A lot of the focus will be on the rookies during the Indianapolis Colts' training camp set to kick off later this month, and rightfully so. The Colts are in a position where they may need to rely on some of their rookies from the get-go because of unsettled situations in a few of their position groups.
That said, a lot of focus will be on others as well, like veteran free agents on one-year deals, backup quarterbacks looking to impress as potential future starters, or coaches trying to lead their players into the playoffs during a five-year drought. The Colts encompass their fair share of intriguing storylines as training camp approaches, but then again, most teams do.
So while the rookies are competing for playing time, and coaches are coaching for their jobs, the Colts have a handful of veterans who, for different reasons, enter this month's training camp with a lot to prove.
The Indianapolis Colts have a veteran quarterback, a wide receiver, and a cornerback needing to prove something
Whether they're looking for an extended future with the Colts or auditioning on a one-year deal for a future bigger one with another team, these three Colts players are playing for high stakes next season.
Daniel Jones, QB
Daniel Jones may be the most obvious Colts veteran in need of proving something next season, but he's also the team's most important factor. Making the playoffs will be a challenging task for the Colts, given that the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans are the two better teams in the AFC South, but Jones needs to play well regardless; it's that simple.
The Colts extended Jones on a two-year contract after he suffered a season-ending injury last year. Clearly, they believe he can play as he did in the first half of last season when the Colts were 8-2. Indianapolis is riding with Jones, but his future there could be determined by next season.
Leading the Colts to the playoffs should keep Jones safe, but it may not be about the playoffs. He just has to play well if he's to remain their quarterback after next year.
Cam Taylor-Britt, CB
Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt brought a lot of brashness to his game, but for a few years, at least, he was able to back it up. Taylor-Britt's play fell off in the final two seasons with the Bengals, though, and so did the volume of his talking.
There's no doubt that Taylor-Britt can face up to some of the NFL's top receivers, but the fact that he's on a prove-it deal with the Colts is also in no doubt.
Taylor-Britt is currently fighting for a spot on the Colts' roster. If he makes the final cut, it won't be as a starter, but what he does with his rotational playing time means everything for his future in the league.
What plays to Taylor-Britt's advantage is his history with Lou Anarumo, but the Colts' cornerback room is cluttered, and someone will be left out. It's on Taylor-Britt to prove he's worthy of not just a spot on the Colts roster, but a longer contract next year.
Ashton Dulin, WR
Doubling as a wide receiver and kick returner for all six games of this NFL season, Colts' wideout Ashton Dulin has never been able to elevate himself to the heights of one of the team's top pass-catching targets.
Dulin has always been their top kick returner, which is why the Colts have kept him around, but the Colts need an established No. 3 receiver next season, and Dulin is currently competing for that.
Given his experience and familiarity with the Colts offense, Dulin has the edge over the other receivers on the Colts depth chart. That said, it doesn't guarantee him the spot by any means.
No matter where Dulin lands in the wide receiver pecking order after training camp, the veteran wideout is likely playing in his final days with the Colts, which makes his production next season all the more important for his future in the NFL.
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