The Indianapolis Colts got their first win of the preseason with a 21-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Both teams played minimal starters, and this was largely a tryout game for the reserves and bubble guys.
The Colts have a quick turnaround this week with some joint practices in Cincinnati and they will finish their preseason with a Thursday Night Football battle. Let’s look at the latest edition of the roster predictions heading into the finale.
Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster projections 2.0
Quarterback (2)
Roster Locks: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco
Practice Squad: Sam Ehlinger (3rd QB)
Cuts: Kedon Slovis, Jason Bean
Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco did not play this week as cut candidate Sam Ehlinger got the start and played the entire first half. As we have come to expect, he was capable and showed why we have kept him on this roster, albeit against less able competition.
We did see a bit of a change in the order this week as Jason Bean came out after Ehlinger ended his day, whereas last week, we saw Kedon Slovis. It appears Bean might be on the bubble line for a practice squad spot. He brings that scrambler intrigue but still needs polishing.
Running Back (4)
Roster Locks: Jonathan Taylor, Evan Hull, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson
Practice Squad: Zavier Scott
Cuts: Demetric Felton
Jonathan Taylor did not play and we did not see Trey Sermon as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury. The severity of this injury has not been told by the coaching staff, so until we get a report on it the Colts must take four running backs to start the season.
The edge goes to Hull because of the “gadget play” ability he brings to this offense. During his time at Northwestern, he was a top pass catcher in college. Tyler Goodson also has a better chance of not getting picked up on waivers, but both will make it through roster cuts regardless.
Wide Receiver (6)
Roster Locks: Michael Pittman Jr, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould
Practice Squad: DJ Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell
Roster Cuts: Derek Slywka, Juwann Winfree, Tyrie Cleveland, Greg Ward
While Anthony Gould did not have a great day (one lost fumble), it should not hamper his status on this football team. He is going to see more time on the field with Josh Downs out, but he was drafted to be a returner and special teams player. Like Ashton Dulin, he will be reliant on that skill set and fill in where needed in a pinch.
If Dulin were to be unable to make it back from his ACL recovery, look out for DJ Montgomery and/or Laquon Treadwell. Both have shown the capability to contribute to a roster and have shown some flashes so far this preseason.
Tight End (4)
Roster Locks: Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, Drew Ogletree
Practice Squad: Jordan Murray
Roster Cuts: Eric Tomlinson, Jelani Woods
It is finally time to eat some crow on my Mo Alie-Cox prediction. He did not suit up against Arizona and it appears that he will be a starter this coming season along with Kylen Granson. Drew Ogletree seems firmly on the team as well with the final spot coming between Will Mallory and Jelani Woods.
While neither would make it through waivers onto the practice squad, it just seems like this coaching staff has (and will continue) to reward winning your spot through competition, and Woods has simply not earned the spot as of now.
He has the talent and ability to do it, but the injury bug hit him as he left this game with a toe injury. Mallory has battled injury as well, but Mallory seems to have more of a role than Woods has so far. Not to mention, he played last season while Woods missed the entire season.
Offensive Line (9)
Roster Locks: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Danny Pinter, Matthew Gonclaves, Tanor Bortolini
Practice Squad: Jake Witt, Dalton Tucker
Roster Cuts: Josh Sills, Arlington Hambright, Ryan Coll
It appears Dalton Tucker has completely surpassed Josh Sills. Tucker is getting more meaningful snaps in the preseason alongside Danny Pinter. Pinter, Tucker, and Sills could be battling for the two final spots on the line.
Blake Freeland had a terrible Saturday performance that will not destroy his chances of making the team, but it might see him move down the depth chart and open up some snaps for Matthew Gonclaves during the season when they need rotation or the inevitable injuries.
Defensive Line (9)
Roster Locks: Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Taven Bryan, Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo, Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Isiah Land
NFI List: Raekwon Davis
Practice Squad: Titus Leo, Jonah Laulu, Levi Bell
Roster Cuts: Eric Johnson II, Genard Avery, Derek Rivers
What a fantastic game it was this week for Adetomiwa Adebawore, as he got another start in place of DeForest Buckner. He was able to produce a sack and a tackle for loss and really seems to be carving out a spot as a top rotational interior lineman while Raekwon Davis continues to battle his blood pressure issues that are keeping him off the field.
For the final spot on the defensive line, it looks like it will be between veteran Taven Bryan and rookie Jonah Laulu. I do give the slight edge to Taven Bryan as they will need the added veteran depth with Raekwon Davis likely starting on the NFI List. Laulu will make the practice squad and have a chance to develop.
Linebacker (5)
Roster Locks: EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin, Grant Stuard, Segun Olubi, Jaylon Carlies
Practice Squad: Austin Ajiake
Roster Cuts: Cameron McGrone, Craig Young, Liam Anderson
The core of this linebacker crew did not play against Arizona and we saw the reserves play.
Rookie Jaylon Carlies and Segun Olubi had good performances this past weekend and the linebacker room seems set now. Any of the four remaining get some practice squad positions as well, but I would give the edge to Austin Ajiake.
Cornerback (6)
Roster Locks: JuJu Brents, Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham
Practice Squad: Ameer Speed, Darrell Baker Jr
Roster Cuts: Chris Lammons, Clay Fields
It appears that the franchise has secured the first four spots on this depth chart. After that, it’s a toss-up right now but going with the youth seems to be the more productive move. The slight edge goes to the rookies Jaylin Simpson and Micah Abraham. Those rookies would unlikely stay on this team through waivers.
Micah Abraham had a terrific first game and a quiet game against Arizona. Whereas Jaylin Simpson has been quiet on the box score, but could his versatility to play both safety and cornerback put him on this team over Darrell Baker Jr?
Safety (4)
Roster Locks: Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II, Nick Cross, Ronnie Harrison Jr
Practice Squad: Marcel Dabo, Trevor Denbow
Roster Cuts: Micheal Tutsie
The safety room has begun to take shape as Kendall Brooks was released this week and the four players have separated themselves from the rest of the competition. Shane Steichen said in his post-game presser that Nick Cross has not won the job yet, but they have not brought in any other depth to support if he does not get the starting job.
With the Colts not making an offer to Justin Simmons (or any other free agent) they have tipped their hand about Nick Cross. He has shown improvement this preseason and has earned the starting role with Julian Blackmon this offseason. You can only compete against the competition that is on the team at camp, and he has been ahead of Rodney Thomas II.
If the team wants some extra special teams help, then Trevor Denbow could sneak onto this team, but I think he could be a depth piece on the practice squad.
Special Teams (3)
Roster Locks: Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Practice Squad: None
Roster Cuts: Spencer Shrader
Matt Gay had another terrible game, missing his two attempts and bringing his stats to one make on four attempts. Shane Steichen showed zero concern in post-game comments, and I think he is correct, but he must improve and get the kinks out quickly.