Offseason programs wrapped up this past week for the Indianapolis Colts. The team will now break and then reconvene on July 22nd for training camp.
So, given what we now know, what might the Colts’ final 53-man roster look like?
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OTAs and minicamp, in particular, give us our first glimpse of team drills where players are able to stand out, and that can help us get a better idea of where things stand.
With that said, it’s also important to note that the pads aren’t on, and the emphasis during this portion of the NFL offseason for all teams is on going through installs and making sure a strong foundation is being established through having proper technique, fundamentals, and communication.
However, whether it be through individual performances, where players were lined up, and what units they were working with, we do have more information now than we did a month ago. So let’s take an early swing at predicting how the Colts’ final roster turns out.
Indianapolis Colts‘ 53-man roster prediction on offense
Quarterbacks (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
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In Shane Steichen’s first two seasons as head coach, the Colts have kept three quarterbacks on their final roster. So we will do that again, especially with the addition of Leonard in the NFL draft.
Running backs (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
We know Taylor and Giddens will be on the roster, but as the Colts look for more production from the backup running back spot, I expect a change, with the Colts going with Herbert over Tyler Goodson for the time being.
Wide receivers (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
As has been the case all offseason, I don’t anticipate any surprises here.
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Tight ends (4): Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
If ever in a numbers crunch, tight end could be a spot where the Colts roster only three, but Mallory has reportedly put together a strong showing during OTAs and minicamp.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Jalen Travis
With Chris Ballard, it’s always possible that the Colts go a little heavy here and keep 10. Perhaps with wanting to bolster the interior depth with two young players presumably starting, keeping Josh Sills around could make sense. But for now, I’ll stick with nine linemen.
Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster prediction on defense
Defensive line (10): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau, Tim Smith
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We’ll just assume that the Colts are going to keep an extra defensive lineman and roster 10 overall. This is a unit that should very much benefit from having Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator. Specifically at tackle, improved play from those behind Buckner and Stewart is a must.
Linebackers (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Joe Bachie
Franklin and Carlies are the starters, while Olubi, McGrone, and Bachie all have special teams experience.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Justin Walley
This is still the hardest position to predict. As you’ll notice, I left off Corey Ballentine who the team just signed this offseason. Ultimately, age was a big factor here. I decided to keep Womack, who is 26, and let go of Ballentine, who is nearing his age-30 season. Also, Ballentine’s primary role in his career up to this point has come on special teams. If the Colts were to release him, the dead cap hit is only $482,500, per Over the Cap.
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Safeties (4): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Hunter Wohler
This is a position where we’ve often seen the Colts go light and roster only four, so we will do that again, especially with how much inexperience there is on the depth chart.
Special teams (3): Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
As special teams coordinator Brian Mason said, it is an “open competition” at kicker between Shrader and Maddux Trujillo. But until we see otherwise, I’ll give Shrader the benefit of the doubt.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 53-man roster projection for Colts after offseason programs