Indianapolis Colts post-draft 2024 53-man roster prediction

Offensive Line (9)

Roster Locks: Bernard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Josh Sills, Matthew Gonclaves, Tanor Bortolini
Practice Squad: Jake Witt, Lewis Kidd, Jack Anderson
Roster Cuts: Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Arlington Hambright, Dalton Tucker

Ballard added some depth in the draft on both lines but didn’t think he would add it so early. He has tipped his hand a bit on what the line might look like in the future. Ryan Kelly is approaching 32 years old and is in a contract year now. The drafting of Bertolini shows the franchise might be preparing his successor, as he played center predominantly at Wisconsin.

The other starter in a contract year is Will Fries and if he doesn’t return the depth has been handled with the drafting of Gonclaves. Sills and Pinter battle for the final spot on the roster but I think Sills wins out due to his availability from last season. Colts let French and Hambright go so they can potentially be a depth lineman with another franchise.

Defensive Line (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, Isiah Coe, Jonah Laulu
Roster Cuts: Taven Bryan, Genard Avery, Eric Johnson, Quentin Bivans

All fans know how Ballard feels about the trenches during his ongoing tenure, it’s his number one priority so there is always competition brought in. This year will be no different. He showed it last month in the draft by scooping up UCLA DE Laiatu Latu in the first round. While the team achieved a new franchise record in sacks this season, we lacked that closer. One who can get that game ending sack to close out the game and secure the win.

We also lacked some pressures and hurries this season so adding and keeping competition to this line will continue to be paramount. Colts did add former Dolphins DT Raekwon Davis in the offseason to for a rotational lineman to keep the line competitive in games with Buckner and Stewart. Look for Adebawore and Leo to continue to be the developmental guys and Taven Bryan is the veteran on the outside looking in this season. The team brought in some late round and UDFA presence last month so expect to keep the practice squad deep this year with this position.