5 Colts players to watch vs. the Dolphins in Week 1

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The Miami Dolphins will hit the road against the Indianapolis Colts to open their 2025 season Sunday. There are several Colts players of intrigue on both sides of the ball who could give the Dolphins trouble.

The Colts had a quarterback competition this training camp that was won by Daniel Jones, who earned the Week 1 start. Here are five other Colts to watch in this Week 1 matchup:

The Colts' star running back will be a vital part of their game plan on Sunday. As head coach Shane Steichen said earlier in the week, "How he goes is how we go, too, as an offense."

Since entering the league in 2020, Taylor has hit at least 100 rushing yards in 24 games, which is second in the NFL behind only Derrick Henry. The Dolphins' defense has not given up a 100-plus yard rushing performance to a running back in 33 games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Taylor averaged 102.3 rushing yards per game last season. He finished the season on a heater with four straight 100-plus yards performances, averaging 156.8 in that span with six touchdowns on the ground.

Taylor missed last season's matchup against the Dolphins, and he will look to best a Miami defense on Sunday whose strength is clearly the defensive line and front seven.

The No. 14 overall pick earlier this year had a stat-stuffing senior season at Penn State, hauling in 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 26 rushes for 218 yards, an 8.4 per carry average, and scored four times on the ground. He even added a passing touchdown to his ledger.

The Dolphins have had trouble against skilled tight ends in recent years, and gave up the eighth most receptions against that position last season. Newly re-acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to the Dolphins following a summer trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and could be the main man tasked with slowing Warren down.

The Colts signed former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard just a few weeks ago, but he's already listed as a starter on their depth chart. Indianapolis has a new defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo, who previously coached Howard as a defensive backs coach in Miami during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Howard may end up in a must-watch matchup with Tyreek Hill. At his peak, Howard was one of the league's best cover corners and made four Pro Bowls while with Miami. In 2020, Howard led the NFL in interceptions with 10 and passes defended with 20 to earn First Team All-Pro honors.

Second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu could pose a problem for the Dolphins. With the ability to play on either end, he could line up facing fellow 2024 draftee Patrick Paul often Sunday.

Latu recorded four sacks as a rookie last season and tallied 12 quarterback hits on his way to a 72.1 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. He added three forced fumbles, which was tied for ninth most in the NFL.

He also recorded 38 quarterback pressures, so the focus will be on the Miami offensive line and blocking tight end Julian Hill to slow down the former UCLA star.

The Colts have a viable slot weapon in third-year receiver Josh Downs, who had the eighth-most snaps in the NFL at that spot last season. Downs improved in all major receiving stats from his rookie year and finished 2024 with 72 receptions, 803 yards, and five touchdowns.

The Dolphins have a formidable pass rush with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Matt Judon, so Daniel Jones could be looking to get the ball out quickly early and often. That makes Downs a candidate to lead the Colts in targets Sunday.

Miami defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has been noncommittal about who will have the nickel cornerback role Sunday. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and rookie Jason Marshall Jr. could all be asked to slow down Downs.