4 players who need to perform during Colts preseason Week 1

The Indianapolis Colts are just a few days away from returning to the football field, suiting up on Sunday for a preseason tilt against the Denver Broncos. With many starters set in stone and Anthony Richardson on the comeback trail, this game could be essential viewing.

Shane Steichen will still likely use this game as a place to experiment. The Colts have plenty of young players fighting for roster spots, and these games could be the opportunity they need to kick their professional careers into overdrive by making the 53-man roster or jumping up the depth chart.

These 4 Colts will already be under a microscope. Be it rookies fighting for more playing time or fringe players trying to keep their job, they will need to put on a show against Denver.

4 players who need to perform during Colts preseason Week 1

4. Sam Ehlinger

Ehlinger is currently penciled in as the No. 3 quarterback on the roster behind Richardson and ageless wonder backup Joe Flacco. However, he has some competition for that final role. After failing to show Indianapolis enough for them to trust him with the backup job, Ehlinger will need to beat out both Kedon Slovis and WR/QB hybrid Jason Bean for a spot on the 53-man roster.

3. Jaylon Carlies

Carlies has been playing like a man possessed through the first few days of camp, as the converted defensive back is showing off the size of a linebacker and speed of a safety. With EJ Speed not exactly Ray Lewis on the inside, Carlies could make a serious push for snaps on a Colts team that is fresh off being ranked 28th in defense last season.

2, Adonai Mitchell

Mitchell was thought to be a mortal lock in the first round before his slide ended at Indianapolis in the second round. With fellow young receivers Josh Downs and Alec Pierce all fighting for the right to be one of Richardson's top targets, Mitchell will need to prove himself from the ground up. Given his robust production and tremendous testing numbers, he has all the tools needed to make good on his promise.

1. Laiatu Latu

The UCLA star has looked every bit as good as advertised, and then some, at Colts training camp so far. Indianapolis clearly envisions Latu and Kwity Paye taking care of their starting defensive end needs for the next decade if everything goes swimmingly. The first step toward showing the coaching staff that he could play right now will come against a beatable Broncos line.