The Indianapolis Colts entered the offseason with major questions on defense. They managed to retain Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones, and they did a solid job in the NFL Draft despite not having a first-round pick.
Several rookies might be in line for a starting job from Day 1. However, this team can't bank all its hopes on first-year players, which is why they may have no choice but to hold onto lesser veterans as insurance pieces.
That's why, even though some newcomers seemed like a long shot to make the initial 53-man roster at first, that might not be the case at all. In fact, they might be closer to making the roster than to joining the unemployment line again.
3 roster bubble players who will most likely stay with the Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Owens
With less than $200K guaranteed on his one-year deal, Jonathan Owens would be a no-brainer cut candidate at first glance. Cam Bynum is a lock to start, and they took LSU star A.J. Haulcy in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Also, Daniel Thomas should be in the mix.
Nevertheless, the Colts wouldn't have signed Owens if they were that high on Thomas in the first place. And as much as they should be high on Haulcy, he's a first-year player who may need some time to clean up his act.
Haulcy drew mixed reviews in a safety-heavy class because of poor tackling technique. Owens may not be a shutdown guy, but he brings proven experience at a position that they don't have as much depth as it seems.
Easton Stick
Barring a shocking turn of events, Anthony Richardson won't be with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1. Whether he'll be traded or released remains to be seen, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where he's not let go.
That alone should help Easton Stick's case to stick around -- no pun intended. Riley Leonard played some late last season, and he'll likely be the front-runner to back up Daniel Jones. Still, this team will most likely roll with three quarterbacks, especially given their injury history.
Stick has made a handful of starts since entering the league in 2019. A former fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State, he has 1,133 passing yards with three touchdowns and one interception in six appearances (four starts).
Derrick Nnadi
Not so long ago, Derrick Nnadi was considered to be a shutdown run defender. It's safe to say that's no longer the case, and he was barely a rotational player for a Kansas City Chiefs defense that didn't put much pressure on the quarterback last season.
That said, Nnadi is a natural fit for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, and he often chooses system fit over actual fitness. More than that, the Colts are extremely thin at the position, so they can't afford to leave anything to chance.
Grover Stewart is 33, Colby Wooden is another newcomer, and DeForest Buckner's health might be a season-long concern. For that alone, Nnadi might be fortunate enough to find himself on the field this season.
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