As training camp unfolds for the Indianapolis Colts, there will be plenty of training camp battles worth monitoring. Some will be for playing time and others for roster spots.
The first training camp practice will take place on Wednesday, but on Tuesday, GM Chris Ballard met with local media members, where he was asked which positional battles he’ll have on his radar.
There were five that he ended up mentioning.
Backup center
What Ballard had to say: “Backup center,” Ballard began. “Danny Pinter is going to Baltimore, which I was happy about, because he’s getting a legit chance to start in Baltimore. The backup center spot is going to be one to watch. We’ve got some young guys in the loop. We’re playing (Dalton) Tucker there and see how he does.”
Analysis: Tucker doesn’t have in-game experience at center but of the backup options, he is the most tenured at the NFL level and in Shane Steichen’s offense. Also on the roster is veteran Jimmy Morrissey and UDFAs Geno VanDeMark and Josh Kreutz.
Safety
What Ballard had to say: “The safety is going to be a really good one to watch. I think we’ve got pretty good depth there. It will be nice to get Wohler back full and going. He was back during OTAs, but now I think we’ll start seeing more of who he was, and our young kid, AJ, and Owens and Thomas. And Scott had to battle a bunch of injuries, but he had a really good offseason. There’s going to be really good competition there.”
Analysis: The starting spot next to Cam Bynum is up for grabs, and coming out of offseason programs, AJ Haulcy appears to be the favorite to earn those snaps, while Hunter Wohler could see snaps in defensive-back-heavy formations. Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas will be in the mix as well. Both have special teams experience, as does Daniel Scott. Those three could be battling for one to two roster spots.
Backup cornerback
What Ballard had to say: “I think for the backup corner — really for the fourth, fifth, and sixth corners, there’s going to be some real competition.”
Analysis: Vying for a roster spot are Cam Taylor-Britt, Johnathan Edwards, Mekhi Blackmon, Jaylon Jones, and Cameron Mitchell. Teams will typically roster five or six cornerbacks on the 53-man, which means that two to three of these players will be on the outside looking in during roster cutdowns.
Wide receiver
What Ballard had to say: “The same thing at wideout. Who is three, four, five, and six? I think we’ve got good players there, but how does it sort out as we go?”
Analysis: The third starting wide receiver spot is up for grabs following Michael Pittman’s departure this offseason. Competing for that role are Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Deion Burks, with Dulin looking like the front-runner for that starting spot following offseason programs. The WR4, five, and six spots on the depth chart have to be determined as well.
Defensive end
What Ballard had to say: “It’ll be great to get these young guys going. You got Arden and Clemons — and Clemons can kind of bounce both at the three (tech) and out on the edge. JT, we expect to see JT take another step this year. … I’m excited to watch Curry and Gumbs get after it in camp with pads on.”
Analysis: Arden Key and Jaylahn Tuimoloau will be competing for the starting role opposite of Laiatu Latu. Micheal Clemons, George Gumbs, and Caden Curry will be battling for rotational snaps.
One more positional battle to watch
Ballard didn’t mention the quarterback position, but Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson are competing for the backup role. Trading Richardson still remains a possibility, but as Ballard said, the Colts won’t “give him away” either.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Chris Ballard: 5 positional competitions Colts GM will be watching
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
