Summer break has arrived in the NFL. All teams have completed their mandatory minicamps and headed to the dead period as training camp looms at the end of July and the preseason kicks off on Aug. 1.
Outside of some position-battle information, the Colts didn’t show much and came out relatively unscathed from camp. Second-year safety Daniel Scott was the lone player placed on IR with another season-ending injury.
WIth rookies highlighted in bold, let’s update the 53-man roster prediction now that minicamp is complete.
Quarterbacks (2)
- Roster Locks: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco
- Practice Squad: Kedon Slovis (3rd QB)
- Cuts: Sam Ehlinger, Jason Bean
Rookie year 2.0 for Anthony Richardson will finally begin. The hope is he can stay healthy so we can all see his true potential.
With Gardner Minshew II in Las Vegas, the Colts signed veteran backup Joe Flacco to help bring along Richardson. He will be a terrific asset to this team and can keep it relevant in the event Richardson has to miss time.
With those two players locked into their respective spots on the roster, the emergency third QB is up for grabs. Incumbent Sam Ehlinger will try to return and earn his spot, but don’t count out rookie UDFA Kedon Slovis. The franchise gave him a guarantee on his contract, and he will have a real opportunity to make this team as a developmental piece.
Running backs (3)
- Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Evan Hull, Trey Sermon
- Practice Squad: Tyler Goodson
- Cuts: Zavier Scott
We saw the coaching staff tip their hand a bit on who might be the true No. 2 back for training camp, and that back is Trey Sermon.
Jonathan Taylor was excused from OTAs, and that is where we saw Sermon as the featured back in his absence. He won’t be without competition as Evan Hull is returning from his season-ending knee injury, and Tyler Goodson will fight for snaps in the room, as well.
Wide receivers (6)
- Roster Locks: Michael Pittman Jr, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould
- Practice Squad: D.J. Montgomery, Ethan Fernea, Xavier White
- Cuts: Derek Slywka, Juwann Winfree, Tyrie Cleveland
Minicamp did not change the outlook on this room at all, and the overall competition we will see from this group will continue to be strong. Michael Pittman Jr. is the unquestioned WR1, and Josh Downs will return to the slot receiver position after a strong rookie campaign of 68 receptions.
Pittman and Alec Pierce missed minicamp with minor injuries, so we were able to see rookie Adonai Mitchell shine and confirm the rave reviews scouts gave during the draft process. The battle for the other outside receiver spot between Pierce and Mitchell will be a terrific storyline during training camp.
Look for rookie Anthony Gould and Ashton Dulin to fill impactful roles on special teams with the latter returning to his “gunner” role and the former expected to be the new return specialist.
The Colts also signed rookie minicamp invitee Derek Slywka after releasing Terrell Bynum.
Tight ends (4)
- Roster Locks: Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, Drew Ogletree
- Practice Squad: Jordan Murray, Trent Pennix
- Cuts: Eric Tomlinson, Mo Alie-Cox
Jelani Woods has been the talk among local media as he is returning from hamstring injuries that left him on the sidelines all last season. The early look so far has been terrific. His role will be important this season, especially with the new offense that accentuates the tight end.
The Colts will likely sever ties with veteran Mo Alie-Cox as he does not constitute a roster spot due to his salary and age. The other three presumptive tight ends who will make the roster are all under age 27.
A name to watch is UDFA rookie Trent Pennix. He played tight end at Texas Tech but did take some snaps at running back during this offseason cycle. The Colts might be looking at a hybrid role for him.
Offensive linemen (9)
- Roster Locks: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Josh Sills, Matt Goncalves, Tanor Bortolini
- Practice Squad: Jake Witt, Lewis Kidd
- Cuts: Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Arlington Hambright, Dalton Tucker
We know how much emphasis the front office staff puts on the trenches, and the addition of two future starting linemen showed that the plan will continue. The drafting of Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini gave a peek to the future of this offensive line.
