Indianapolis Colts, let’s take a look at one big question facing each position group. Up next are the linebackers.
The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
Rather than only doing individual drills as the Colts have been doing, they will now be permitted to do 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team drills, although no live contact is allowed.
So with this important part of the offseason schedule about to begin, I wanted to highlight one big question facing each position group. Up next are the linebackers.
Below you can find our previous position previews.
Do the Indianapolis Colts have enough depth at linebacker?
This was a position where throughout the offseason, I kept waiting for an addition to be made. That didn’t mean I was expecting a high-profile addition, but I thought there would be some competition brought in for Jaylon Carlies.
However, the only outside additions included signing Joe Bechie after the draft, who has mostly been a special teams player, signing UDFA Solomon DeShields, and perhaps drafting Hunter Wohler, although he is listed on the team site as a defensive back.
Carlies put together a very solid rookie season as the Colts’ third linebacker in their 4-3 scheme at that time, along with making two starts. He was a very reliable tackler and limited YAC in the passing game. As a former college safety, he can add some needed coverage abilities to the position.
With that said, Carlies has 242 career defensive snaps. Assuming he can step into a full-time starting role seamlessly comes with some risk. Also, behind him and Zaire Franklin on the depth chart, there is very little defensive experience.
“It’s a position we’ve been pretty good drafting and developing. I give our coaches and scouts a lot of credit for that,” GM Chris Ballard said via the Indy Star. “Don’t forget now, E.J. Speed, it wasn’t like he came on right away. No, it took him a little time. Zaire Franklin did not come on right away. Great special team player but eventually became a linebacker that was a good player.”
In Lou Anarumo’s scheme, we are going to see more blitzing from the linebackers, not to mention there will be more disguising of coverages at the second and third levels. In this defense, there will be a greater reliance on the defensive backs than the linebackers.
But even so, the Colts are going to enter the 2025 season with question marks at this position–until shown otherwise–given the lack of experience around Franklin.