With four training camp practices complete for the Indianapolis Colts, let’s take a look at each positional battle taking place and predict the winner based on what we currently know.
The caveat, of course, is that there are still several weeks of practices and preseason games remaining that can change the current landscape. Also, how the coaches are evaluating these competitions behind the scenes could differ from how the outside world sees things.
That said, what the starting lineups look like in practice and which players are making regular plays provide us with some potential insights into where things stand.
Backup quarterback: Riley Leonard
Shane Steichen said on Day 1 that Leonard and Anthony Richardson would rotate with the second-team offense, but on Saturday, Leonard took the bulk of those snaps.
Backup running back: DJ Giddens
Rookie Seth McGowan has seemingly been the steadier of the two, with Giddens dealing with dropped passes. That said, Giddens bounced back on Saturday and seems to offer more playmaking upside.
Third wide receiver: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Of those competing for this role, Westbrook-Ikhine has flashed the most playmaking upside. He’s a willing run-blocker as well.
Backup center: Dalton Tucker
This is a position battle that is off to a rocky start. That said, for now I’ll still predict that Tucker wins the role, given his experience in Steichen’s offense and in the NFL over the other three backup center options on the roster.
Starting defensive end: Arden Key
Key has seemed to be taking more of the starting reps opposite of Laiatu Latu than Jaylahn Tuimoloau is.
Starting linebacker: Akeem Davis-Gaither
The Colts have rotated often at this position, with Bryce Boettcher, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Austin Ajiake seeing reps with the ones next to CJ Allen. But when Davis-Gaither has been available, he seems to be the first option at the moment. His experience could be a differentiator for him as well.
Starting safety: AJ Haulcy
Hunter Wohler has been getting the first-team reps through four practices, but I still think Haulcy ends up securing this role, with his versatility and ball skills. Lou Anarumo had this to say about the safety competition recently:
“We’re going to roll certain guys, certain days,” Anarumo added, via Locked on Colts, “and he (Wohler) deserves an opportunity. He was here last year and everybody’s gotta earn their spots. So I want to give everybody a chance. It’s nothing more than competition right now.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Predicting winners of 7 Colts positional battles after 4 camp practices
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
