Early Colts 53-man roster prediction following the 2023 NFL Draft

Linebackers (5)

• Shaquille Leonard
• Zaire Franklin
• E.J. Speed
• Grant Stuard
• JoJo Domann

It's the rise of the Shaq attack this year as All-Pro veteran linebacker Shaquille Leonard is expected to make a huge return on the defense this year. After not resigning Bobby Okereke, the Colts are anticipating the leader of the defense to return to his original form and take control over a defensive unit that was less than spectacular last season.

However, the defense still had a solid year last season, thanks in large part to Zaire Franklin. Franklin stepped up in Leonard’s absence and established himself as a top linebacker in the league. His emergence made it possible for Indy to let Okereke walk in free agency.

Shaq Leonard paired up with Zaire Franklin, the linebacker core should be a solid unit with E.J. Speed rotating in and out. The Colts were expected to draft a linebacker with one of the 12 picks they had, but they didn't. Although they did bring in a few undrafted free agents.

Cut: Liam Anderson (UDFA-R), Cameron McGrone, Donovan Mutin (UDFA-R), Segun Olubi