Several rookies had already made their mark on the Indianapolis Colts since the draft thanks to the opportunities during OTAs and minicamps. Caden Curry has stirred up a lot of noise, and the Colts are reportedly higher on him now than they were before the draft.Â
Third-round pick A.J. Haulcy is mirroring Curry's impressive start as well, leading Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to state the rookie safety has "exceeded expectations." As for CJ Allen, he is the first Colts rookie to have virtually locked up a starting spot. The question is, who will start beside him?
With a handful of rookies building strong cases to make the Colts' final 53-man roster, one of the Colts' more crucial decisions will come at linebacker, which was a massive question mark after the Zaire Franklin trade.
Bryce Boettcher has impressed the Indianapolis Colts; Akeem Davis-Gaither's Lou Anarumo connection gives him the edge
Drafting Allen has helped answer that question, but it's beginning to look like the starting spot beside Allen will come down to a first-year player or a six-year veteran. Who has the leading edge?
One of the more intriguing training camp battles to watch will be between Bryce Boettcher and Akeem Davis-Gaither. So far this offseason, Allen has had reps with essentially everyone down the linebacker depth chart, including two-year player Jaylon Carlies, but his chances of stealing a starting spot are significantly lower than others.Â
As it stands, and as most reporting indicates out of Indianapolis, it appears to be a two-man position battle between Boettcher and Davis-Gaither. Boettcher has stood out in OTAs and mini-camps like Curry and Haucley have, so Boettcher might have a good chance to make the final cut if he continues to impress the Colts coaching staff.Â
That said, Boettcher doesn't have what Davis-Gaither has: a long history of playing under Anarumo. Davis-Gaither played under Anarumo for five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2020 through 2024.
With Anarumo, he primarily operated as a rotational linebacker and was effective in that role, though he never started regularly. In his one season with the Arizona Cardinals, Davis-Gaither was a full-time starter.Â
Two factors give Davis-Gaither the edge to start beside Allen over Boettcher: One, his production as a full-time starter in Arizona was significantly higher than his five seasons in Cincinnati combined. That alone shows the veteran can cut it as a starter with a heavy workload. Two, the Anarumo connection carries weight.Â
Anarumo knows how Davis-Gaither performed in Arizona, and now that he has him back on his defense in Indianapolis, the right move might be to go with a former player and let him continue where he left off last season with the Cardinals.Â
Boettcher may lose out on a starting role not for lack of trying or effort; clearly, he's impressed this summer as a rookie. Davis-Gaither simply has the advantage of past football experience. Regardless, this position battle should be a good one to watch for Colts fans: veteran vs. rookie. Who comes out on top?
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