The Indianapolis Colts are roughly every week away from the beginning of the regular-season opener towards the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Although the roster will proceed to make modifications all through the season, we have now a fairly good concept of what the squad will appear like going into the brand new season.
All through the offseason and preseason, the Colts made a number of modifications to the roster. They introduced in new items at quarterback, edge rusher and cornerback whereas including some rookies to vast receiver and security, amongst different positions.
With Week 1 proper across the nook, right here’s a rating of the Colts’ place teams:
1
Linebacker
AP Picture/Darron Cummings
The Colts are prone to play in nickel more often than not, which implies Shaquille Leonard and Bobby Okereke will see probably the most time on the sphere. That duo might be pretty much as good as any within the NFL if Okereke makes a leap within the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract. The depth is powerful within the room as effectively with Zaire Franklin and E.J. Pace as the subsequent two in line whereas the Colts added particular groups ace Grant Stuard and spectacular undrafted rookie JoJo Domann this 12 months.
2
Working Again
Having Jonathan Taylor already makes this one of many strongest backfields within the NFL. However the Colts even have Nyheim Hines as an unimaginable complement and change-of-pace again. There are some questions with depth provided that Deon Jackson is the one different again within the room, however having these two on the prime makes this one of many strongest teams on the roster.
3
Quarterback
The Colts ought to have an improve at beginning quarterback with Matt Ryan, however in addition they upgraded their backup place with the addition of Nick Foles. How lengthy Sam Ehlinger stays on the energetic roster isn’t clear, however the quarterback place is way more secure than it was a 12 months in the past.
4
Inside Offensive Line
Having Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly enjoying subsequent to one another provides the Colts a powerful duo on the inside. Danny Pinter will likely be new beginning proper guard, and there’s loads of untapped potential inside his recreation. The depth is strong as effectively with Will Fries giving robust performances within the preseason whereas undrafted free agent Wesley French could possibly be a pleasant sleeper to have on the back-end of the roster.
5
Edge Rusher
The beginning duo of Yannick Ngakoue and Kwity Paye has numerous potential, particularly if Paye takes a Yr 2 soar. The depth is powerful as effectively with the versatile edge rushers in Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis. In the meantime, Ifeadi Odenigbo and Ben Banogu are each coming off of robust performances within the preseason.
6
Cornerback
Stephon Gilmore appears to be like to be a rock-solid CB1 on the boundary, giving the Colts an enormous benefit on one half of the sphere. Kenny Moore II will reprise his versatile position on each the boundary and the nickel whereas Brandon Facyson will work reverse Gilmore in nickel packages after profitable the job over Isaiah Rodgers Sr., who continues to be a powerful candidate to interrupt out. Undrafted rookie Dallis Flowers is an intriguing depth piece and may contribute on particular groups.
7
Offensive Deal with
With Matt Pryor and Braden Smith because the beginning offensive tackles, will probably be fascinating to see how lengthy that duo stays. Rookie Bernhard Raimann is working because the backup left sort out whereas the Colts claimed rookie Luke Tenuta from the Buffalo Payments after roster cuts and re-signed veteran Dennis Kelly.
8
Inside Defensive Line
If this have been a rating of the starters at every place, the duo of DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart could be a lot larger. Nevertheless, the depth behind them is an enormous query mark. Rookie Eric Johnson II ought to work at each inside spots, and he has some upside. In the meantime, the one different depth piece is Byron Cowart, who had an up-and-down preseason.
9
Security
We must always count on some rising pains with rookie Nick Cross, however his upside is extremely excessive. When clicking on all cylinders, the duo of Cross and Julian Blackmon could possibly be deadly. Having Rodney McLeod because the third security is powerful depth whereas rookie Rodney Thomas II has intriguing upside. Undrafted rookie Trevor Denbow made the roster however is on the injured reserve record, and the Colts consider he could be a robust addition to particular groups.
10
Extensive Receiver
This rating is fairly low principally due to the unknown. Michael Pittman Jr. is a bonafide stud and may make one other leap in Yr 3. Parris Campbell has to remain wholesome, but when he does, it might imply nice issues for the offense. Rookie Alec Pierce will function the WR3 whereas Ashton Dulin is fourth in line. I’m intrigued to see how this group will look by the tip of the 12 months as a result of there may be promise right here.
11
Tight Finish
All eyes are on Mo Alie-Cox at this place as he takes over for longtime starter Jack Doyle, who retired this offseason. Second-year Kylen Granson ought to have a good position because the H-back whereas rookie Jelani Woods is probably going a 12 months away from really contributing.
12
Specialists
Lengthy snapper Luke Rhodes is coming off of a Professional Bowl season and may proceed to be one of many prime gamers at his place. Whereas Rodrigo Blankenship gained the kicking battle for the third consecutive 12 months, he has loads to show. Matt Haack had a powerful displaying in his solely preseason recreation following the season-ending damage to beginning punter Rigoberto Sanchez.