The Indianapolis Colts need to bounce back after an epic collapse in the second half of last season. Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard might not finish the season if that's not the case.
Stakes are as high as they've been in years. That's why they've gone to great lengths to revamp the defense after a somewhat disappointing first year with Lou Anarumo calling the shots. However, they have yet to make a big splash, even though they have more than enough cap space to do so.
That makes it seem as if the roster is complete as currently constructed, barring a shocking turn of events. With that in mind, we'll take a look at the three winners and losers from the Colts' OTAs and minicamp.
Winners from 2026 Indianapolis Colts organized team activities
Ashton Dulin
The Colts moved on from Michael Pittman Jr to make room for Alec Pierce's mammoth extension. That left a big void in the wide receiver corps, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine's arrival may not be enough to fill it.
Enter Ashton Dulin. Known mostly for his contributions on special teams, he's taken a big leap and turned plenty of heads in the spring, and he's now in a strong position to start next to Pierce and Josh Downs.
Of course, whether that will be enough to keep the chains in motion remains to be seen. That said, Tyler Warren will also probably help pick up some of the slack after showing glimpses of greatness as a rookie.
Bryce Boettcher
C.J. Allen has drawn rave reviews, but that's far from a surprise. He was a borderline first-round pick, and as the team's first selection, he was always expected to have a big role right out of the gate. That's why Bryce Boettcher is ahead of him in the 'winners' column.
The rookie out of Oregon was a polarizing pick at the time, given that he didn't have as much experience at linebacker as a former baseball player. He's picking things up on the fly, but his effort and work ethic have been quite impressive.
Boettcher has put himself in a position to start next to Allen and Akeem Davis-Gaither right out of the jump. He's still a work in progress, but he made a couple of big plays in 7-on-7s, including an impressive pick to showcase his athleticism.
Daniel Jones
Against all odds, Daniel Jones was back on the field early in the spring. He played in 7-on-7s and looked as sharp as always. He didn't miss a beat despite a long layoff with his two season-ending injuries.
While it seemed that expecting him to take the field in Week 1 was wishful thinking, that might be a realistic possibility now. He still has some hurdles to clear, but he'll have a bit over a month to get back on the field.
Jones just got a very lucrative two-year deal to return to Indianapolis. He's no longer on a good value deal, so the stakes and expectations are higher. He still has to do it when it counts, but the early returns are encouraging.
Losers from Indianapolis Colts OTAs
Jayhlan Tuimoloau
The Colts had high expectations when they took Jayhlan Tauimoloau out of Ohio State. Some scouts had first-round grades for him, so he looked like an absolute steal when they got him in Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tuimoloau barely played as a rookie and wasn't that good when he was on the field. As a result, the team added Arden Key to the mix this offseason, and he has a legitimate chance to start opposite Laiatu Latu.
While it's too early to give up on a player, this could be a make-or-break season for the young pass rusher. Failing to beat a career backup like Key for the job would be a huge indictment and raise doubts about his future.
Spencer Shrader
Spencer Shrader was fairly efficient and reliable for the Colts, but he's not their only option at kicker right now. Blake Grupe stepped up for him when he was hurt, and he's reportedly been more efficient in training camp.
Grupe is more experienced, and the mere fact that the Colts didn't immediately side with Shrader as the starter should have him worried. This position battle has been somewhat overlooked, but it might heat up and go down to the wire.
Of course, kickers usually get a shorter leash, so even if Shrader loses his job to Grupe, that doesn't mean this will be the end of the line for him. That said, it looks like he has some catching up to do in training camp.
Anthony Richardson
Anthony Richardson simply cannot catch a break. The Colts have been trying to trade him for weeks now, but there won't be any takers unless he's released. Otherwise, whoever acquires him will only get him on a rental.
He didn't have as many opportunities to boost his stock, either. Daniel Jones was back on the field earlier than expected, and with Riley Leonard and even Easton Stick in the building, things didn't look good for the former first-round pick.
Richardson's reputation and value have never been lower. He's still young and incredibly athletic, so someone might take a chance on him at some point in the future. For now, that doesn't seem to be the case.
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