What do some of the Indianapolis Colts’ preseason special teams snap counts tell us about potential roster decisions?
While the competition for playing time will always garner the attention, there are also several positional battles taking place for some of the final spots on the 53-man.
When it comes to filling those back-end of the depth chart roles, of course, at whatever position that player is at, there is a prerequisite that they have to meet when it comes to the responsibilities that go with being a receiver, linebacker, or any position.
But, assuming that is met, a key differentiator when it comes to making the team can be special teams contributions. As the sixth cornerback or fourth safety, for example, your playing time is most likely going to come on teams, so being able to contribute in that phase of the game is a must.
Looking at the Colts’ snap count totals on teams through two preseason games, there is a few things to take note of.
First is that Daniel Scott leads the team with 35 special teams snaps. With the fourth safety spot now open with Hunter Wohler being out for the year, this is one bit of evidence that suggests Scott will fill that role over Trey Washington or Ladarius Tennison.
The cornerback room is getting healthier with Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents back at practice, along with the Colts signing Xavien Howard, but keep your eyes on Chris Lammons. His 22 special teams snaps ranks fourth, and he also played really well against Green Bay.
After DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Neville Gallimore, there are one or two roster spots up for grabs at defensive tackle. Based on special teams contributions, I would pencil in Adetomiwa Adebawore, with him ranking fifth in snaps.
Lastly, Austin Ajiake and Segun Olubi are tied for second on the team with 34 special teams snaps each. Olubi has been a core teams contributor during his Colts tenure, while Ajiake was a practice squad player last year.
However, between Ajiake’s play on teams this summer, along with Lou Anarumo mentioning him when discussing the team’s plans at linebacker, I would put him on my final roster prediction.
Olubi could be the exception here, where even though he’s played ample teams snaps, he could be the odd man out with Zaire Franklin, Joe Bachie, Jaylon Carlies, Ajiake, and Cameron McGrone accounting for five potential roster spots at linebacker. Or perhaps this is a sign that the Colts go heavy and roster six.
Now, with all that said, this isn’t the be-all, end-all when it comes to final decisions. But as we try to get an idea of what the Colts’ final roster will look like, special teams contributions can provide us with some insights.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: What special teams snaps can tell us about Colts’ final 53-man roster
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