Ryan Kelly and Will Fries are both in contract years. Kelly is now 31 years old and missed some time last season with injury. Fries has been terrific and played nearly every down in 2023. Given the large contracts of Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith, this franchise cannot afford to keep Kelly going forward.
Starting left tackle Bernhard Raimann is due for a massive extension in 2025, and that could also force Braden Smith off the line as he does have a buyout reduction that kicks in next season. It appears Bortolini will succeed Kelly with Goncalves and second-year guard Blake Freeland setting up an early battle for the starting guard spot in 2025.
Defensive linemen (9)
- Roster Locks: Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner, Raekwon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore
- Practice Squad: Titus Leo, Jonah Laulu
- Cuts: Taven Bryan, Genard Avery, Eric Johnson II
General manager Chris Ballard surprised the entire fanbase when he selected UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu with the Colts' first-round pick.
The franchise did pick up the fifth-year option on Kwity Paye's contract along with another extension to rotational lineman Tyquan Lewis. Dayo Odeyingbo, coming off his best season yet, is expected to see some impactful playing time, as well.
As for the interior of the line, the Colts will return the standout duo of DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. New addition Raekwon Davis should see rotational time this season, and 2023 fourth-round pick Adetomiwa Adebawore looks to have a bigger presence as the training camp roster will be crowded with some veterans hoping to bring added competition.
Linebackers (6)
- Roster Locks: E.J. Speed, Zaire Franklin, Grant Stuard, Segun Olubi, Isaiah Land, Jaylon Carlies
- Practice Squad: Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson
- Cuts: Cameron McGrone, Craig Young
Two of the first three spots in this room are locked in with EJ. Speed and Zaire Franklin returning. The latter signed a well-deserved three-year extension in the offseason, and the former enters another contract year.
The final spot is up for grabs. But after the offseason program, that spot seems to be rookie Jaylon Carlies' to lose. While we will see a mix of Grant Stuard and Carlies in the beginning, don’t be surprised to see the first-year option cement himself as the starter as the season progresses. He has drawn rave reviews from not only the staff but from his peers, as well.
Look for Stuard to continue his impact on special teams with Segun Olubi and Isaiah Land as rotational pieces.
Cornerbacks (6)
- Roster Locks: JuJu Brents, Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham
- Practice Squad: Ameer Speed
- Cuts: Chris Lammons, Darrell Baker Jr, Clay Fields III
The most-watched position battle heading to training camp will be the No. 2 outside corner position alongside starter JuJu Brents.
Last season’s surprise, Jaylon Jones, looks to be battling Dallis Flowers as he returns from a season-ending Achilles injury. Kenny Moore II returns as the slot corner, and don’t be surprised if the Colts move Jaylin Simpson around the secondary with Micah Abraham, Ameer Speed, Chris Lammons and Darrell Baker Jr. competing for the final spot in this room.
Newcomer Clay Fields III was brought in after minicamp to potentially make the practice squad after a strong rookie minicamp.
Safeties (5)
- Roster Locks: Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II, Nick Cross, Ronnie Harrison Jr., Michael Tutsie
- Practice Squad: Kendell Brooks, Marcel Dabo
- Cuts: Trevor Denbow
Nick Cross seems to be the player who has moved up the depth chart most this offseason. He was taking nearly all the first-team reps along with Justin Blackmon.
The team was delivered another crushing blow with the season-ending injury to Daniel Scott. He missed last season with an ACL injury and will miss this season with an Achilles injury. Don’t be surprised if the front office looks to add another veteran to this room during training camp.
Special teams (3)
- Roster Locks: Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
- Practice Squad: None
- Cuts: Spencer Shrader
No change from the last preseason update. This crew will continue as normal this season.
Spencer Shrader gets an invite for camp to get some NFL reps, but Matt Gay is one of the highest-paid kickers in the league and will be the starter for the foreseeable future.