The offseason workouts have officially begun, and the Colts will begin 11-on-11 next week. We are inching closer and closer to the start of the 2025 season. It goes without saying this is arguably the most important season for this franchise in quite some time. The season will be predicated on the success or failure of the quarterback position. The winner of the competition will be tasked with leading us back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. The roster building will not stop, but some are under more pressure than others. Let’s look at the players who are on the hot seat by position.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson
This is, without question, the biggest storyline of the offseason for this franchise. The impending camp(s) battle will be the most reported and watched of training camp. Richardson must show progress and improved health, or he and this entire staff could be finished. They put all their eggs in one basket when they drafted Richardson and hoped he would be the face of the franchise. He has not delivered, even though he has shown flashes of potential.
It’s been a predominant “two steps forward and three steps back” for most of his career. He has struggled to not only stay healthy, but has had issues just embracing everything that goes into being an NFL quarterback. It’s not surprising; he is still very young, but he must take a step forward this year. One of these quarterbacks must lead us to the playoffs, or the entire Colts staff will be looking for new work in 2026.
Running Back: Khalil Herbert
I know this might come as a surprise since I have written about how much I liked the acquisition in free agency. I still do, but with the Colts drafting Kansas State RB DJ Giddens, Herbert is back on the chopping block. The contract for Herbert is not a fully guaranteed deal, and a minimal dead cap hit if he was cut.
While no 5th round pick is guaranteed to make the roster, if you have watched his tape, you can see that Giddens has talent to not only make the team, but to contribute. Many believe Giddens fell in the draft and was more of a potential 3rd round pick. I do think they will go to Week 1 with both Herbert and Giddens on the roster, but if another RB emerges, then Herbert might be the odd man out.
Wide Receiver: Anthony Gould
The 2024 5th round pick lands on the hot seat as the Colts decided to bring back special teams ace Ashton Dulin. Gould saw limited action on the field last season, as Dulin covered the WR4 role and spot-starting as needed. Gould was brought in to be a returner on special teams more than anything.
Gould will need to carve out a role on either special teams or as a gadget guy in the offense. Keeping six in that room is possible, but Gould may have to be the returner if he wants to keep his spot on the roster.
Tight End: Will Mallory
Let’s preface this by saying, Jelani Woods has not been considered for the hot seat because he has not played. Until he shows us that he can play and produce, he will not be on this team. So, with that said, the one tight end left with question marks is Will Mallory. The odd man out on gameday rosters was Mallory most of the time. With the franchise drafting Tyler Warren in the first round, the room jumbles even more.
Mallory has plenty of talent, but with the addition of Warren and the unexpected return of Mo Alie-Cox, his spot on the roster will truly have to be earned this year. Still, there is plenty of time and opportunity for him, but it won’t be as simple as last season, where the room was so bad they just took what they had.
Offensive Line: Blake Freeland
There was so much promise when he was drafted in 2023 out of Brigham Young. He shot up draft boards after recording a 37” vertical jump at the NFL Combine, which is the record for an offensive lineman. Freeland did see a lot of time his rookie season backing up and filling in for the injured Braden Smith. However, since then he has seen his playing time essentially vanish, and he was even a healthy scratch multiple times last season.
The Colts drafted Iowa State tackle Jalen Travis in the 4th round in April. While he is not expected to start anytime soon, he will potentially take offseason snaps away from Freeland. The Colts like to have depth on both lines of scrimmage, but with Matt Goncalves moving to guard, the depth will need to be at those positions more than anything. Freeland will need a strong training camp to make this roster this season.
Defensive Line: Samson Ebukam
There are a lot of borderline players here, but Ebukam stands out as the one that must make an impression in offseason camps. A couple of reasons really stand out. First, he is coming off an Achilles injury that sidelined him all last season. Second, if the Colts were to cut loose a veteran after training camp, Ebukam would make the most financial sense for the team.
Ebukam is in contract year, and would have a small cap hit if he was cut. The cap savings would be greater than $7 million, with no penalty next season. The franchise addressed the edge position in the draft and could address again with another player... say, from Cincinnati?
Linebacker: Cameron McGrone
A position of need that just needs capable bodies, but McGrone could be the odd man out if Zaire Franklin heals up in time for the season. The Colts signed former Bengals LB Joe Bachie to help with depth behind Franklin, but Carlies is young and unproven. Reserve LB Segun Olubi can fill in, but has never been a full-time starter.
With a new, less dependent, linebacker scheme arriving with Lou Anarumo, the need for McGrone has lessened. Wisconsin hybrid linebacker Hunter Wohler was drafted to provide depth and play special teams. McGrone can play in the NFL, but the impending roster gymnastics will make it difficult for him to make the team.
Cornerback: JuJu Brents
This might come as a surprise to some fans, but I truly believe it’s JuJu Brents, and not Corey Ballentine, that will fight for this final cornerback roster spot. To clarify, I think it will be a three-man race for two spots between Brents, Ballentine, and Samuel Womack. Ballentine brings a strong special teams dynamic to the roster. Womack was signed to play in the spot for JuJu Brents early in the season.
Brents did not see playing time because he suffered another injury that sidelined him nearly the entire season. He also missed time during rookie campaign as well. As the old saying goes, “The best ability is availability.” With Brents seeing minimal time on the field and a new coordinator, he could be the odd man out as training camp approaches.
Safety: Rodney Thomas II
It’s becoming redundant, but this is another position of such need that I believe Rodney Thomas is safe - but the front office staff did sign some undrafted safeties the past couple of weeks. The starting spots are accounted for with the new acquisition Cam Bynum and returning starter Nick Cross. Look for Daniel Scott to hopefully return this season after missing his last two with leg injuries. Scott was drafted for his special teams ability, and since he has not played a single snap, we have no idea what to expect.
Rodney Thomas has regressed since his rookie season, and fallen on the depth chart. He has played every game and stayed healthy. His numbers in tackles decreased each season, and he seemed to struggle last season with all around awareness. With Ballard certainly looking to bring in new competition before camp, and if any of these undrafted players show any type of promise, then Thomas would make the most sense from a business standpoint to move on from.