Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard stated many times this offseason that he wanted to get younger and more athletic on defense. He should have also added the most obvious: He wants to make the team better, too. He might have done so by drafting linebacker Bryce Boettcher.
The Oregon product's addition could mean bad things for ascending third-year pro Jaylon Carlies, though. While Indy chose CJ Allen with their first pick, which came in the second round, the Georgia player is likely penciled in as a starter. Boettcher is probably a backup to begin with.
That means he is affecting the depth overall as Allen and, likely, free agent signee Akeem Davis-Gaither start. Austin Ajiake will probably be the key backup besides Boettcher. Would keeping at least five off-ball linebackers make sense? Maybe not.
Indianapolis Colts choosing Bryce Boettcher could push Jaylon Carlies out the door
If that is true, Carlies might need to go. What really hurts Carlies' chances of making the roster, despite the team taking Boettcher, is that the fifth-round pick in 2024 has not sold the team on the fact that he can stay healthy. He's been hurt for two straight seasons.
As a rookie, he broke his fibula and missed time. Last offseason, he underwent shoulder surgery. Last preseason, he hurt his ankle and missed most of the season. That doesn't exactly speak volumes about Indianapolis being able to count on Carlies playing every week.
In 2025, Carlies played two total snaps on defense. He didn't produce any statistics. He did play 25 reps on special teams and had a tackle, but he's done nothing in the third phase of the game to imply he could be a standout there.
Meanwhile, Boettcher, a 6'1 1/8" and 230-pound linebacker, stayed healthy in college. In fact, he was so healthy that he was able to play baseball at Oregon, too. A former centerfielder, he obviously has enough athleticism to play in the NFL, and the only question about getting more reps is his size.
He doesn't have the ideal height and weight for an inside linebacker. Boettcher could likely gain a bit more muscle mass, however.
The inside linebacker also doesn't play with any fear. Whatever a team needs him to do, he will do so to the utmost of his ability and do so with great energy. He's going to earn some defensive reps, most likely, but he could be fantastic on special teams. He has the perfect mentality for that.
Maybe the Indianapolis Colts do keep five inside linebackers, but that doesn't make much sense, as the team could keep a roster spot open for an edge rusher or defensive lineman. If only four off-ball LBs stay on the 53-man roster ahead of Week 1, Jaylon Carlies could be the odd man out.
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