Fact or Fiction for Indianapolis Colts' Biggest Offseason Question Marks

Offseason prognostication is always a dangerous game.

There are so many unknown factors in the NFL, things that we'll never be able to see from the outside, that even knowing most of the applicable information on any given team or player is near-impossible. Even if you have all that information, injuries and the status of other teams or players can dramatically change a game or season's outcome in a flash.

But it's at this point in the offseason, with all of the minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs) complete, that we have the most information (prior to training camp, that is). For the Indianapolis Colts, we know the basic makeup of the roster, we've seen how many of the players fit into the locker room and have a few hints of how free agents and rookies will fit in on the field.

While the team has taken some big steps with notable free-agent signings and eight rookie draft picks this offseason, questions remain. Which of these questions are valid, and which can be honestly dismissed after an active offseason?

The Colts Don't Have Enough Snaps to Go Around

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Poor Donte Moncrief.

That was the sentiment after the Colts drafted wide receiver Phillip Dorsett out of the University of Miami in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. After signing Andre Johnson and CFL standout Duron Carter in the offseason, Moncrief was already poised to have increased competition in 2015.

Adding Dorsett, a perfect slot receiver type with an incredibly high ceiling, just raised the level of competition in the wide receiver room even higher.

This incredible depth at the position is great, on one level. That kind of depth means you can get any number of matchups in a given game, as well as keep guys like Andre Johnson relatively fresh throughout the season.

But on the other hand, it also means guys like Moncrief, Carter and even Dorsett will have fewer chances to develop, being forced to split time with a plethora of young, fast receivers.

Verdict: Fiction

The only one that this is really a problem for is Donte Moncrief. Carter, after all, was a no-consequence signing from the CFL whose expectations are relatively low. Dorsett should get plenty of snaps for a rookie this season as the third or fourth receiver.

While Moncrief does need to see the field to continue to develop on a promising rookie season, it's important to remember that he's still just 21 years old. Moncrief has plenty of time left to develop, and he's really Andre Johnson's eventual replacement anyway. There doesn't need to be a rush in his development.

In fact, it may benefit the Colts more if he develops at a slower pace, allowing them to potentially keep him at a discounted rate when his second contract comes up after Johnson is gone.

The Colts Still Can't Stop the Run

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Did the Colts do enough on defense to prevent a replication of the past two playoff exits?

That was the burning question after free agency and the draft, when the Colts' biggest acquisitions came on the offensive side of the ball with Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett coming into the fold.

Even some Colts players may have been miffed over the Dorsett pick, per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

It's a valid concern in some regards.

The Colts didn't do anything to upgrade at inside linebacker, which is where much of the defensive issues against the New England Patriots have come. The defensive line, which has been adequate but not much of an asset, lost Cory Redding and Ricky Jean Francois while adding Kendall Langford and a pair of rookies out of Stanford. Call that a wash, at best.

No, the Colts' biggest hope for improving against the run is development. Can Arthur Jones return to the near Pro Bowl-level form that he reached in 2013? Can Zach Kerr, Montori Hughes and Josh Chapman take steps forward in anchoring the middle? Can rookie Henry Anderson provide enough penetration to earn more playing time and significantly disrupt NFL offenses?

Verdict: Fact (With a Caveat)

On some level, stopping the run should still be a concern, simply because of the lack of moves made to improve it (on an immediate level) during the offseason.

But it should be noted that run defense wasn't a huge Achilles' heel for the Colts in 2014, at least not consistently.

The Colts were 19th against the run in Football Outsiders' DVOA last season—not good, but not the end of the world either. The team did have a few horrific showings, notably against the Patriots. However, this seemed to be more of a coaching and schematic issue, and was also affected by the injuries plaguing key players like Jones.

Yes, stopping the run is still an issue and will be something to keep an eye on. But anybody expecting the team to suddenly be a bottom-five run defense wasn't paying attention last season.

The Colts Have Pass-Rush Issues

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Overall, the Indianapolis Colts defensive coaches, led by defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, did a terrific job last season.

Despite having a very thin group of pass-rushers, with noted run-stuffer Erik Walden, second-year disappointment Bjoern Werner and fifth-round rookie Jonathan Newsome as the main edge-rushers, the Colts managed to pick up 41 sacks last season, tied for ninth in the league.

But as I noted a few weeks ago, the Colts' pass rush has struggled against playoff-caliber teams, which is the single-biggest defensive factor in such matchups:

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In the team's five losses to playoff teams—against Denver (regular season), New England (twice), Dallas and Pittsburgh—the Colts managed just three total sacks.

Since 2012, the Colts have not won a single game against playoff teams when they have just one or fewer sacks, going 9-11 overall. With multiple sacks, the Colts are 27-7 overall (third-best win percentage in the league) and 12-3 against playoff teams (fourth-best).

