Jaguars vs. Colts: 5 Players to Watch

It’s always paramount to start the year off with a win. 

It’s even more important when that Week 1 game is against a division rival. Sunday, the Jaguars kick off their regular season against the Indianapolis Colts, a team that will be starting the young, yet dangerous, Anthony Richardson at quarterback.

The defense will need to stay disciplined, but opportunities will arise for the defense to make plays as rookies tend to be prone to, well, rookie mistakes. Keep Richardson contained and the defense should be just fine. The offense on the other hand should see chances at big plays, especially in the passing game as the Jaguars’ receivers should fare well against the Colts' secondary.

Here are my five players to watch as the Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

Calvin Ridley

Fans will finally get to see four quarters of Calvin Ridley in flesh and blood Sunday. He’ll face an unproven Colts secondary led by Kenny Moore II. There will certainly be an opportunity for some big plays and a huge day from Ridley. It looks to be a great start for the Lawrence, Ridley duo in their first real NFL game together.

In Ridley’s last full NFL season, he was among the NFL’s best, reeling in 90 balls for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. With more growth from Trevor Lawrence and another year in the system, I think Lawrence could approach 4,500 yards passing, and Ridley could yet again see more than 100 targets and 1300 yards come his way

Anton Harrison

In Week 1, fans want two things: a win and to see their new players making plays. Anton Harrison had a fantastic preseason, showing off why the Jaguars drafted him so highly. In the two games in which he played, Harrison allowed just one pressure on 23 pass-blocking attempts. Not bad for a rookie’s first action in the NFL.

Sunday, Anton will face his first real NFL test. I’m confident the rookie is up for it and shows out against the Colts’ pass rushers. Harrison is as athletic as it gets and will have Pro Bowl guard Brandon Scherff next to him to help him out if the rookie needs it.

Jeremiah Ledbetter

On a defensive line plagued by injuries, it will be Jeremiah Ledbetter and Adam Gotsis who will see a significant amount of snaps in place of DaVon Hamilton. Gotsis has been a staple of the Jaguars’ roster for years, however, Ledbetter has shown off and shown out during training camp and the preseason. He graded as PFF’s highest-graded run defender in the league and the Jaguars’ best player during preseason.

The Jaguars will need that type of play to continue for them as Hamilton is set to miss at least four games to start the year. With a quarterback like Richardson, interior pressure could create turnovers and rushed throws from the rookie. Ledbetter is a guy I’ll certainly be looking for to make plays Sunday.

Devin Lloyd

Devin Lloyd had about as up and down of a year in 2022 as you can get. Lloyd started out red hot and then struggled, eventually getting replaced as starter by fellow 2022 draftee Chad Muma. Lloyd looks to secure that starting spot for himself this year and it starts against one of the league’s most dangerous rushing threats, Anthony Richardson.

Sunday, sound tackling will be crucial as Richardson’s big frame and twitchiness could cause problems for teams in his rookie year while his passing game develops. Lloyd is certainly talented enough to be the Jaguars best linebacker someday. This game could be a great start to a great season for the Jaguars’ young linebacker.

Andre Cisco

I’ve mentioned the opportunity for mistakes and turnovers a few times in this article. Well, this is where that comes into play. Andre Cisco is a one-of-a-kind playmaker and a ball magnet at free safety for the Jaguars. Cisco led college football twice in interceptions and played some great ball for Jacksonville last year. I think he takes a huge step in 2023 and it starts Week 1.

Expect the third-year safety out of Syracuse to be all around the ball and a chance at an interception or two. He seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to turnovers. In 2022, Cisco caught three interceptions with four passes defensed and allowed just 161 yards in coverage all year.