Who Won The Colts Position Battles During The 2019 Offseason?

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INDIANAPOLIS – Before the Colts reported for their 2019 Training Camp, we took a look at 5 key position battles facing this team.

Well, we now have some answers to those battles that spanned 16 Training Camp practices and 4 preseason games.

Here’s a look at how those played out:

Starting MIKE Linebacker

Anthony Walker beat out Bobby Okereke for the starting MIKE linebacker job.

Early on at camp, Walker looked to have a stranglehold on this battle. But once August arrived, Okereke started to get more and more first-team action.

But, eventually, Walker reclaimed the spot he had in 2018, and will be the starter again this fall.

Maybe Okereke can eventually play some role on passing downs, if the Colts feel the need to get more length and speed on the field at linebacker.

Nickel Package

We haven’t seen the starters in game action since Week Two of the preseason.

When that occurred, it was Rock Ya-Sin over Quincy Wilson rounding out the nickel group, joining every-down starters Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir.

During camp, Ya-Sin’s playmaking was better than any other defensive back on the roster.

Wilson should still be expected to have a defensive role, with his versatility welcomed in sub packages.

Third Down Pass Rushing Group

This is one we still don’t have a great answer on.

The Jabaal Sheard injury situation hasn’t helped clear up what this group might look like on third down.

Justin Houston and Denico Autry have to be on the field come the money down. Kemoko Turay’s speed off the edge should be used as well.

Maybe Tyquan Lewis in the interior rounds out the 4-man rush group on third down? Or do the Colts want the 6-8 frame of Margus Hunt in their to disrupt passing lanes?

Rookie Ben Banogu showed some flashes late in the season, so he is a name to watch as the season unfolds.

Wide Receiver Playing Time

We know T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess are starters. And Chester Rogers was the leading slot receiver in camp.

But Deon Cain and Parris Campbell are coming.

Cain had a very good month of August, showcasing in game action what he can do at the professional level.

Campbell missed an entire month of camp, but his performance in last Thursday’s preseason finale was an indication of a future slot receiver.

Is that future coming in September? It very well could for the speedy Ohio State wideout.

It will be very interesting to see how Frank Reich uses Cain and Campbell in the early going.

Backup Left Tackle

Fans aren’t going to like to hear this, but Le’Raven Clark is once again the backup left tackle.

Insurance for Anthony Castonzo is Clark, who is going into the final year of his rookie contract.

It was a shaky preseason for Clark, who really struggled in the Week Three contest against the Bears.

The Colts kept just 8 offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, which indicates they don’t love their OL depth, but they still did not make a waiver claim up front over the weekend.

On the new depth chart, Clark is the swing tackle, with Joe Haeg listed as the backup at both guard spots.