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In this series on Stampede Blue, I’m going to break down each player on a 50-100 Madden-style scale each week to help identify and illustrate which players are the best and most valuable players on the team. Please take note that these are current values and don’t think into account the value or future potential (or regression) of a player. Here is a breakdown of the tiers:
Tiers
95 to 100 — One of the 3, 4 best players at his position in the NFL
90 to 94 — An elite, top 10 NFL player at his position in the NFL
85 to 89 — A borderline elite player who will make plenty of plays in each game
80 to 84 — An above average starter
75 to 79 — An average starter who won’t hurt you
70 to 74 — An average starter who should only be used in small spurts
65 to 69 — A below average starter and above average backup
60 to 64 — An average backup
60 or below — A borderline roster player
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers — 79 (-4)
Jacoby Brissett — 76
Jacob Eason — 68
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor — 77
Nyheim Hines — 74
Jordan Wilkins — 72
Marlon Mack — 79 (Injured Reserve)
Wide Receivers
T.Y. Hilton — 82
Zach Pascal — 76
Marcus Johnson — 69 (+2)
Ashton Dulin — 66 (+2)
Daurice Fountain — 64 (-1)
Dezmon Patmon — 61
Parris Campbell — 77 (Injured Reserve)
Michael Pittman — 75 (Injured Reserve)
Tight Ends
Jack Doyle — 77 (-2)
Mo Alie-Cox — 76
Trey Burton — 72 (+1)
Noah Togiai — 60
Offensive Line
Quenton Nelson — 96
Anthony Castonzo — 85
Ryan Kelly — 82 (+2)
Braden Smith — 79 (+1)
Mark Glowinski — 79 (+1)
Le’Raven Clark — 65 (-3)
Danny Pinter — 65
Chaz Green — 62
Defensive Line
DeForest Buckner — 94
Justin Houston — 83 (+3)
Denico Autry — 80 (-1)
Grover Stewart — 76 (+2)
Al-Quadin Muhammed — 74
Tyquan Lewis — 71
Ben Banogu — 67
Taylor Stallworth — 66
Eli Ankou — 61
Ron’Dell Carter — 60
Kemoko Turay — 76 (Injured Reserve)
Sheldon Day — 72 (Injured Reserve)
Linebackers
Darius Leonard — 93
Anthony Walker — 81 (+3)
Bobby Okereke — 75
Zaire Franklin — 70 (+2)
E.J. Speed — 66
Jordan Glasgow — 63
Matthew Adams — 64 (Injured Reserve)
Secondary
Kenny Moore III — 83 (-1)
Rock Ya-Sin — 75
Xavier Rhodes — 75 (+1)
Julian Blackmon — 71
Khari Willis — 70
TJ Carrie — 70
George Odum — 68
Tavon Wilson — 66
Ibraheim Campbell — 64
Isaiah Rodgers — 63
Tremon Smith — 62
Malik Hooker — 70 (Injured Reserve)
Special Teams
Rigoberto Sanchez — 81
Luke Rhodes — 78
Rodrigo Blankenship — 74 (+1)
Biggest Climbers
Anthony Walker Jr
Walker is playing his best football in his contract year. He had another great game with 7 tackles and allowed only 2 catches (out of 7 targets) in coverage. He also had a great interception. His play was also key in stopping the Browns’ rushing attack. He continues to play great football and his play has given the Colts another above average player in the Colts’ front 7.
Justin Houston
Justin Houston has been a beast this year and gets stronger every game. He has 4 sacks on the season and generates a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Like Walker, he is also in a contract year and his play this year will make it hard for the Colts to turn their back on him.
Biggest Droppers
Philip Rivers
Rivers had, without a doubt, his worst game as a Colt and made last week’s performance look great. His arm looked weak, his decisions were poor and he cost the Colts the game. It’s clear the Colts can’t rely on him to carry them in big games, which might hinder them moving forward. A big bounce-back game against the Bengals is needed from him.
Le’Raven Clark
Clark got abused by Myles Garrett and the Browns defensive line and proved he is nothing more than an NFL backup (at best). He struggled mightily and the Colts really missed having Anthony Castonzo. Clark playing might’ve been a blessing in disguise as it showed the Colts they need better depth and a long-term answer at left tackle (which should be addressed in the draft).