The Indianapolis Colts report to training camp this week at Grand Park in Westfield, IN. We are now single-digit Sundays away from Week 1 and the start of the NFL season. Not too much news has dropped since the end of minicamp, but we did get an update on the status of Anthony Richardson. He will be a full participant in training camp as he is healed from the setback on his surgically repaired shoulder. While this is great news, there are still plenty of doubts leading into the season. Let’s dive into our latest edition of our 53-man roster prediction before camp opens.
*Rookies in Italics*
Quarterback (3)
Roster Locks: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
Roster Cuts: Jason Bean
The never-ending saga of Richardson vs Jones this offseason has a new wrinkle. ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder is reporting that Anthony Richardson has recovered from his shoulder setback and should be ready for training camp next week. Some context here from Holder: the team has not evaluated it fully and “pitch count and ramp up decisions” have yet to be determined yet. Richardson is not of the woods yet, but they could be trending back up. I still say this is Daniel Jones’ job to lose right now with Richardson missing most of the offseason workouts.
Running Back (3)
Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
Practice Squad: Ulysses Bentley IV
Roster Cuts: Salvon Ahmed, Tyler Goodson
I am going to hold firm on my predictions here; however, I could see the RB2 competition really be a point of emphasis in training camp. The load that Taylor has been dealing with is not sustainable, and one of these backs must give this team some support. Early returns on DJ Giddens have been glowing, and it appears the Colts may have gotten great value from the 5th round pick.
Wide Receiver (6)
Roster Locks: Micheal Pittman Jr, Alex Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
Practice Squad: Ajou Ajou, Landon Parker, Laquon Treadwell
Roster Cuts: DJ Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell, Blane Taylor, Tyler Kahmann, Coleman Owen
As locked in of a room from a standpoint of who is going to make the team as I can remember. The top 6 seem locked in. Could they keep only five this year? Sure, but I really believe they will keep the same core six as last season. Special teams will play a huge part in this.
Offensive Line
Roster Locks (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Danny Pinter, Dalton Tucker, Blake Freeland, Jalen Travis
Practice Squad: Josh Sills, Mose Vavao, Marshall Foerner
Roster Cuts: Wesley French, Luke Tenuta, Antonio Mafi, Jack Wilson
The biggest news out of minicamp was the ensuing battle at center between veteran Danny Pinter and second year center Tanor Bortolini. They both took starting reps in offseason workouts, and it appears that will not change in training camp. I do give the edge to Bortolini, but this does change my thoughts on who gets the final spot on the offensive line. I am moving Blake Freeland back on the roster; keeping Josh Sills would put them light at tackle. Pinter can play the interior as a depth piece if not named a starter. Practice squad spots could go many ways, but they tend to keep youth to develop talent.
Tight End (4)
Roster Locks: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Practice Squad: Maximilian Mang
Roster Cuts: Jelani Woods, Sean McKeon, Albert Okwuegbunam
What the coaching staff wants to do with this room is a true mystery. Tyler Warren is the only true roster lock here. What will they want out of this room? More blocking? More pass catching? Red Zone packages? While Warren is not the best blocker, his talent and need is undeniable. Alie-Cox and Ogletree are the blocking tight ends, whereas Mallory and Woods are the pass catchers. Until Jelani Woods can show he is healthy, I still cannot put him on this roster. I will say this: if the coaching staff wanted to keep an extra player somewhere else, I think this is where a player could get cut and they roll with three... unlikely, but just something to keep in mind.
Defensive Line (10)
Roster Locks: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Samson Ebukam, JT Tuimoloau, Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Tim Smith
Practice Squad: Eric Johnson II, Desmond Little
Roster Cuts: Isaiah Land, Durell Nchami, Pheldarius Payne, Devonta Davis
2nd round pick JT Tuimoloau has finally signed his rookie contract, which means we finally know he can be on the practice field. We know how much emphasis GM Chris Ballard puts on this position, and I think they stay with ten on the roster. The player to watch for me is Samson Ebukam, as he is returning from an Achilles injury and will need to show he is ready to return to form.
Linebacker (5)
Roster Locks: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Joe Bachie
Practice Squad: Liam Anderson, Solomon DeShields
Roster Cuts: Jacob Phillips, Austin Ajaike
As more news comes out about the scheme that Lou Anarumo will be running, we are finding out that it will rely less on the linebackers, and more on the secondary. Franklin and Carlies are expected to return from offseason surgeries, and hopefully be ready to go for the start of training camp. The Colts added Joe Bachie to bring in some competition, but it appears he might be in line to start. I fully expect that Segun Olubi and Bachie will battle for the final starting spot, if they institute three linebacker sets.
Cornerback (6)
Roster Locks: Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Justin Walley, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
Practice Squad: David Long Jr
Roster Cuts: JuJu Brents, Alex Johnson, Jonathan Edwards, Evan Slocum
Last prediction, we talked about how great Justin Walley has looked in offseason camps. This continues but a new wrinkle might be evolving. With Jaylon Jones missing time with a soft tissue injury, it has allowed him to grab some first team reps. Could we see a battle for the CB2 spot between the two of them as training camp begins? I think it is very possible. It also appears he can play both inside and outside, so expect him to be contributor this season.
I am going to hold on JuJu Brents as the notable cut on in this room. Look, he has not stayed healthy, and it has stunted his standing on the football team. I think talent-wise, he is very capable and can be a contributor, but he must show it on the field. With the importance of the secondary in this new scheme, he could sneak on as well. Only time will tell with Brents, as his margin for error is razor thin.
Safety (4)
Roster Locks: Camryn Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, Hunter Wohler
Practice Squad: Trey Washington
Roster Cuts: Daniel Scott, Ladarius Tennison
Depth continues to be the worry for this room. Has the room improved since last season? No question, as they were able to sign Camryn Bynum, and we also saw Nick Cross really improve last season. The depth, however, continues to be unproven. Rodney Thomas II showed flashes, but it was inconsistent. Daniel Scott has not played a snap yet in his two years due to major injuries. Finally, the Colts drafted rookie Hunter Wohler as a hybrid linebacker and safety in the 7th round. None of those should make anyone feel comfortable. I would not be surprised if the Colts brought in a veteran to help the depth of this room. I am looking forward to seeing what Trey Washington can bring to this team in training camp.
Special Teams (3)
Roster Locks: Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Roster Cuts: Maddux Trujilo
It looks more like a competition will ensue between Shrader and Trujilo but make no mistake, this is Shrader’s job to lose. He has a relationship with Special Teams Coordinator Brian Mason that dates back to their time at Notre Dame. Mason coached him at Notre Dame, and I expect that to continue this season with Shrader again.