The Indianapolis Colts have now been in training camp for two weeks, and in a week, the team will play their first preseason game. While this is an important time for the team to gel together and get prepared for the 2023 NFL season, it’s also when many roster hopefuls fight to prove that they belong in the NFL.
The players that always have the longest odds of making the 53-man roster are the undrafted rookies. Aside from being a rookie, which is already tough, they were skipped by every team in the draft for seven rounds, so the odds are stacked against them. However, all every player needs is a chance, and the undrafted Kenny Moore II is proof of that.
While it is tough to do, there’s a good chance that at least one undrafted rookie makes the final roster. The question is which one? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report tried predicting that in a recent piece where Knox named the undrafted rookie with the best chance to make each team. For the Colts, Knox predicted that offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. will make Indy’s final roster.
Undrafted Emil Ekiyor Jr. predicted to make Colts final roster
Knox explained that everyone expected Ekiyor to be drafted, but some medical red flags surrounding a knee injury caused him to slide out of the draft. However, as Knox put it, “Ekiyor may have found an ideal landing spot with the Indianapolis Colts.” Not only is he with his hometown team, but Ekiyor can address a need that Indy has.
Last season, the offensive line was abysmal for the Colts. With plans to bounce back this season, the biggest question mark is the right guard spot. Conveniently, that’s the position Ekiyor plays. If he really shines in camp and the preseason, he not only has a chance to make the roster, but he could be a starter as an udrafted rookie. He’ll have to outperform veterans Danny Pinter and Will Fries, and any other linemen that could slide into the spot. That’s one storyline to watch develop throughout the preseason.