Colts depth chart: How Indianapolis roster shapes up ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

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.