Introduction
Daniel Jones entered the NFL as the sixth overall pick in 2019. His career with the Giants was underwhelming, with just one postseason appearance in five starting seasons, a career average of 189.5 passing yards per game, and a 1.35 TD-to-INT ratio. By last season, New York had seen enough and released him.
This off-season, the Colts made a bold decision to give Jones a chance to revive his career. It was a risky move because if the Colts miss the playoffs, both the GM and HC could be out the door. Jones beat out former 4th overall pick Anthony Richardson in camp, and now, three weeks into the season, Indianapolis is 3-0, and Jones ranks 3rd in EPA per drop-back and 1st in DVOA.
Stats only tell part of the story. The All-22 shows whether Jones is truly playing at a high level or simply benefiting from a strong system.
First Quarter
Quarter Overview
The Colts’ offense opened with sharp pass protection, though the run game sputtered. Jones looked decisive and patient, working progressions, attacking coverage, and making accurate throws in rhythm.
Key Drop-backs
Every Drop Back is linked with the All-22
- Dropback 1→ Titans in Cover 6. First read is Taylor on a wheel, covered. Second read Warren on a whip, Jones throws it slightly low, but it’s still catchable. Warren drops it. If Jones progresses all the way to his 4th read, the slot post is open for 10–15 yards. He reads it correctly to an open man, but execution and progression leave more out there.
- Dropback 2 → Titans mix zone to one side and man to the other. Colts scheme the answer with Warren on a hitch to draw the LB and Safety; Pittman crosses behind into man coverage space. Jones trusts protection, waits patiently, and hits Pittman for 16 yards. Great patience and timing.
- Dropback 3 → Titans show blitz with six at the line plus a DB creeping. Jones expects heat, and the Colts build in a hot route. Titans bluff into simulated pressure, dropping linemen and sending the CB and LB. They rotate into Cover 2 behind it. Jones hits Downs on the hitch for 5 yards. Smart decision, but if he recognizes it’s a sim pressure and waits 1 more second, Pierce is open deep for 15+.
- Dropback 4 → Designed rollout left vs Cover 1. The first two reads are not open. Turns to Downs on a post backside. With pressure in his face, Jones delivers across his body, across the field, for a 35-yard strike. Outstanding toughness and accuracy under duress.
- Dropback 5 → Cover 2 look. Downs’ post drags the deep LB, Pittman trails into the soft spot behind. Jones reads it perfectly and throws on time through traffic for a red zone gain. Excellent anticipation.
- Dropback 6 → Cover 3, play-action. First read Pierce on a deep out, open but safety lurking. Jones puts it low to protect his WR, a bit too low, but Pierce makes a tough 17-yard catch. Good read and smart intent, though slightly better placement would make it an easier catch.
- Dropback 9 → Titans in Cover 2 with six on the line. Taylor stays in, protection should hold. AD Mitchell is open on a go, chance at a touchdown. Or Warren is open on a hitch. Jones doesn’t throw either, nearly sacked, but escapes for a 20-yard scramble. Great athletic recovery, but I’d rather see him get the ball out because the majority of the time, this will be a sack.
- Dropback 10 → LG beaten immediately. Jones senses it, slides to buy a split-second, and hits his checkdown to Taylor. It’s dropped. Excellent pocket feel to create the throw, but execution is undone by the drop.
Quarter Analysis
Pass protection was outstanding, while the run game was inconsistent. Jones showed patience, timing, and accuracy, capped by a big cross-field strike under pressure. His scrambling ability bailed out a few plays, but he also missed some bigger chances. A strong, balanced opening frame.
Second Quarter
Quarter Overview
The Colts’ line continued to hold up, while the run game remained sluggish. Jones faced more third downs, showing both his limitations and his ability to work progressions. Accuracy was the main issue this quarter.
Key Dropbacks
- Dropback 14 → 3rd down vs Cover 2. First read Warren on a corner, covered. Second read AD Mitchell on a hitch, slightly covered, but Jones throws it; the throw is high and to the wrong shoulder, bad placement turns into an incompletion. If he works further, Downs is wide open on a stop route for a first down. Decent read, poor accuracy.
- Dropback 15 → 3rd and long. First read Pierce on a go, wide open for a hole shot and potential TD. Jones turns it down, steps up under pressure, and throws late to Downs on a stop route. Broken up. Big miss, Jones has to take the vertical shot.
- Dropback 17→ Titans are in Cover 2 zone. Warren’s stop holds the LB, Pittman on a slant behind it. Jones reads it well and hits Pittman cleanly for a first. Great recognition.
Quarter Analysis
Pass protection continued to shine, though the run game remained quiet. Jones worked progressions effectively but was undone by inaccuracy on Dropback 14 and a missed deep shot on Dropback 15. Still, he kept the offense functional and made timely throws.
Third Quarter
Quarter Overview
Protection began to slip slightly, but remained solid. The run game came alive, capped by a long Taylor touchdown. Jones mixed patience with a few deep shots, showing confidence and trust in his playmakers.
Key Dropbacks
- Dropback 20 → Cover 3 with CB blitz. The Colts run play-action with rollout opposite the blitz. First read Pittman on a corner, covered. Second read Pierce on a crosser, initially blanketed. Jones waits patiently for the lane and rips it for a first down. Excellent patience and throw.
- Dropback 22 → Cover 2. Warren’s hitch draws the LB, Pittman runs a slant behind, and settles in the soft spot. Jones times it perfectly for a touchdown. Clean read and execution.
- Dropback 24 → Cover 2. Jones first looks at Allie-Cox on a deep out to hold the safety, then turns to Pierce on a post. Throws a 50-yard bomb, dropped after a huge hit. Placement could have led him for an easier TD, but still a strong process and throw.
Quarter Analysis
Jones continued to thrive behind steady protection. He worked patiently through rollouts, executed red zone concepts, and nearly connected on a 50-yard strike. The run game’s resurgence gave him balance, while his poise kept the Colts in control.
Fourth Quarter
Quarter Overview & Analysis
The game script shifted as Indianapolis leaned heavily on the run to close out the win. Jones had minimal passing opportunities and wasn’t asked to do much beyond short completions. Not much to evaluate from this frame. The Colts controlled the game on the ground. Jones’ earlier work set the tone, allowing the offense to shift gears late.
Technical Takeaways
- Processing
Jones worked cleanly through progressions, consistently finding second and third reads. Occasionally turned down aggressive shots, but mostly decisive. - Accuracy
Showed good anticipation, especially on timing routes, but missed placement hurt on Dropback 14 and the deep ball on Dropback 24. - Pocket Presence
Moved well within structure, slid away from pressure effectively, and used legs to extend plays, highlighted by Dropback 9.
Final Thoughts
Daniel Jones’ Colts debut was far from perfect, but it was undeniably effective. He played with patience, trusted his protection, and hit open windows with timing. Mistakes such as turning down a TD shot and misplacing throws were present, but his composure and decision-making outweighed them.
At 3-0, Jones is playing like a quarterback with something to prove. Whether this is a career revival or just a hot stretch remains to be seen, but his tape looks good. Jones rarely had to create outside of structure because every play had a built-in answer, but it was still impressive how often he found the right one. Even if his success is tied to a well-designed system, Colts fans should be happy either way because this offense looks elite.
If you liked this I will be posting a All-22 review every week this season!
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