As we get closer to the regular season, the depth chart is starting to round into place. Who will get starting nods on the offensive side of the ball?
The starters are the most important players on an NFL roster. That much is obvious. What might not be as obvious is how hard some of those decisions are to make. Who should start where? Who gives us the best chance to win? Those are questions the Colts are looking to answer
Quarterback:
This one should be fairly obvious. Andrew Luck is the unquestioned starting quarterback of this football team. The only question is his health. He has gotten banged around a lot in his career, and has in the preseason as well. But as long as he’s behind center, he gives the Colts a chance to win every game.
Running Back:
Again, this one seems obvious as well. The Colts let Frank Gore go to Miami, so Marlon Mack is now the top dog in the back field. Robert Turbin will back him up once he’s back from suspension, and Christine Michael and Jordan Wilkins will be the backups until then.
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Wide Receiver:
There are still questions at the receiver position behind T.Y. Hilton. Ryan Grant will probably be the number two guy, but who is in the slot? Chester Rogers seems to be the answer, but it isn’t clear. He has yet to show consistency in his career. Everyone behind him is even less proven. K.J. Brent might get some look at slot, if he makes the roster. The depth at this position is still a big question mark.
Tight End:
Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron will be the starters here no doubt, but the third tight end is a question mark. It could go to Erik Swoope, Ross Travis, or Darrell Daniels. I expect it will be Swoope, as he has shown some flashes in the past and had a decent preseason.
Offensive Line:
This is the toughest to project on the offensive side of the ball, at least at one position. Anthony Castonzo, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Matt Slauson are all locked in as starters. But right tackle might be the biggest question mark on this entire team. Could it be Joe Haeg? Denzelle Good? Deyshawn Bond? Rookie Braden Smith?
It’s anyone’s guess since none of them played particularly well in the preseason. I would say it would be Good, but he is week-to-week with a knee injury. Joe Haeg seems like the best bet, at least early since he has starting experience. But that position could be a revolving door this season.
We will find out more soon about who the locked in starters are after tomorrow night once they start prepping for week one.