Another underwhelming Indianapolis Colts performance has put fanbase in shambles. Injuries have begun to make an impact on the roster, and the team just looked flat after what was reported to be a victory in their joint practice.
The first team offense looked like it would still need some work, and the defense was missing tackles and coverages already. Many of the same problems that plagued them last season are still an issue under the new scheme from Lou Anarumo. As for special teams, specifically in the return coverage was a disaster.
Now, it’s preseason, and this is why the NFL has preseason. This allows the staff to not only see potential draft picks, but it also allows the teams to work out the kinks and struggles of installations. There is plenty of work to do for this football team all over the board after this pre-season game. The real work begins now, and we dive into our latest 53-man roster prediction.
Indianapolis Colts roster projection after preseason Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback (3)
- Roster Locks- Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
- Roster Cuts- Jason Bean
Let’s start with Anthony Richardson, as we see another sustained injury. This time with a dislocated pinky finger on a missed assignment. Ravens linebacker David Ojabo was able to get to Richardson and took the bruising hit. Just being blunt, he did not look great and missed some open guys even when he should have seen them going through progressions.
This is elementary stuff; he should be ready to handle it, especially in year three. It’s early, obviously, but I just felt he should be further along by now. Time will tell with the injury, but this is another setback that could derail this competition.
As for Daniel Jones, he looked fine. It was not lights out, but it was effective and had some good intermediate throws. He handled the offense as well as you thought he would. Steichen and the staff did not scheme it up heavily, and they kept it simple. The injury to Richardson could bring Jones back to the forefront of this competition.
Running Back (3)
- Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Goodson, DJ Giddens
- Practice Squad: Ulysses Bentley IV
- Roster Cuts: Salvon Ahmed, Khalil Herbert
Tyler Goodson started the game, and while he did not dazzle anyone, I think it showed that he is truly the No. 2 back on the team right now. While I do think his special team’s abilities give him the leg up, he does know the system. Giddens is a rookie, and Herbert was signed in the offseason.
Zach Hicks of Sports Illustrated mentioned how much they value his experience as a special team’s gunner, and it may tilt him back onto this roster.
With Goodson moving into the active roster, it could move Khalil Herbert off the roster. He would more than likely be picked up by someone later in the season. Could they keep four backs on the roster? They certainly could, but I don’t see the need for it. I also don’t know where you would cut a player elsewhere to make Herbert fit.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Roster Locks: Michael Pittman Jr, Alex Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
- Practice Squad: Coleman Owen, Laquon Treadwell
- Roster Cuts: DJ Montgomery, Blane Taylor, Tyler Kahmann, Ajou Ajou, Landon Parker
I do not see any changes yet in this room, and it’s more because they are living up to expectations. All the receivers seem to be performing well in camp, and both Gould and Dulin will stick on this roster because of their special teams prowess. It has been surprising to see all these players still on the roster as they arguably have more than they need.
Who will emerge as the developmental prospect will be interesting to watch. If the first preseason game told us anything that it appears that Coleman Owen could be a practice squad prospect.
Offensive Line (9)
- Roster Locks: 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
The biggest news we saw come out of this room was the well-deserved extension this franchise gave to left tackle Bernhard Raimann. Talks moved quickly since he mentioned on a local radio spot that talks were not going well.
It appears the franchise was waiting to see where the Rashaun Slater contract ended up before finalizing the numbers. Regardless, getting this extension done before the season started was imperative, and it eliminated a potential distraction heading into the season.
As for the roster, Jack Wilson was placed on injured reserve. Tanor Bortolini got the start at center over Danny Pinter and that was not a surprise. Keeping Pinter as the swing interior lineman is probably more suited for this team. The room will need a backup tackle along with rookie Jalen Travis and it looks like that will go to Blake Freeland.
Tight End (4)
- Roster Locks: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
- Practice Squad: Maximilian Mang
- Roster Cuts: Jelani Woods, Sean McKeon
The Colts released veteran Albert Okwuegbunam last week to free up some space in other areas of the roster. While expected at some point, it did not give much clarity to the room just yet. It continues to be a bit jumbled but one player on the bubble seems to be building a case for his roster spot.
