Notes From Colts First 2018 Regular Season Depth Chart
Joe Robbins | Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS – With the roster down to 53, it’s time for an updated depth chart with the NFL regular season here.
The Colts released their depth chart on Tuesday, ahead of Sunday’s regular season opener against the Bengals.
Here are my takeaways from the ‘unofficial’ depth chart:
Starting Offense
QB-Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett
RB-Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines, Christine Michael
WR-T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers
WR-Ryan Grant, Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson
TE-Jack Doyle, Ryan Hewitt
TE-Eric Ebron, Erik Swoope
LT-Anthony Castonzo, Le’Raven Clark
LG-Quenton Nelson, Mark Glowinski
C-Ryan Kelly, Joe Haeg
RG-Matt Slauson, Braden Smith
RT-Joe Haeg, J’Marcus Webb, Denzelle Good
My Thoughts:
- If Marlon Mack can’t go Week One, look for rookie Jordan Wilkins to be the first running back called upon in this running back by committee usage.
- The offensive line situation is all predicated on the health of Anthony Castonzo. If Castonzo can’t go on Sunday, does Joe Haeg get the first call at left tackle? And then J’Marcus Webb would be the starter at right tackle?
- With Joe Haeg listed first, he appears to have won what seemed like an endless battle at right tackle. Haeg has 20 starts at right tackle the last two years.
- The veteran Matt Slauson is listed above the rookie Braden Smith at right guard. This is how the Colts have lined up for the vast majority of reps this spring. Although Smith made this competition interesting late in the preseason and could factor into starting reps at some point in 2018.
- One more note, Chester Rogers is now listed as the team’s No. 1 kick returner and punt returner. Zach Pascal is his backup at both spots. So, it looks like the Nyheim Hines project there has ended.
Starting Defense
DE-Jabaal Sheard, Kemoko Turay
DT-Denico Autry, Hassan Ridgeway
NT-Al Woods, Grover Stewart
DE-Margus Hunt, Tarell Basham, Al-Quadin Muhammad
LB (WILL)-Darius Leonard, Matthew Adams
LB (MIKE)-Anthony Walker, Skai Moore
LB (SAM)-Najee Goode, Zaire Franklin
CB-Kenny Moore, Quincy Wilson, Chris Milton
S-Malik Hooker, George Odum, Corey Moore
S-Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley
CB-Nate Hairston, Pierre Desir
My Thoughts:
- Even though the Colts label Sheard and Hunt as ‘left ends’ it looks like both will continue to start with the regular season here. Of course, Hunt’s stay on the field might end when passing downs arise. That’s when the Colts could turn to Turay. Is Turay ready though to play every down? Probably not, so that’s where Hunt is needed early on. Remember, the Colts are going to rotate plenty of bodies up front.
- At the MIKE linebacker position, I still think Skai Moore could be the starter Week One. We did see Anthony Walker return to practice on Monday, after missing more than a month. With all that time on the sideline, will Walker really be able to supplant Moore in a week of practice? I’m not ready to say that just yet. I don’t think there was that big of a separation from Walker and Moore when both were healthy. And then Moore got all those valuable starting reps in camp and the preseason.
- The corner situation is a little odd. It looked like Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir had emerged as starters late in the preseason. Then the Colts played Desir in the preseason finale. Hairston and Wilson were hurt late in August, but both are back practicing. It’s still hard to say who actually will be the base and nickel corners. I wouldn’t rule out Desir just yet from the base defense. Moore is definitely a starter.
New Show: Monday, September 10 will be the debut of the ‘Morning After’ show with Jeff Rickard and Kevin Bowen co-hosting from 7-10 AM on 1070 The Fan each Monday. The show will be centered on recapping the previous day’s Colts game. Catch this local show during your morning drive time every Monday to end 2018.