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The Colts did make some moves to improve the pass rush this offseason, adding Trent Cole on the edge and Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson inside, and the team should get Robert Mathis back at some point as well.

But is it enough?

Verdict: Fact

While Cole and the other additions, including Mathis, should help, the overall level of pass-rushing talent is still lacking. For example, Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report recently ranked the Colts dead least in pass-rushing duos. While including Werner in that duo over Cole or Jonathan Newsome makes little sense at this point, it's indicative of the Colts' reputation nationally.

Depth is great, but if you don't have a dominant individual or two in pass rush, struggles will come. Right now, the Colts' best chance of getting individual greatness lies on Cole or Mathis turning back the clock at age 32 and 34, respectively, or Newsome taking a big leap forward. 

Sure, those are possibilities, but as of right now, pass rush should still be the biggest defensive concern.

Key Players Are Too Old for the Colts

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Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Trent Cole.

Flashy signings by Indianapolis, but these names are well past their primes. Sure, the Colts added talent, but is it worth it by adding even more age to a roster that was one of the oldest in the league in 2014?

That was the sentiment by some, including CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, after an otherwise refreshingly positive offseason for Indianapolis:

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Getting older is never something you want to do as a team. Yet we had the Colts signing Frank Gore, who turns 32 in May, to a contract and they are in pursuit of receiver Andre Johnson. The Colts got rid of Reggie Wayne because he couldn't run and Johnson has slowed down in a big way as well. Why not get younger players to grow with Andrew Luck? ... I know Chuck Pagano and Pep Hamilton want to run the ball more, and Gore is a tough inside runner, but the move to sign Gore isn't one that I would have made.

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The Colts added six players in free agency that will likely start in 2014: Gore, Johnson, Cole, Todd Herremans, Kendall Langford and Dwight Lowery. Langford and Lowery are the youngest at 29, Johnson leads the way at 33 (soon to be 34) and the other three clock in at 32.

Are the Colts adequately preparing for the future, or is this "all-in" approach going to waste Andrew Luck's prime years?

Verdict: Fiction

Yes, the age of some of the Colts' key players is something to watch for in 2015, but only because of injury reasons.

Long term, the Colts are taking care of themselves. All of the players listed above have short-term, non-crippling contracts, and the Colts have replacement strategies in place for each.

Johnson has a very deep group of promising receivers behind him. Gore is backed up by slippery sixth-round rookie Josh Robinson and capable backup Dan Herron. Jonathan Newsome is poised to be a long-term pass-rushing piece after Cole and Mathis are gone, while another piece will likely need to be added if Bjoern Werner continues to disappoint. Henry Anderson is Langford's heir at the 5-tech position, while Clayton Geathers should take over for Lowery at some point.

No, the age isn't ideal for Indianapolis. But these veterans were all brought in intentionally, bringing experience to young position groups (running back, wide receiver, offensive line) as well as short-term bursts of talent while the front office searches for long-term talent (defensive line, safety).

The Offensive Line Is Still a Problem

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The Colts' single biggest weakness on offense is glaring, at least on paper.

With the skill positions filled out following an active offseason, only the offensive line remains as a clear weakness.

Sure, the Colts were hit with a barrage of injuries in 2014, leading to one of the league's most unreliable lineups in terms of consistency. The Colts ranked dead last in Football Outsiders' continuity rankings, using 10 different starters and 11 different lineups.

While better injury luck could help the Colts in 2015, the team still has plenty of questions on the line. It starts at right tackle, where Gosder Cherilus' health is still a complete mystery. If he can't play to start the season, the Colts will be forced to break up the high point from last year: the left-side pairing of Jack Mewhort and Anthony Castonzo.

If Mewhort moves to the right side, the left may come down to a battle between Lance Louis and Hugh Thornton, which is not appealing in any shape or form. Center is still a battle as well, as Khaled Holmes and Jonotthan Harrison will compete in training camp for the spot.

Verdict: Fact

The addition of Todd Herremans would have been a bigger deal five years ago, but today, his age is affecting his play rather quickly. He should be a bit more reliable than the alternatives at left guard, but the Colts' uncertainty at the other positions, sans left tackle, makes for the most concerning aspect of the 2015 Colts.

Can Mewhort slide to tackle effectively? Can Hugh Thornton overcome a history of injuries and inconsistency? Why isn't Joe Reitz getting a look at left guard? Can one of the two centers separate himself and become a decent starting option? Will Anthony Castonzo regress with a lesser player next to him at left guard?

There are so many unknowns on the line right now—with little reason for optimism—that the offensive line has to be a concern heading into training camp. The best thing the Colts can do now is find a starting line and stick to it, attempting to build some kind of chemistry with the unit that was hard to find last season.