Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts’ latest team notebook—compiled by coaches, front office staff, and scouting personnel—shines a light on the offensive additions that have reshaped the unit this season, turning early inconsistencies into late-season momentum. From high-profile free agent signings to under-the-radar draft picks and in-season call-ups, these additions were targeted to address specific needs: protecting quarterback Daniel Jones, expanding the passing attack, and supporting running back Jonathan Taylor. Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts breaks down each key addition, their contributions on the field, and how they’ve integrated into the Colts’ offensive scheme. For the Colts, these additions aren’t just roster filler—they’re the missing pieces that have made the offense more balanced, resilient, and capable of competing in tight games.

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts starts with the team’s most impactful free agent signing: left guard Dalton Risner, who joined the Colts in March after spending five seasons with the Denver Broncos. The notebook emphasizes Risner’s role in stabilizing the offensive line, a unit that struggled with pass protection early in 2024. Through 14 games, Risner has posted a 91% pass-blocking efficiency rating (the highest among Colts offensive linemen) and has allowed just 2 sacks—far below the league average of 4.5 for starting guards. Coaches in the notebook praise his football IQ, noting that he “adjusts blocking assignments on the fly” to counter defensive stunts, a skill that has helped Jones stay upright during long passing downs. Risner’s run-blocking has also been critical: he’s paved the way for Taylor to rush for 87 yards on plays where Risner is the lead blocker, including a 22-yard touchdown run in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. “Dalton was exactly what we needed—someone who could step in and be a day-one starter,” offensive line coach Chris Strausser wrote in the notebook. “He’s a leader in the huddle and a technician on the field.”

A standout draft addition highlighted in Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts is fourth-round wide receiver Josh Downs, a 5’10”, 175-pound playmaker out of North Carolina. The notebook tracks Downs’ rapid rise from a depth piece to a key contributor in the Colts’ passing game, particularly in the slot. Through 15 games, Downs has caught 48 passes for 562 yards and 3 touchdowns, with a team-high 72tch rate. Coaches note his ability to create separation with quick cuts and his reliability on third downs—he’s converted 12 third-down catches into first downs, second-most on the team. The notebook also highlights a breakout performance in Week 14 against the Houston Texans, where Downs caught 8 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, including a 15-yard grab on fourth-and-10 to extend a game-winning drive. “Josh has exceeded every expectation,” wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne wrote. “He’s not the biggest or fastest, but he’s smart, tough, and always finds a way to get open. He’s become a security blanket for Daniel [Jones] when we need a play.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts also features an in-season addition that flew under the radar: backup running back Deon Jackson, who was signed off the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in October after Taylor missed two games with an ankle injury. The notebook details Jackson’s versatility, as he’s proven capable of both rushing (4.2 yards per carry) and receiving (18 catches for 145 yards) out of the backfield. His most valuable contribution, per the notebook, has been his pass protection—he’s allowed zero pressures on 32 blocking snaps, a skill that has let the Colts keep Taylor fresh on third downs. For the Indianapolis Colts, Jackson has been more than just a fill-in; he’s become a rotational piece that keeps defenses guessing. “Deon gives us a different look than Jonathan [Taylor]—he’s quicker, more elusive in space, and he can block,” running backs coach Scottie Montgomery noted. “Having both of them on the field together opens up so many playcalling options. He’s been a quiet but critical addition.” Jackson’s impact was on full display in Week 10, where he rushed for 62 yards and caught 3 passes for 28 yards in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

Another key offensive addition highlighted in Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts is tight end Pharaoh Brown, a veteran signed in March to complement starter Kylen Granson. The notebook focuses on Brown’s role as a “blocking-first” tight end who has strengthened the Colts’ run game and provided extra protection in pass situations. Brown has played 68% of his snaps as a blocker, helping the Colts improve their rushing average from 3.8 yards per carry in 2024 to 4.5 yards per carry this season. He’s also chipped in as a receiver, catching 12 passes for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns—including a 30-yard touchdown in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he outmuscled a linebacker for the ball. For the Indianapolis Colts, Brown’s addition has addressed a longstanding need: a tight end who can excel in both blocking and receiving. “Pharaoh is a throwback tight end—he’s not afraid to get in the trenches and block, but he can also make plays downfield,” tight ends coach Jim Dray wrote. “He’s made our offense more physical, and that’s translated to more success on the ground.”

Looking ahead, Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts outlines how these additions will shape the offense in the playoffs and beyond. The notebook includes notes from offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who writes that the additions have “made our offense more adaptable—we can run, pass, or do both, depending on what the defense gives us.” For the playoffs, Cooter plans to lean into the depth provided by Jackson and Downs, using their versatility to keep opponents off-balance. Long-term, the notebook suggests the Colts will prioritize re-signing Risner and Brown, as both have become integral to the offensive scheme. For the Indianapolis Colts, the success of these additions has also validated their approach to roster building: targeting players who fit the scheme and culture, not just those with flashy stats. “Every addition we made was with a purpose,” general manager Chris Ballard wrote in the notebook’s final section. “We didn’t just sign players—we signed pieces that would make our offense better as a whole. So far, that plan has worked.”

Notebook Highlights Offensive Additions for the Indianapolis Colts is ultimately a story of intentional roster building—of a team that identified its weaknesses and targeted additions to fix them. From Risner’s stability on the line to Downs’ playmaking in the slot, from Jackson’s versatility to Brown’s physicality, each addition has filled a specific gap and made the offense stronger. The notebook isn’t just a recap of signings; it’s a blueprint for how the Colts plan to keep their offense competitive for years to come. For fans, it offers insight into the team’s strategy and confidence that the offense has the depth and talent to make a playoff run. As the Colts head into the final stretch, these offensive additions stand as proof that smart, purposeful roster moves can turn a good offense into a great one.