The NFL Draft is complete, and we now head to offseason camps and workouts. The team has already reported for the first OTAs last week, and that will lead to voluntary OTAs at the end of May. They will then ramp up to mandatory minicamp in June, and finally, training camp and preseason at the end of July and into August. The season will be here sooner than you think, and we dive into our first (of many) 53-man roster predictions and some draft analysis sprinkled in to round out our content.
*Rookies in Italics*
Quarterback (3)
Roster Locks- Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
Roster Cuts- Jason Bean
This is the biggest storyline heading into the 2025 season. You can call this a “quarterback battle,” but it is expected that Richardson will retain the starting spot. I do not doubt there will be true competition, but this entire regime is now under the microscope. If Richardson loses this competition, then he is done with this franchise, and the only way Ballard keeps his job is if Jones shines and leads us to the playoffs.
As for the competition between Riley Leonard and Jason Bean, it’s simple. While I love the talent of Jason Bean and his competitiveness, Riley Leonard was drafted, and Bean was not. I know it’s a late round pick, and it’s essentially a guaranteed reserve spot in the short term. However, Leonard is the more accomplished overall prospect. I think they keep Bean on the practice squad as more of an expendable athlete that can help on the scout team.
Running Back (3)
Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
Roster Cuts: Salvon Ahmed, Tyler Goodson, Ulysses Bentley IV
There seems to be a small faction of fans that think this Giddens picks spells doom for Khalil Herbert. I completely disagree with this notion. Do I think either running back will substantial snaps if Taylor is healthy? I do not, but Taylor has the tendency to get beat up due to his heavy workload. He is getting older as well, and keeping three competent backs on the roster will allow him to get some in-game rest.
I have written about my affinity with Khalil Herbert, and he is a great reserve running back that can take a starters load if needed. Giddens brings a different element to this backfield. He gets yards in chunks and can catch the ball out of the backfield. I think they will release Ahmed and let him try to latch on somewhere else. Look for Goodson to push for a roster spot because of the familiarity with the offense, and Bentley will most likely make the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (6)
Roster Locks: Micheal Pittman Jr, Alex Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
Roster Cuts: DJ Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell, Landon Parker, Blane Taylor, Ajou Ajou, Tyler Kahmann, Coleman Owen
A very crowded room, but fully expect the same room to return next season as they had for last season. Dulin will return as his main role as the special team’s gunner, and look for Anthony Gould to be the main returner and a backup to Josh Downs in the slot. The growth of Adonai Mitchell will be the key aspect of the room this season. I fully expect a couple of these wide receivers to emerge for some practice squad spots, but don’t expect much more than that. Landon Parker is the name to watch this offseason.
Offensive Line
Roster Locks (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Danny Pinter, Dalton Tucker, Wesley French, Jalen Travis
Roster Cuts: Josh Sills, Luke Tenuta, Antonio Mafi, Jack Wilson, Blake Freeland, Marshall Foerner
While this staff typically keeps ten on the roster, it will be difficult to make that roster gymnastics happen without knowing what this Lou Anarumo scheme will require for his numbers for defense. I think you could see a large presence of these younger players on the practice squad to supplement the roster. With the franchise not selecting a right guard in the draft, it appears they will have Matt Goncalves move into that position.
The selection in the draft of Jalen Travis seems to spell the end of Blake Freeland with this team. His growth and development have not been on pace with what they were looking for. Freeland was consistently a “healthy scratch,” and only suited up in nine games last season.
Tight End (4)
Roster Locks: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Roster Cuts: Jelani Woods, Sean McKeon, Albert Okwuegbunam
The Colts finally secured a game changer at the tight end position with the selection of Tyler Warren. While he is listed as a tight end, he is a football player. He can line up in multiple sets, even as a quarterback, as he was a high school quarterback. He will give a true security blanket to either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones.
As for the roster portion, I think we could see the end of the Jelani Woods tenure. While the re-signing of Mo Alie-Cox was a surprise, it became clear that they value the veteran presence he brings, but also his blocking on the line. If Woods is healthy, then expect both him and Mallory to fight for that final spot. Until Woods shows he can stay healthy, I cannot in good conscience keep him on the roster.
Defensive Line:
Roster Locks: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Samson Ebukam, JT Tuimoloau, Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Tim Smith
Roster Cuts: Isaiah Land, Durell Nchami, Pheldarius Payne, Devonta Davis, Joe Evans, Desmond Little
This franchise rarely wavers from keeping a large amount of depth on the defensive line. I do not expect any movement on that philosophy this season. I could see the staff bring in some new names to this room between now and training camp. Whether that acquisition would make an impact is unknown.
The room welcomes rookies JT Tuimoloau and Tim Smith. Tuimoloau should have no issue making the team, but I do think Tim Smith will be on the bubble most of camp, but I do think he makes the team. Smith is a great run stopper but struggles in the pass rush. He played a lot of high-pressure games at Alabama, and I think that will help this season as he pushes for a roster spot.
Linebacker (5)
Roster Locks: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Hunter Wohler
Roster Cuts: Jacob Phillips, Austin Ajaike, Liam Anderson, Solomon DeShields
I have no idea what the plan is here, as the team did not address this as most thought they would in the draft. The team drafted Hunter Wohler out of Wisconsin in the 7th round, but to say that cures all issues they may have at this position is not a probable outcome. I think Wohler has a great chance to make this team, but his forte is special teams, and he is a tackling machine.
The team is attempting to recover from the loss of both EJ Speed and Grant Stuard; both were role players on this team. This is one of three areas I think they still need to address before training camp starts. I have faith in Zaire Franklin to lead the unit internally, but the others are unproven. I would not be surprised to see a free agent addition before training camp.
Cornerback (6)
Roster Locks: Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Justin Walley, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
Roster Cuts: JuJu Brents, David Long Jr, Alex Johnson, Jonathan Edwards, Evan Slocum
Here comes the first real surprise of the roster prediction. I predict (at this moment) that JuJu Brents is currently on the cut line. A couple thought processes are in play. First, he has been unable to stay healthy since he was drafted, and unable to live up to his 2nd round expectations. Second, he was a product of the Gus Bradley defensive regime, and that is no longer here. The staff signed reserve cornerback Corey Ballentine and signed All Pro Charvarius Ward to lead the room.
We also saw the new defensive staff bring draft in Justin Walley with their 3rd round pick. While some questioned whether Walley was worthy of a 3rd round pick, many questioned why this was not a safety, linebacker or offensive guard. Walley was a 4-year starter at Minnesota and is a pure cover corner. This pick seems to be indicative of change needed from the prior regime.
Safety (4)
Roster Locks: Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, Daniel Scott
Roster Cuts: Marcel Dabo, Trey Washington
Arguably the largest area of need as they open offseason programs is safety. It was surprising to see this franchise do nothing to address this in the draft. The franchise did sign Cam Bynum in free agency, which was needed, but the depth is light. Rodney Thomas is a viable reserve; however, Daniel Scott is also a question mark.
Scott was drafted to be a special team’s contributor, but has had two consecutive season-ending leg injuries. Like JuJu Brents, you must get on the field to see what they are capable of. I fully expect the staff to bring in another name to push for a viable reserve role, or even more.
Special Teams (3)
Roster Locks: Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Roster Cuts: Maddux Trujilo
A bit of surprise news in on this part of the roster as the Colts moved on from last year's kicker, Matt Gay. Ballard said at his pre-draft presser that it was less about Matt Gay, and more about his impression of Spencer Shrader. Worth noting: Shrader has not made a kick over 50 yards in his NFL career.