With OTAs beginning for the Indianapolis Colts, there is always plenty worth watching, including a few members of the undrafted free agent class.
In this third phase of offseason programs, contact is not allowed, but the competition can ramp up with team periods taking place. This provides the UDFAs their first true on-field opportunity to begin pushing for a roster spot.
While a roster spot won’t be earned solely on what happens during OTAs, the foundation for that push can be established at this time of the year, before training camp begins in July.
As these practices take place in the coming weeks, here are three Colts’ undrafted rookies I’ll be watching closely.
LB Tahj Chambers
After four seasons at Missouri State, Chambers made the jump to the SEC in 2026. There, Chambers filled a rotational role, playing 380 snaps over the course of the season. He held opponents to a modest 8.8 yards per catch in coverage, forcing two pass breakups. Quarterbacks had a below-average passer rating of 86.6 when targeting him.
The Colts reshaped the linebacker room this offseason, signing Akeem Davis-Gaither and then drafting CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher. That said, there are still unknowns around what the depth and back end of this position group will look like. That uncertainty could create an opportunity for Chambers to make a roster push.
LB West Weeks
The 2025 season was Weeks’ first as a starter. Playing 564 snaps, Weeks found success as a blizter, totaling 13 pressures with three sacks. He recorded 66 tackles, missing 11, and in coverage, held opponents to 9.1 yards per catch. Weeks is an experienced special teams player as well, with 454 career snaps, contributing to five of the six different phases.
In the early going, the Colts seem to be quite bullish on both Weeks and Chambers. Special teams play will be critical for both when it comes to making the final roster.
OT Nolan Rucci
Over the last two seasons, Rucci surrendered only two sacks over 599 pass-blocking snaps. In 2025 specifically, Rucci gave up 16 pressures and ranked 160th among tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric. He was penalized only once and was tied for 31st in run-blocking grade.
The current tackle options behind Bernhard Raimann and Jalen Travis are Luke Tenuta and Blake Freeland. Tenuta has few regular-season reps, while Freeland hasn’t seen steady playing time since 2023 and is coming off an injury. The opportunity for Rucci to carve out a roster spot in a backup role does seem to exist, given the uncertain depth.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 3 Colts undrafted rookies who can begin 53-man roster push in OTAs
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
