Having already been knocked out of the playoff race, the Indianapolis Colts have two games remaining before the offseason begins. While they will be trying to win those games, this is also a crucial time for some depth players to show what kind of impact they can make.
There is nothing like getting live reps in a game. No training can ever truly replicate that. So while the starters won’t be benched for the final two games, the Colts must also find a way to get some of their younger depth pieces more playing time so the front office and coaching staff has a better idea going into the offseason.
Here are three Colts who should see more playing time in the final two games:
WR Chad Williams — Snaps played: 6 (0.6%)
A recent call-up from the practice squad, Williams isn’t a player that needs more game-action because he’s lighting it up. He’s a depth piece, and the Colts need to know what they have in the former third-round pick entering the offseason.
Given the massive need at the wide receiver position the Colts face this season, they have to get a better idea of what Williams can do against NFL defenses. He shouldn’t be expected to turn into a WR1 but if he can prove to be another solid depth piece like a Marcus Johnson, that could change how the Colts go about offseason.
Zach Pascal has emerged in a breakout year, Johnson has been solid and we already know what Dontrelle Inman brings to the table. It’s time to see if Williams is actually a future piece of the team.
DE Ben Banogu — Snaps played: 235 (26.5%)
Over the past two offseasons, the Colts have spent a second-round pick on a pass rusher. Kemoko Turay flashed immensely before suffering a season-ending injury. Many believed this would allow Banogu to see an expanded role on the defensive line. That hasn’t happened.
Instead, Banogu has been relegated to simply a situational pass rusher role and even then he isn’t seeing a whole lot of action. Over the past six weeks, Banogu has failed to play more than 25% of snaps in any game during that span. He’s currently seen the sixth-most snaps among defensive linemen for the Colts.
There is a bright future for Banogu and Turay if they can develop, but the Colts haven’t seen much from their rookie pass rusher in quite some time. Giving him some extra play with two games left will give them a better idea of how to go about adding depth to the front seven this offseason.
CB Marvell Tell — Snaps played: 242 (27%)
It has been an interesting season for Tell. He’s shown flashes of brilliance working both in the slot and on the outside. He’s also had his share of blown coverages and defeats in man coverage—as is par for the course for most rookies. But his playing time has been incredibly diminished in recent weeks.
In the last three games, Tell has played 23 defensive snaps—that’s good for 11.3% of the snaps. In the five games before that, Tell saw no fewer than 50% of the defensive snaps in any game during that span. Injuries surely have some to do with the change.
However, the Colts have a young cornerback room and one that likely needs an addition this offseason. Tell should see more time on the field in the final two games both for his development and to see how the Colts feel about adding to the position.
