Even when NFL teams release “official” depth charts, they are only official in the moment. An injury or coaching decision could shift things around at any time. Therefore, the first “unofficial” roster release by the Indianapolis Colts should not be taken as sacrosanct.
Nevertheless, we are all going to read into parts of it. Distinguishing the significant from the trivial is difficult, but several specifics did jump out on the first unofficial depth chart, released Monday. With the first preseason game almost here and the regular season just a month away, this is our best evidence, however temporary, of how Shane Steichen intends to marshal his troops in 2026.
There are very few surprises amongst the starters. Most of the intrigue comes when we look at the backups. That doesn’t mean there are no questions regarding players who will, in fact, start against Baltimore on September 13. But with several projected starters dealing with worrisome injuries, and the threat of further injury always in the cards, those backup battles could prove crucial.
Indianapolis Colts unofficial depth chart surprises on offense
Clarity at wide receiver?
This was one of the biggest question marks coming into the season, and Alec Pierce’s injury has made it the top roster problem for Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen. Three things of note showed up on the depth chart, none of which are a shock to those who have watched training camp.
Ashton Dulin is the third receiver. When Pierce returns, Dulin will join the newly minted WR1 and Josh Downs as the primary starters in Steichen's base 11-personnel package. Laquon Treadwell is Pierce’s primary backup, though he is fighting his own injury.
All of this leaves free agent signee Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in a precarious position. I had thought Westbrook-Ikhine would win the Michael Pittman role, and he still might. But he clearly has a lot more work to do.
And finally, lest anyone doubt how dire the Colts’ wide receiver situation is right now, Ben Nikkel, an athletic safety who has been on a couple of practice squads in his brief career, is now unofficially listed as a fourth-team backup receiver.
A surprise at tight end
When Chris Ballard signed Carson Towt in March, he seemed like the longest of shots to make the roster. The 6’8” Towt had a very good college career, even leading the nation in one key stat in 2025.
The thing is, it was in a different sport. Towt was a prolific rebounder playing basketball at Northern Arizona and then for one season at Notre Dame. Of course, if any team is going to convert a college power forward to an NFL tight end, it figures to be the Colts. Towt is following in the footsteps of Erik Swoope and current backup Mo Alie-Cox in making the transition.
No clarity at QB
Apparently, the competition at backup quarterback remains a dead heat. Both Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard appear as second-teamers behind Daniel Jones. This is an enormous problem – perhaps even bigger than the confusion at wide receiver.
And I don’t see how it can be read as anything other than a clear repudiation of Leonard as the team’s backup. We already saw that Shane Steichen did not trust him at key moments last season. Now that he is in his second year, he should have pulled ahead of the maligned Richardson, who has had the type of up-and-down training camp fans have come to expect.
The mere fact that Richardson remains on the roster is a bad sign for Leonard. The fact that his name appears above Leonard’s on the second line of the depth chart makes it all the worse.
Let’s not anoint Seth McGowan just yet
We all know Indianapolis needs to find a running back who can offer some relief to Jonathan Taylor. I have written about it so often that I am currently in a time-out regarding that particular subject. Throughout training camp, seventh-round draft pick Seth McGowan has drawn plenty of positive notice. Meanwhile, last year’s fifth-rounder DJ Giddens has been limited by injury.
Still, Giddens holds onto the second line on the current depth chart. That could change at any moment, especially if his hamstring proves a lingering problem. But for now, it appears that the Colts want to give the second -year back every opportunity to succeed.
Indianapolis Colts unofficial depth chart surprises on defense
My apologies to Derrick Nnadi
The Colts return veterans DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart to their starting roles at defensive tackle this season. They have a bunch of players, both young and old, competing for backup spots. Those positions could prove crucial.
Even if Buckner and Stewart were in their prime, Lou Anarumo would want a rotation in the middle. Given age and recent injury, those rotational pieces become even more important.
It is no surprise that Colby Wooden is listed as Buckner’s primary backup. But seeing Derrick Nnadi’s name right after Stewart was unexpected. Nnadi played eight seasons in Kansas City and was very effective earlier in his career. But he has not been nearly as productive of late.
Still, he is listed ahead of the other low-cost veteran they signed this offseason, Jerry Tillery, and, more significantly, also ahead of the younger Adetomiwa Adebawore.
My further apologies to Jaylon Carlies
Make everyone a few years younger, and everything I just said about the defensive tackle depth can apply at linebacker. The second level of defense is undergoing the biggest changes on the entire squad. From right after the draft, it seemed likely that CJ Allen and free agent Akeem Davis-Gaither would inherit the starting roles played by Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt last year.
The depth chart confirms that, though Allen’s continued injury struggles remain a major concern. But seeing veteran Jaylon Carlies ahead of rookie Bryce Boettcher is a minor surprise. Carlies’ role came into question when Ballard chose two linebackers in this year’s draft.
As with DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan at running back, the veteran remains in position to secure his job and even play a major role this season.
One free agent looks to be a real battle for a spot
Juanyeh Thomas seemed to be an intriguing low-cost pickup this offseason. He had never really found his place with Dallas, but when Nick Cross departed via free agency, the tall, athletic Thomas seemed like a good fit to pick up some of the slack at box safety for the Colts.
Then Ballard drafted AJ Haulcy, and Thomas’ prospects dimmed. And we all remembered how good Hunter Wohlers looked last year before his injury, and those prospects dimmed again. But I have to admit I did not expect to see Thomas fall below Daniel Scott on the depth chart.
Everyone is rooting for Scott, who has not been able to stay healthy in his first three seasons. He has been a good player the few times he has taken the field. But seeing him ahead of Thomas suggests Thomas has a steep climb to make the roster.
We’ll get more information beginning Thursday when Steichen’s men play an actual preseason game against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots.
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