With two joint practice sessions and two preseason games now behind us, let’s put together an updated 53-man roster prediction for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts still have a week’s worth of training camp practices and a preseason game remaining. So there is still time for players to make one last push for playing time or a roster spot.
That said, we also have three weeks’ worth of practices and games behind us that have helped us get an idea of where things stand when it comes to the final roster.
Given what we know and where we believe things stand in the moment, here is our latest roster projection.
Quarterbacks (3)
Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, Anthony Richardson
As of now, it certainly doesn’t seem like Anthony Richardson is going anywhere.
Running backs (3)
Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley
McGowan has cemented his role as RB2, but I do not know what to make of the third running back spot. DJ Giddens has been sidelined for a large portion of camp with a hamstring injury. That meant more reps for Bentley, who took advantage of those opportunities and brings a pass-catching element to the backfield. However, Bentley suffered a reported ankle injury in last week’s joint practice. How long he will be out remains to be seen, and that obviously impacts who the third running back is on cutdown day.
Wide receiver (6)
Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, Ashton Dulin, Deion Burks, Laquon Treadwell
I have Burks over Coleman Owen. I thought Burks played well against Atlanta, and getting him to the practice squad may be more challenging than Owen. I also put Treadwell over Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Treadwell can help on special teams, and throughout the summer, he’s been ahead of Westbrook-Ikhine on the depth chart.
Tight end (4)
Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Mallory’s surge in the passing game this summer earned him a roster spot.
Offensive line (9)
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Jalen Farmer, Dalton Tucker, Luke Tenuta, Blake Freeland
The depth of this unit really struggled against the Falcons. Hopefully Tenuta’s injury isn’t long-term; otherwise, the Colts are really hurting for tackle depth. My guess is that Tucker will be the backup center.
Defensive line (10)
Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Micheal Clemons, George Gumbs, Caden Curry, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore
Drafting Gumbs and Curry knowing that they needed time to develop and then cutting them makes little sense. At tackle, Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi have struggled in the two preseason games.
Linebacker (5)
CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jaylon Carlies, Austin Ajiake
I feel confident that these five will make up the linebacker room, but what playing time and depth chart standing looks like remains to be seen.
Cornerback (5)
Charvarius Ward, Sauce Gardner, Justin Walley, Johnathan Edwards, Cam Taylor-Britt
Edwards and Mekhi Blackmon have taken their lumps in the preseason. I do think Edwards’ ability to help on special teams keeps him around. Blackmon, however, played only one special teams snap against Atlanta. Struggles defensively and minimal special teams contributions are not a recipe for making the team. Jaylon Jones has struggled to earn steady playing time under Lou Anarumo.
Safety (5)
Cam Bynum, AJ Haulcy, Hunter Wohler, Jonathan Owens, Juanyeh Thomas
Given the way the roster math worked out, there was only room for four safeties, which is how many the team rostered initially last season. Owens is going to be a core special teams contributor, and Thomas can be as well. With Blackmon struggling at cornerback, I chose to keep Thomas, who brings special teams value.
Special teams (3)
Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes, Spencer Shrader
Blake Grupe has been better overall, but Shrader has been perfect in the preseason. I’ll give him the advantage because of that.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Changes made to 53-man roster prediction after Colts v. Falcons game
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
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By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
