With the offseason program now complete, we were able to see a bit of direction on which members of the Indianapolis Colts might have an increased role on the team this coming season. Some key positions will feature changes that can have a big overall impact on the depth chart.
Let’s discuss three key players whose performances during the offseason program reportedly made some noise. After all, the coaching staff now seems to be giving them a closer look.
Safety Nick Cross
Will the investment general manager Chris Ballard made by moving up in the 2022 NFL Draft to get Nick Cross finally start paying some dividends?
If the reporting out of camp is true, this might finally be the year we see Cross make the leap. He was taking first team snaps with along with Julian Blackmon during OTAs and minicamp while Rodney Thomas II and local product Michael Tutsie filled backup roles. Second-year safety Daniel Scott, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, has unfortunately ruptured his Achilles and will miss another season. Brutal luck and misfortune for him will open an opportunity for Cross to take a big step forward this season.
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell
It appears the predraft hype about Adonai Mitchell has been confirmed.
Scouts have raved about his ability to separate at the top of his routes, along with his blazing speed and terrific hands. He fell on draft boards during the scouting process for some alleged character issues, but he seems to be nothing but class and willing to accept any role the team is giving him going forward.
Rookie AD Mitchell on his new QB Anthony Richardson:
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 5, 2024
“He’s like a created player. He’s like one of them players that can legit do anything on the field. … Every time I step up on the field, I’m like, ‘Man, what are we gonna get today?’” —> https://t.co/ztpEWaMVTk
🎥 #Colts pic.twitter.com/gG0qfSRk1y
The role the coaching staff finds for him will be interesting as it looks like he will be fighting for snaps on the outside with Alec Pierce as the season approaches. However, it would not surprise me if they had Mitchell working both outside and in the slot for the upcoming season.
Running back Trey Sermon
During OTAs, we saw a glimpse into the current depth chart for the running back room. Starting running back Jonathan Taylor was not present for OTAs as he was given an excused absence, and the one back who saw the most first-team reps was Trey Sermon.
The other backs, Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson, also saw some reps sprinkled throughout both camps, but Sermon is clearly No. 2 on the depth chart. He did serve as a backup to Taylor for parts of last season, logging 35 carries for 160 yards.
It appears the franchise is confident in his ability to carry this backfield if Taylor were to miss time during the upcoming season.