The Indianapolis Colts have formally trimmed down their roster to 53 gamers however the work doesn’t cease there.
Over the subsequent week, the entrance workplace might be seeking to fine-tune the depth chart because the teaching employees will get the staff ready for the season opener towards the Houston Texans.
This is a vital time of the yr as a result of acquisitions can’t solely assist a staff out when accidents happen throughout the season. However, in addition they can discover hidden gems that had been forged away like Kenny Moore II.
Listed here are six place teams I can see the group addressing:
1
Working Again
The Colts are set with Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines on the place so that they don’t must go discover a contributor on the place however some depth would assist. After surprisingly releasing Phillip Lindsay, Indianapolis at the moment solely has three operating backs on the roster.
Deon Jackson was the opposite again that was capable of finding a spot on the ultimate roster. His potential to play particular groups and receiving potential should’ve given him the sting over Lindsay.
In a perfect world, the Colts received’t have to make use of anybody outdoors of Taylor and Hines at operating again. However that isn’t how the NFL all the time works, particularly for the place. One other addition to the room would assist the staff be ready if the more serious to occur. I don’t consider they should power it on the energetic roster however bringing on a fourth again on the observe squad needs to be executed.
Possibly a reunion with former Colt, Marlon Mack, may very well be the best-case state of affairs. Whoever it’s I do anticipate a brand new operating again might be added within the coming days. Simply relies upon whether it is on the energetic roster or on the observe squad.
2
Inside Defensive Lineman
Indianapolis has one heck of a one-two punch in the midst of their defensive entrance with DeForest Buckner in Grover Stewart however there are some questions on the depth behind them.
Eric Johnson affords some upside as a go rusher however he’s nonetheless a Day 3 rookie so there might be a studying curve with him. Byron Cowart matches the scale you’re in search of if something had been to occur to Stewart however he had his struggles throughout the preseason.
Tyquan Lewis can kick inside if wanted however I’m not positive in order for you him there 100% of the time if Buckner and/or Stewart needed to miss anytime. This can be a group the place I might see a waiver declare or two get added to assist improve the expertise within the room.
As a lover of the trenches, I’m positive Chris Ballard is combing by means of the releases and seeing if he could make a high quality addition to the group.
3
Tight Finish
Much like the operating again place, I don’t consider the Colts must go discover a right away contributor. Mo Alie-Cox will lead the younger pair of tight ends in Kylen Granson and Jelani Woods. The 2 might be seeking to construct off their robust end to the preseason and proceed to carve out their roles inside the offense. However, as I alluded to earlier, accidents occur so there may be depth wanted at tight finish for Indianapolis.
It is usually no secret that Frank Reich loves to make use of a number of tight ends in his offense so it’s higher so as to add yet another participant now than later so he can get acclimated to the offense.
They probably might get away with an add on the observe squad but when they wish to kick the tires on the likes of an O.J. Howard than Chris Ballard could should discover a approach to squeeze him on the energetic roster.
4
Cornerback
If there was one place group that the Colts perceive could be a detriment if the highest of the depth chart suffers accidents, that’s at cornerback. It value them video games at instances throughout the 2021 season.
Stephon Gilmore, Kenny Moore II, Brandon Facyson, and Isaiah Rodgers have their place on the roster. Tony Brown and Dallis Flowers should keep watch over their spots within the coming days.
Brown was in a position to beat out Anthony Chelsey and Marvell Inform II however he didn’t essentially have a robust preseason that the place the entrance workplace received’t search for a possible improve.
Flowers was one of many surprises to make the ultimate roster. He did flash some good issues throughout his preseason and his potential to return kicks helped make Keke Coutee extra expendable.
I can see two to 3 additions to the cornerback over the subsequent week. Both coming onto the energetic roster and/or to the observe squad. Chelsey and Inform II appear probably as candidates for the observe squad.
5
Offensive Sort out
If there was a place I’d wager on that Chris Ballard will add to the energetic roster it might be at sort out.
Dennis Kelly was launched so the Colts solely have one sort out that’s backing up Matt Pryor and Braden Smith. Which is rookie, Bernhard Raimann. The third-round choose is at the moment being developed to be a left sort out so having the pliability with the offensive line if Smith had been to overlook time is significant.
Pryor does provide the power to flip to proper sort out or kick inside in the event that they wanted to get artistic for any motive. However, if the worst-case state of affairs would occur then having one other sort out may also help soothe the method.
An addition to the energetic roster and observe squad might be one thing I’m anticipating to see for Indianapolis.
6
Large Receiver
Regardless of all of the discuss concerning the Colts needing one other receiver, they managed to stay to their weapons, and the six gamers that anticipated to compete for his or her place on the staff made the ultimate roster.
Whereas I do consider they’re proud of the gamers in that room, it might be negligent for the staff to not contemplate including a distinct participant to the group in the event that they actually really feel like it might be an improve.
There might be an addition to the observe squad. Which can probably be Keke Coutee until he decides to maneuver onto a distinct staff.
However there are gamers that had been launched like Tyler Johnson that they will contemplate bringing to Indianapolis.