I have seen plenty of video recaps, of course, mention rookie Tyler Warren, but the other name I keep hearing is Will Mallory. The 2022 fifth-round pick seems to be making his presence known early. With the uncertainty surrounding Jelani Woods (health) and Drew Ogletree (injury recovery), he has been able to capitalize on it. He has been a standout at camp and seems to be carving out a role for this season as a vertical threat.
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, Josh Tupou
- Roster Cuts: Isaiah Land, Durell Nchami, Pheldarius Payne, Devonta Davis
The one main standout this offseason on the defensive line has been JT Tuimoloau, and (until the injury) was performing well against Baltimore. Most of the starters outside of Kwity Paye did not dress against Baltimore. We saw some productive action from Adetomiwa Adebawore, delivering one sack and one tackle for loss. He has separated himself from Tim Smith for the final spot.
Look for Eric Johnson II, Isiah Land, and Josh Tupou to battle for the final spot. Right now, I give the edge to Tim Smith for his running blocking ability, but I would not be surprised to see Eric Johnson get the final spot either.
Linebacker (5)
- Roster Locks: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Joe Bachie
- Practice Squad: Austin Ajiake, Solomon DeShields
- Roster Cuts: Jacob Phillips, Liam Anderson
We saw no action from either Zaire Franklin or Jaylon Carlies against Baltimore. On the flip side, it allowed us to see more time from Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone and Joe Bachie. It appeared that Olubi played nearly the entire game and Bachie continued his strong play in camp by grabbing another interception.
If there is one that stood out from a potential developmental standpoint this week it was Austin Ajiake as finished with three tackles. With the injuries to Franklin and Carlies still nagging, they will likely keep some depth on the practice squad.
Cornerback (6)
- Roster Locks: Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Duke Shelley, Samuel Womack, JuJu Brents
- Practice Squad: Chris Lammons, Alex Johnson
- Roster Cuts: Tre Herndon, Jonathan Edwards, Evan Slocum
What a difference a week makes for this room. Lots of changes and new faces on the roster. Corey Ballentine was released, and David Long Jr was placed on Injured Reserve. The release of Ballentine comes as a surprise seeing that the franchise just signed him for some depth and his special teams ability.
After preseason Week 1, we got some unfortunate news as Shane Steichen announced that promising rookie Justin Walley has torn his ACL after suffering the injury at the end of joint practice with Baltimore. This is a devastating blow to the cornerback room. This hurts for two reasons: First, Justin Walley was battling to be the starting outside corner and was the leader for it.
Second, this leaves the room with another injury. Both Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents are nursing hamstring injuries that have forced them to miss extended time. It’s fine to be thin right now, but I fully expect the Colts to look for some help via trade or free agency to shore up some depth. Duke Shelley gets the final spot in the room as he saw impactful plays against Baltimore.
Safety (4)
- Roster Locks: Camryn Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Nick Cross, Hunter Wohler
- Practice Squad: Trey Washington
- Roster Cuts: Daniel Scott, Ladarius Tennison
It’s too early to say a star is born, but rookie Hunter Wohler has likely had the best week of camp of anyone on this football team. Coaches have praised his ability to be a hybrid defensive player, and then he delivered with not one, but two interceptions in the joint practices with Baltimore.
Wohler delivered in the preseason game as well, leading the team in tackles with nine, and he was all over the field and getting involved. If there was any debate for the final safety spot between Hunter Wohler and Daniel Scott, Wohler has made the argument non-existent up to this point.
Special Teams (3)
- Roster Locks: Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
- Roster Cuts: Maddux Trujillo
Spencer Shrader was not perfect against Baltimore, but he was close enough. Shrader went 3 for 4 with makes from 53, 33, 39, and a miss off the upright from 52. Maddux Trujillo did not even get a chance to kick this week, and it seems that this is Shrader’s job to lose now. Barring anything unforeseen, Shrader will be the kicker come Week 1 against Miami.