See how the NFL’s blockbuster Tuesday affects the Indianapolis Colts and, more specifically, its main starting cornerback.
Jaylon Jones has been a pleasant surprise for the Colts since entering the league just a season ago. The former seventh-round draft selection was quickly elevated to a starting role after a slew of injuries and poor performances provided him an opportunity and he’s only improved with each increased workload that’s been thrown his way.
Nowadays, Jones is Indy’s CB1 after a similar start to the 2024 season (JuJu Brents going down with a significant injury). He’s been a reliable defender through six starts, totaling 39 tackles (5 less than he had all of last season) and has a 70.5 passer rating against (compared to his 99.8 passer rating as a rookie) per Pro Football Reference.
Jones was named the AFC’s defensive player of the week for his two-interception performance against the Bears in Week 3. His two INTs on the season are currently T-6th in the NFL while his 7 pass breakups are good for T-5th leaguewide.
Through six weeks, Jones has already seen his fair share of talented wideouts that he’s been responsible for. So far he’s been the primary defender for the following WR1s: Nico Collins (HOU), DJ Moore (CHI), George Pickens (PIT), Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX), and Deandre Hopkins (TEN).
It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows thus far, but Jones has certainly held his own throughout this stretch of matchups. Beginning this Sunday versus the Dolphins, however, is the second phase of Jones’ season, which will inevitably be a taller ask.
The Colts’ next five opponents are now littered with wide receiver talent after the NFL’s recent blockbuster trade-off on Tuesday. Three trades surrounding offensive talent came to fruition for three of Indy’s next five opponents, two of which featured a pair of the league’s best wideouts in Davante Adams (Jets) and Amari Cooper (Bills).
While the Adams and Cooper acquisitions affect Jones’ plate directly, the three remaining teams that the Colts will face in the next five weeks (Dolphins, Texans, & Vikings) already had superstardom to deploy at the position. After all this movement, Jones is now slated to matchup against the following wide receivers over the next five games: Tyreek Hill (MIA), Stefon Diggs (HOU), Justin Jefferson (MIN), Amari Cooper (BUF), and Davante Adams (NYJ).
It will be quite the test for Jaylon Jones moving forward, perhaps a baptism by fire of sorts. One thing that can’t be denied with Jones is that he invites the challenge. He has not allowed a touchdown through the air this season, and while it may feel like an inevitable reality check is coming, the Colts’ defensive staff has immense confidence that he’ll continue to hold his own.