How many spots on Colts 53-man roster are up for grabs in training camp?

Training camp is the time of the year when positional battles take center stage and 53-man roster predictions are everywhere. But truthfully, most roster spots are already accounted for before camp even begins.

So, how many spots on the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man roster are actually up for grabs this summer?

Let’s go position by position through the roster, examining who is a lock and who is fighting for a roster spot.

Quarterbacks: 0 roster spots available

This is cut-and-dry. While we don’t know who the starter is, we know that Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, and Riley Leonard will make up the quarterback room.

Running backs: 2 roster spots available

Jonathan Taylor will lead the way here, but Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens, and Tyler Goodson will be competing for playing time and roster spots, with it being unlikely that the Colts keep four backs. Realistically, there’s probably only one spot available with Giddens a likely roster lock.

Wide receiver: 0 roster spots available

There is very little mystery when it comes to the receiver room. Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, and Ashton Dulin will make up this room.

Tight end: 2 roster spots available

Tyler Warren and Drew Ogletree are my two locks. Mo Alie-Cox probably makes the team, but the Colts can easily get out of his contract if needed. So he, Will Mallory, and Jelani Woods will be competing for what is likely two spots.

Offensive line: 1-2 roster spots available

The number of roster spots available here is dependent on how many linemen the Colts roster. Right now, my thought is that Dalton Tucker, Josh Sills, and Wesley French are competing for one to two spots.

Defensive line: 2-3 roster spots available

Again, the number of openings here hinges on how many players the Colts roster. Beyond DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart at the defensive tackle spot is where the unknown lies for me. Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Eric Johnson, and Tim Smith are all competing for playing time and potentially, one–or maybe even two of them–could be on the outside looking in when it comes to the final roster. Isaiah Land is another fringe player to watch at the defensive end spot.

Linebacker: 0-1 roster spots available

There is a lot of inexperience here, which creates unknowns. However, I also feel confident that Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, and Joe Bachie make up this room. Olubi, McGrone, and Bachie have all been core special-teams contributors in their careers. But to give ourselves some wiggle room for someone else to emerge, we’ll say there is potentially a spot open.

Cornerback: 2-3 roster spots available

Sam Womack doesn’t quite hit the roster lock category for me. JuJu Brents has to prove he can stay healthy, while Corey Ballentine leaves behind a dead cap hit of less than $500,000 if he’s released. If the Colts keep six cornerbacks on the roster, one of these players will be left off.

Safety: 0-2 roster spots available

A wide range of outcomes here. In regard, Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, and Hunte Wohler could make up the safety room. Or if the Colts go with five safeties, a roster spot is up for grabs. Another scenario is that neither Thomas nor Wohler are roster locks in this new defensive scheme.

Special teams: 1 roster spot available

Special teams coordinator Brian Mason has called the competition at kicker between Spencer Shrader and Maddux Trujillo “open.”

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp: How many spots on 53-man roster up for grabs?

How many spots on Colts 53-man roster are up for grabs in training camp?

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