Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts

In the high-octane world of NFL offenses, a team’s success often hinges on the quality of its pass catchers—wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs who can create separation, haul in difficult catches, and turn short gains into game-changing plays. For the Indianapolis Colts, this group has evolved from a reliable supporting cast into the team’s most dominant asset ahead of the 2025 season. After years of incremental roster building—through drafts, free agency, and player development—the Colts now boast a deep, versatile group of pass catchers that can exploit any defensive weakness. From established veterans to emerging young stars, each player brings a unique skill set that complements the others, creating a nightmare for opposing defenses. This depth and diversity have not only made the Colts’ passing game one of the league’s most dynamic but also eased the pressure on quarterback Anthony Richardson, giving him multiple reliable targets on every play. In a division where defenses are constantly adapting, Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts is a story of strategic roster construction paying off in a major way.

Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts is rooted in the team’s intentional focus on upgrading this group over the past three offseasons. The foundation was laid in 2023 when the Colts selected wide receiver Alec Pierce in the second round of the NFL Draft; Pierce, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound playmaker with elite speed, quickly established himself as a No. 1 receiver, recording 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2024. The Colts followed that up by signing veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen in 2024, adding a savvy, possession-style receiver who excels in short-yardage situations and red-zone targets—Thielen contributed 850 yards and 9 touchdowns last season, including a game-winning catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars. To round out the wide receiver corps, the Colts drafted speedster Tyler Scott in the third round of the 2025 Draft; Scott, who ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, adds a deep-threat element that forces defenses to stretch their coverage. At tight end, the Colts already had a star in Kylen Granson, who recorded 700 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024, and they strengthened the position further by signing backup tight end Foster Moreau, a reliable blocker and pass catcher who can spell Granson in long drives. Even the running backs contribute to the passing game: Jonathan Taylor, one of the league’s top rushers, also caught 45 passes for 350 yards last season, making him a dual-threat weapon. Together, this group forms a pass-catching unit that can attack defenses from every angle.

A closer look at the Colts’ pass catchers reveals why they’ve become such a dominant force: each player specializes in a different role, allowing offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter to design plays that exploit specific defensive matchups. Alec Pierce is the deep threat, using his speed to beat cornerbacks down the field and his size to win jump balls—his 40-yard touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 is a perfect example of his ability to change the game in an instant. Adam Thielen, meanwhile, is the “security blanket” for Richardson; he excels at running precise routes over the middle, finding soft spots in zone coverage, and making tough catches in traffic. His 12-yard catch on third-and-10 in the Colts’ playoff win over the Buffalo Bills last season kept a critical drive alive, leading to the game-winning touchdown. Tyler Scott, the rookie, adds a new dimension with his ability to motion across the formation and create mismatches with slower linebackers or smaller cornerbacks—his speed also opens up space for Pierce and Thielen by drawing attention from defensive backs. At tight end, Kylen Granson is a mismatch nightmare; he’s fast enough to beat linebackers in coverage and strong enough to block defensive ends, making him a key part of both the passing and running games. This specialization means the Colts can adjust their approach based on the defense they’re facing—whether it’s a blitz-heavy unit or a zone-focused secondary—and still find ways to move the ball through the air.

A key reason why Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts is the impact this group has had on quarterback Anthony Richardson’s development. The Indianapolis Colts drafted Richardson in 2023 with the hope that he would become their franchise quarterback, but young quarterbacks often struggle without reliable targets to throw to. That’s where the pass catchers have made a difference: Richardson’s completion percentage jumped from 60% in 2023 to 67% in 2024, and his interception rate dropped by nearly 50%, largely because he had multiple options to target in every situation. When defenses double-team Pierce, Richardson can look to Thielen over the middle; when linebackers drop back to cover Granson, he can hit Scott on a deep route. This flexibility has given Richardson the confidence to take calculated risks, knowing that his pass catchers can bail him out with spectacular plays. Coaches have also noted that the pass catchers’ work ethic has rubbed off on Richardson—players like Thielen and Granson often stay late after practice to run extra routes with him, helping him refine his timing and accuracy. For a young quarterback still learning the nuances of the NFL, having a supportive, talented group of pass catchers isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity, and the Colts’ group has been instrumental in Richardson’s growth into a legitimate Pro Bowl candidate.

Another critical aspect of Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts is the depth of this group, which allows the Colts to maintain their offensive potency even when key players are injured. The Indianapolis Colts learned this lesson the hard way in 2023, when Alec Pierce missed four games with a knee injury and the passing game struggled to find consistency. Since then, they’ve built a roster where every backup pass catcher is capable of stepping in and making an impact. When Adam Thielen missed two games with a hamstring injury in 2024, Tyler Scott stepped up, recording 180 yards and 2 touchdowns in those contests. When Kylen Granson was sidelined for a game, Foster Moreau filled in admirably, catching 5 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. Even the running backs contribute to this depth: backup running back Zack Moss caught 30 passes for 250 yards last season, providing another option in the passing game. This depth is particularly valuable in the NFL’s long, physical season, where injuries are inevitable. Unlike teams that rely on one or two star pass catchers, the Colts can weather injuries without seeing a significant drop-off in their passing game—a advantage that will be crucial in their pursuit of an AFC South title and a deep playoff run.

As the 2025 season approaches, the excitement around Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts continues to grow, with analysts predicting this group could be one of the best in franchise history. For the Indianapolis Colts, this group isn’t just a collection of talented players; it’s the engine that drives their offense, the reason their passing game ranks among the league’s elite, and the key to unlocking Anthony Richardson’s full potential. Whether it’s Pierce stretching the field, Thielen making clutch catches, Granson creating mismatches, or Scott adding speed, every pass catcher plays a vital role in the team’s success. This group has also become a fan favorite in Indianapolis, with fans wearing their jerseys to games and cheering loudly for every big catch. In a sport where teams often rise and fall based on their offensive firepower, the Colts’ pass catchers have given the team a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl. In the end, Pass Catchers Emerge as Biggest Strength for Indianapolis Colts is more than just a headline—it’s a testament to the team’s ability to build a dominant unit through smart drafting, shrewd free-agent signings, and patient player development, and it’s a sign of great things to come for the franchise.