INDIANAPOLIS – It looks like the Colts have around 4 open starting jobs with the 11-on-11 portion of the offseason starting next week.
OTAs begin next week for the Colts, with six of those sessions coming in the next two weeks.
From June 7-9, the Colts will have their mandatory minicamp, which will be the final spring work for their veterans this offseason. Rookies and young players will hang around for four more OTAs the following week (June 13-16).
This is Phase III of the offseason program, with the following activities permitted (per the NFL):
Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
What might a depth chart look like for the Colts entering the first 11-on-11 work of the offseason (*rookie)?
Quarterbacks: Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, James Morgan, Jack Coan*
Bowen’s Analysis: Will we see a veteran QB added? It sounds like someone (perhapsNick Foles?) could be in play. For now though, Sam Ehlinger is the backup again in 2022. Besides Ryan, none of the Colts QBs have thrown a pass in the NFL.
Running Backs: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Phillip Lindsay, Deon Jackson, D’Vonte Price*, C.J. Verdell*
Bowen’s Analysis: Following the draft, this group could have used one more body, probably more of a natural early-down runner as a break glass emergency guy for Jonathan Taylor, with Jordan Wilkins no longer here. That’s where Phillip Lindsay can factor in.
Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce*, Dezmon Patmon, Mike Strachan, Kekoa Crawford*, Ethen Fernea*
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts have several taller wideouts that they need to tap into more. And it would do wonders if Patmon and/or Strachan took a giant leap in 2022.
Wide Receiver: Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, Keke Coutee, DeMichael Harris, Samson Nacua*, Michael Young*
Bowen’s Analysis: Yeah, about this group. This is where a starting job/playing time is wide open, particularly with Campbell’s injury history.
Tight End: Mo Alie-Cox, Jelani Woods*, Drew Ogletree*, Michael Jacobson
Bowen’s Analysis: Similar to wideout, height is not an issue when looking at these body types.
Tight End: Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree*, Nikola Kalinic
Bowen’s Analysis: Playing time is also up in air at tight end. The loss of Jack Doyle is big, considering the versatility he brought to the tight end position.
Left Tackle: Matt Pryor, Bernhard Raimann*, Carter O’Donnell, Brandon Kemp
Bowen’s Analysis: The first shot at left tackle goes to Matt Pryor. He has two career starts there.
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Will Fries, Alex Mollette*
Bowen’s Analysis: Duh.
Center: Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter, Wesley French*
Bowen’s Analysis: I would still place Pinter as the backup center.
Right Guard: Danny Pinter, Will Fries, Josh Seltzner*
Bowen’s Analysis: You have to think Pinter will get the first chance to replace Mark Glowinski (and Chris Reed) as the new starting right guard. The loser of the left tackle battle between Pryor and Raimann could factor in here.
Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Dennis Kelly, Ryan Van Demark*, Jordan Murray
Bowen’s Analysis: Backup tackle depth is something the Colts have tried to address, with Kelly having 51 career starts joining the team after the draft.
Defensive End (LEO): Yannick Ngakoue, Ben Banogu
Bowen’s Analysis: When you start looking at defensive end, it’s a position that could use another body this offseason.
Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner, Dayo Odeyingbo, Kameron Cline, Curtis Brooks*, McKinley Williams*
Bowen’s Analysis: Odeyingbo should have a pretty consistent pass rushing role, with some position flex.
Nose Tackle: Grover Stewart, Chris Williams, R.J. McIntosh, Eric Johnson*
Bowen’s Analysis: Behind Stewart, the Colts did lose a couple of guys in Taylor Stallworth and Antwaun Woods this offseason.
Defensive End: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Cullen Wick*, Scott Patchan*
Bowen’s Analysis: When healthy, Lewis fits several different roles along the defensive front. That’s similar to Odeyingbo.
WILL Linebacker: Darius Leonard, EJ Speed, JoJo Domann*
Bowen’s Analysis: This has been the WILL duo since Speed joined the Colts in 2019.
MIKE Linebackers: Bobby Okereke, Forrest Rhyne*, James Skalski*
Bowen’s Analysis: Okereke had a nice first season as the full-time MIKE linebacker.
SAM Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, Jordan Glasgow, Sterling Weatherford*
Bowen’s Analysis: Franklin returned to the Colts this offseason on a 3-year deal. He is this team’s 3rd linebacker, aiding against run heavy teams.
Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore, Brandon Facyson, Anthony Chesley, Marvell Tell, Alexander Myres, Dallis Flowers*, Marcel Dabo*
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts do have some length at corner with this group, but proven depth is a question.
Cornerback: Kenny Moore, Isaiah Rodgers, Chris Wilcox, Tony Brown, Will Redmond
Bowen’s Analysis: Rodgers and Facyson are probably competing for that 3rd corner in the nickel package. That might be the most “open” starting-like role on the defensive side of the ball.
Free Safety: Julian Blackmon, Rodney McLeod, Nick Cross*
Bowen’s Analysis: McLeod has ample history as a starting free safety and should be that until Blackmon is fully healed from his torn Achilles.
Strong Safety: Khari Willis, Armani Watts, Brandon King, Trevor Denbow*
Bowen’s Analysis: Watts and King will be special teamers in Indy.
Kick Returner: Isaiah Rodgers, Nyheim Hines, Parris Campbell
Bowen’s Analysis: Until we see some clarity on the offensive/defensive depth charts, I’ll stick with these guys as the return men.
Punt Returner: Nyheim Hines, Isaiah Rodgers, Parris Campbell
Bowen’s Analysis: Until we see some clarity on the offensive/defensive depth charts, I’ll stick with these guys as the return men.
Specialists: K-Rodrigo Blankenship, LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Jake Verity
Bowen’s Analysis: Is this a kicking competition? Michael Badgley has not yet been re-signed. The Colts think Verity can offer some competition.
