Before OTAs begins for the Indianapolis Colts, let’s make an early 53-man roster prediction.
The Indianapolis Colts will begin Phase III of the offseason programs on May 28th, which means the start of voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
We are, of course, a long way off before final roster decisions have to be made in late August, and the caveat is that a lot can change as OTAs, training camp, and the preseason unfold.
But given the offseason roster additions that were made, both in free agency and in the NFL draft, based on what we currently know, let’s make an early 53-man roster prediction prior to OTAs starting.
(3) Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
Richardson and Jones are competing for the starting job, but we’ve seen in each of Shane Steichen’s first two seasons that he’s rostered three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Sticking with that tradition, Leonard earns that role over Jason Bean.
Indianapolis Colts running backs
(3) Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
As GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine, more production is needed behind Taylor. So he signed Herbert and drafted Giddens this offseason. I’ll give both those players the edge over Tyler Goodson, who was the third back last season.
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers
(6) Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
This is a pretty straightforward position group. It was the one unit this offseason where an addition wasn’t really needed because we already have a good idea of what the roster is going to look like.
Indianapolis Colts tight ends
(4) Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
That fourth spot, where I have Will Mallory, is probably up for grabs if someone else, like Jelani Woods, can emerge over the summer. But for now, I’ll go with Mallory, who was on the roster last season but played a small role.
Indianapolis Colts offensive line
(9) Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Jalen Travis
My big question here was whether to keep nine or 10 offensive linemen. Wesley French, for example, has some NFL experience and can play center and guard. With young starters in Bortolini and Goncalves, having some added depth could be valuable. However, keeping 10 offensive linemen means going light at another position group, so for now, I went with nine until I see more.
Indianapolis Colts defensive line
(10) DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau, Tim Smith
We know about Ballard’s belief when it comes to building through the defensive front, so I went heavy here and kept 10 defenders. The Colts need more from this unit in 2025, and Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme should help with that. There is a lot of good depth here.
Indianapolis Colts linebackers
(5) Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Joe Bechie
There are some unknowns at this position, given the lack of defensive experience. However, Carlies appears to be in line to start next to Franklin, while Olubi and McGrone have ample special teams experience. Bechie was recently signed and has been a core special teams player as well, but he comes from Cincinnati and knows Anarumo’s scheme.
Indianapolis Colts cornerbacks
(6) Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Justin Walley
I had to make a difficult decision here by not keeping Corey Ballentine, who was just signed in free agency. Numbers-wise, I couldn’t maneuver keeping seven cornerbacks on the roster. Behind my decision-making is the fact that Ballentine is nearing his age-30 season while Womack is still just 26. So when discussing depth, I went with the younger, higher upside player. Also of note, while Ballentine was just signed, if the Colts were to release him, the dead cap hit is only $482,500, per Over the Cap.
Indianapolis Colts safeties
(4) Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Hunter Wohler
As we detailed recently, the playing experience at this position behind Cross, Bynum, and Thomas is quite thin. That, coupled with us seeing the Colts go thin at this position group in the past when it comes to the 53-man roster construction, is why I kept only four players.
Indianapolis Colts special teams unit
(3) Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The Colts did bring in UDFA kicker Maddux Trujillo, but until proven otherwise, this is Shrader’s job–who the team really likes.
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