When ESPN set out to find the league’s elite, surveying over 70 executives, coaches, and scouts for their top 10 players at 11 different positions, three names from the Colts roster popped up. And honestly, one of those rankings, especially for Sauce Gardner, is sparking some serious debate given what some folks around the league are saying.
Sauce Gardner’s Polarizing Presence
Coming in at No. 9 among cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner is still out here collecting “elite” status, but man, is he a polarizing figure. The dude’s a star, paid like one, and cost the Colts two first-round picks when they traded for him midseason from the New York Jets. He’s a Pro Football Focus favorite, rocking that rare length for the position and consistently breaking up passes. His nine pass breakups on 293 coverage snaps last season, a 3.1% rate, actually led the league percentage-wise. That’s serious business.
But here’s where it gets wild. NFL offensive coaches aren’t holding back. One straight up said, “Sauce lost the sauce.” Ouch, right? He’s got a poor turnover record, with only three interceptions in four NFL seasons. Plus, evaluators are pointing to missed tackles and too many holding calls. He might have the confidence to overshadow his weaknesses, playing press and Cover 2, but apparently, he’s not always tackling, not always cracking replace, and sometimes misses his assignments in zone. Coaches are banking on a full season with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, a defensive backs coach by trade, to iron out his consistency.
Taylor and Warren: Top 5 Talent
While Sauce has people talking, Jonathan Taylor’s spot at No. 5 among running backs is a no-brainer for most. The guy’s been consistently stellar, even with shaky quarterback play around him. He appeared on almost every ballot, with nearly 30% of his votes landing him in the top three. Since 2020, Taylor has 69 career rushing touchdowns, only trailing Derrick Henry’s 84. “Really special in space,” an NFL coordinator raved, noting how uniquely talented Taylor is once he hits the second and third levels. He proved it in 2025, ripping off four rushes of 40 or more yards, second only to Jahmyr Gibbs. Daniel Jones’s presence even boosted his game, helping him catch a career-high 46 passes last season.
Then there’s Tyler Warren, the tight end who also snagged the No. 5 spot. Coming out of Penn State in 2025, he was a “can’t-miss prospect,” and he absolutely delivered. An NFC scout said he “lived up to expectations,” praising him as a true Y-tight end who can crush it in the run game but also bring that versatile, game-impacting receiving ability he flashed in college. His rookie year? 817 receiving yards, with 125 coming after first contact, which ranked third among all rookies. He chalked up 42 first downs and only dropped one pass on 111 targets. That’s insane production. An NFL personnel evaluator summed it up perfectly: “He can kick your ass in the run game on one play and win as a receiver on the next.”
So, heading into the season, the Colts know they’ve got some serious talent at key positions. With three players cracking ESPN’s elite list, the expectations for these guys, especially with some of the critiques flying around, are gonna be massive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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