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INDIANAPOLIS – It’s time for Chris Ballard and his staff to make the difficult decisions.
With the Colts finishing off their 2019 preseason slate on Thursday night in Cincinnati, all focus shifts towards this weekend’s roster cuts from 89 guys to 53.
Below is our final 53-man roster projection before cuts occur on Saturday.
The numbers in the parenthesis below indicate how many players are currently on the 89-man roster, how many made the team at that position last year and how many is being projected to make it this year.
Quarterbacks (3/2/2): Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Walker, Chad Kelly
Bowen’s Analysis: For me, Phillip Walker cannot be the backup in Week One. You need to go sign a veteran quarterback on the open market, or make a waiver claim this weekend for a QB. Chad Kelly is heading to the suspension list for the first two weeks of the regular season, and will not count against the 53-man roster. I guess you keep Walker initially, and then make the corresponding roster move for a new backup at some point this weekend.
Running Backs (7/4/4): Nyheim Hines, Marlon Mack, Aca’Cedric Ware, Charcandrick West, Jordan Wilkins, Jonathan Williams, Marquis Young
Bowen’s Analysis: This is the position group that is most predicated on health right now. Half of this quartet is injured, with Jordan Wilkins (foot) missing about a month of action and Jonathan Williams (ribs) getting hurt in the second preseason game. There’s definitely a question about Wilkins playing in Week One, more so than Williams. Are the Colts content with three healthy running backs to start the year? Is the Wilkins’ situation murky enough to put him on IR, possibly to return later in the year? Probably not.
Wide Receiver (12/5/6): Deon Cain, Parris Campbell*, Ashton Dulin, Devin Funchess, Penny Hart*, T.Y. Hilton, Krishawn Hogan, Marcus Johnson, Roger Lewis, Zach Pascal, Chester Rogers, Jordan Veasy
Bowen’s Analysis: With Parris Campbell missing a month, the Colts need insurance at the wide receiver position, so I’m keeping 6 wideouts to start the year. Even with Campbell’s return this week, you still have Devin Funchess (back) missing the past few practices, so some security is needed. Zach Pascal, with his special teams presence, is that 6th guy. Pascal didn’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale, which is typically a good sign for a guy making the team. I feel bad for Hogan though. He had such a strong August, but maybe he can find a practice squad spot again, or get claimed elsewhere.
Tight Ends (6/3/4): Mo Alie-Cox, Jack Doyle, Eric Ebron, Hale Hentges*, Gabe Holmes, Ross Travis
Bowen’s Analysis: In my mind, the first real ‘head-to head’ battle for a spot is at tight end, and that’s where I keep Hentges over Travis. I love the ceiling of Travis, and if it were up to me, I’d probably keep him. But I can’t get Frank Reich’s comment out of my head: this battle will be decided on what the Colts are looking to emphasize. Isn’t that the run game, which could need/want more of the blocking prowess that comes with Hentges? I’m still torn on this decision.
Offensive Linemen (14/10/9): C/G-Josh Andrews, OT-Jackson Barton*, T-Anthony Castonzo, G/T-Le’Raven Clark, G-Jake Eldrenkamp, T-Antonio Garcia, OG-Mark Glowinski, T/G-Joe Haeg, C-Ryan Kelly, C/G-Daniel Munyer, G-Quenton Nelson, G/T-Braden Smith, G-Nate Theaker, T-J’Marcus Webb
Bowen’s Analysis: Chris Ballard’s perfect world in the trenches would have 10 offensive linemen here, so maybe I’m a number short. Personally, I think you can get by with 8 offensive linemen on a 53-man roster (dressing 7 on game day) and then use a couple of practice squad spots on OL. I made a last minute change to the depth after seeing Saturday’s game. Jake Eldrenkamp started over Evan Boehm, so I’ll go with the more unproven Eldrenkamp over the returning backup center from last year. And we saw that confirmed on Friday afternoon with the Colts trading Boehm to the Dolphins.
Defensive Linemen (16/10/9): DT/DE-Denico Autry, DE-Ben Banogu*, DE-Gerri Green*, DE-Obum Gwacham, DT/DE-Margus Hunt, DE-Justin Houston, DT/DE-Tyquan Lewis, DE-Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE-Carroll Phillips, DT-Caraun Reid, DT-Johnny Robinson, DE-Jabaal Sheard, DT-Sterling Shippy*, DT-Grover Stewart, DE-Kemoko Turay, DT-Jihad Ward
Bowen’s Analysis: I don’t like cutting Ward, but you have to pinch some numbers somewhere. This is a group that could use an extra body, depending on when Jabaal Sheard is projected to return. However, I think 4 healthy defensive ends is enough (Banogu, Houston, Muhammad, Turay), with a few of the guys in the interior having position flex, as well. Sheard could be an injured reserve candidate, if his injury will linger another month, and the roster numbers get tight elsewhere. Again, I don’t like cutting Ward.
Linebackers (8/6/6): Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin, Darius Leonard, Skai Moore, Bobby Okereke*, EJ Speed*, Ahmad Thomas, Anthony Walker
Bowen’s Analysis: Throughout the offseason, this group has been pretty easy for me to pin down. I just can’t see any other number then 6, and this makeup of that grouping. You could easily put Moore or Thomas onto your practice squad.
Cornerbacks (9/6/6): Jalen Collins, Pierre Desir, Nate Hairston, Isaiah Langley, Chris Milton, Kenny Moore, Shakail Taylor*, Marvell Tell*, Quincy Wilson, Rock Ya-Sin*
Bowen’s Analysis: Over the past week or so, this position has separated itself (in my eyes) as the most difficult to cut down. You could go many routes at corner. But Wednesday’s trade of Nate Hairston helped to provide some clarity. The biggest beneficiary of that, in my mind, is rookie Marvell Tell. In Chris Milton, you have your best special teams player for a group that led the NFL in punt return yardage allowed last year. Jalen Collins has really struggled this past month. Collins didn’t play on Thursday though, which is a tad confusing. Possible trade bait?
Safeties (9/4/4): Micah Abernathy, Clayton Geathers, Malik Hooker, Isaiah Johnson, Rolan Milligan, Kai Nacua, George Odum, Jacob Thieneman, Khari Willis*
Bowen’s Analysis: Am I a number short here? Again, you have to pinch from some spots, so I will at safety where I think these 4 names are definite locks. I know the health for these starters have been shaky in years past, so maybe you do need a 5th safety. But I think you can get one on the practice squad and have a few versatile cornerbacks in Wilson and Tell.
Specialists (4/3/3): K-Cole Hedlund*, LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Adam Vinatieri
Bowen’s Analysis: With Adam Vinatieri returning from his knee injury last week, this group is easy to cut down.
