Indianapolis, IN
Colts depth chart: How Indianapolis roster shapes up ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
GM Ballard prefers building team through the draft over free agency
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard discusses building the team through the draft rather than free agency.
Clark Wade/IndyStar
INDIANAPOLIS — Under team owner Jim Irsay and general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts have always preferred to rely on the draft to replenish and upgrade the roster, rather than importing veterans from the outside, a policy that puts a premium on need in the draft.
And the easiest way to see the needs Indianapolis has to fill is by looking at the depth chart as it stands today. The Colts have a lot of young, developing options on the roster, but there are opportunities to bolster depth, add more competition and potentially upgrade the ceiling at several positions in an effort to transform Indianapolis into a regular playoff presence in the AFC.
Colts depth chart
The Colts spent big money in free agency to bring back 11 of their 15 free agents, then only signed two players from the outside in free agency, leaving the roster relatively the same as it was at the end of the season.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Starter: Anthony Richardson
Backups: Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger
Running backs
Starter: Jonathan Taylor
Backups: Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
Other depth: Zavier Scott
Wide receivers
Starters: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
Backups: Ashton Dulin, D.J. Montgomery, Juwann Winfree
Other depth: Ethan Fernea, Tyrie Cleveland, Terrell Bynum
Tight ends
Starters: Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson
Backups: Will Mallory, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
Other depth: Jordan Murray, Eric Tomlinson
Offensive line
Starters: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith
Backups: Blake Freeland, Wesley French, Danny Pinter, Josh Sills, Arlington Hambright
Other depth: Jack Anderson, Lewis Kidd, Jake Witt
Defense
Defensive line
Starters: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Samson Ebukam
Backups/Contributors: Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan, Eric Johnson, Adetomiwa Adebawore
Other depth: Isaiah Land, Genard Avery, Titus Leo
Linebackers
Starters: Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed
Backups/Contributors: Ronnie Harrison, Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard, Cameron McGrone
Other depth: Liam Anderson, Austin Ajiake,
Cornerbacks
Starters: Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents
Backups/Contributors: Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr., Chris Lammons, Ameer Speed
Safeties
Starters: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross
Backups/Contributors: Rodney Thomas II, Daniel Scott, Trevor Denbow
Other depth: Kendell Brooks, Marcel Dabo, Michael Tutsie
Colts draft needs
When it’s all laid out, the needs the Colts have to fill jump off the page. There are places the Colts could upgrade if they identify a Pro Bowl-level player, but from a numbers standpoint, Indianapolis clearly has needs to fill at cornerback, wide receiver, safety and linebacker, and Indianapolis almost always uses its top pick to fill needs.
Indianapolis, IN
Aloft Hotels to open new location in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Aloft Hotels, Marriott’s lifestyle brand, is opening a new location in downtown Indianapolis this February.
Located two blocks east of Monument Circle on Market Street, the Aloft Indianapolis is a short walk away from Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“We are absolutely thrilled to open our doors and welcome guests to the Aloft Indianapolis Downtown,” General Manager Ryan Niketh said in a press release. “With a focus around local culture, crave-able food and beverage and purpose-built design; the Aloft Indy is the ideal choice for travelers in search of a boutique hotel with bold design elements, but who still want the confidence of a Marriott Brand as well as the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program.”
Aloft Indianapolis will have 128 urban loft-style guestrooms, with nine-foot ceilings. Guests will have access to the Arf pet program, which provides lodgings, toys, and treats for your dog, and Camp Aloft, a program designed to entertain children.
In homage to the building’s original tenant, a bank vault in the lobby was renovated as a lounge for private dining and as an event space.
WXYZ Bar, a new cocktail bar, can be found at home in the Aloft. The mixologist-inspired bar will offer weekly live music.
Indianapolis, IN
Cathedral beats Attucks to win City Championship
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Cathedral finally got the Tigers off their back.
For the third straight year, the Cathedral Fighting Irish faced the Crispus Attucks Tigers in the Indianapolis City Championship Monday night at Arsenal Tech High School. The Tigers owned the bragging rights from the last two seasons, but the Irish aren’t strangers to hoisting the city tournament trophy. The two programs have won the title the last eight years.
This year belonged to the Irish, though. Led by 19 points from Brady Koehler, Cathedral held off a late Attucks surge to be the city champs once again, beating the Tigers, 71-63.
“Just really proud of our guys, how they just battled,” head coach Jason Delaney said postgame. “We didn’t play a perfect game tonight, but they found a way to win and made some veteran plays when it mattered.”
“It means a ton. We haven’t won the last two years. I haven’t won since I’ve been on varsity, so I mean it’s great to contribute and get a win,” Koehler said. “We’ve been on a little drought in the city, so just nice to get a dub and I’m doing it with the guys I’ve been playing with for a long time, so it’s great. It feels great.”
Cathedral now moves to 12-4 on the season, holding strong to the No. 5 ranking in Class 3A. The Irish play Winton Woods of Ohio next. Meanwhile, the No. 9 Tigers drop to 10-6 and will host Indianapolis Washington on Wednesday.
Watch WISH-TV’s The Zone every Friday night starting at 11:08 p.m. for the most high school sports coverage in the state.
Indianapolis, IN
Broad Ripple hot chicken eatery closes its doors
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Joella’s Hot Chicken opened its doors in Broad Ripple in October 2018.
Sunday the business closed its doors for good.
In a Facebook post, Joella’s Broad Ripple said “It is with heavy hearts that we announce our Broad Ripple location closed its doors for the final time on 1/26/25. We want to thank our team and guests who we have been fortunate to serve since we opened.”
Joella’s Hot Chicken is a national chain, who’s website proclaims: “The place where hearts are always warm and the chicken is spiced just right. At Joella’s, we’ll spice our 100% antibiotic-free, hormone-free, all-natural chicken just the way you like – from just enough heat to bring out the flavors and warm your heart, to Fire-In Da-Hole, bless your heart.”
The restaurant was located at 1072 Broad Ripple Avenue.
No reason was given for the closing, but competition in the hot chicken market has heated up in recent years with several competitors vying for a slice of the industry.
Joella’s operates another location on 96th street, which is not affected by the closure.
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