was evident last season when Giddens averaged a whopping 12.9 yards per catch, which ranked 11th among running backs, per PFF. What did the Colts' scouts like about Giddens? Tyler Hughes, area scout: 'He's got to improve a little bit in the pass pro, but he's only 21 years old," Hughes said via the Indy Star. "He played through that wrist injury this year, so you can give him a slight advantage where it's going to get better, but he's tough enough, he's strong enough and he knows the game well enough where you see his character come into effect there. He's going to hit his ceiling in the passing game. He's shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably. 'They've got to be smart enough and they've got to be tough enough. That's what this kid is. … He played banged-up this whole season for the most part, he's not a guy who goes down on first contact, he can run through people." DJ Giddens' athletic profile What one draft expert has to say Dane Brugler, The Athletic: "Giddens displays good vision, tempo and cutting skills at the line of scrimmage, and he is at his best when he has room to anticipate angles and sidestep or spin out of tackles. However, there is a massive gap between the talent level of tacklers in the Big 12 and what he will see in the NFL — thus far, he's been able to get away with some of his tentative tendencies. Overall, Giddens is a narrow, upright runner and doesn't have a grind-it-out mentality, but his gliding quickness and innate balance help him create. He projects best in an NFL scheme with a play caller who can get him into space as part of a committee."
