The Indianapolis Colts step into an important phase of the offseason workout program this week with the beginning of organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday.
There is no contact allowed or pads being worn during the OTA sessions, of which there are 10. Expect a lot of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 work with some individual focus sprinkled in as well. This is the first time this offseason the entire team can get on the field and work together as a unit.
Here are four things to watch as the Colts begin OTAs:
Position battles
The Colts are going to have immense competition all over the roster. That was the plan general manager Chris Ballard set in place when he first took over the organization in 2017. Now, almost every position on the field will have some sort of competition.
The defensive side of the ball is expected to have the heaviest competition. It will be tough to gauge the linebacker competition without pads, but the rest of the unit should be in heated battles. The entire secondary is fighting for starting roles and roster spots while the defensive line will undergo similar competitions.
The Colts are going to wind up cutting a talented player when the time comes in September, but that’s the goal in mind as it shows the depth of the roster.
The rookies
Every year, one of the biggest spectacles is how the rookie class will work their way onto the roster and into roles at their respective positions. It was another big draft class for the Colts, which included 10 selections.
The early picks will garner the most attention. This is especially true for players like cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, linebacker Ben Banogu and wide receiver Parris Campbell, all of which were selected in the second round of the draft.
Still, there will be plenty of reasons to monitor the development of the Day 3 picks. Cornerback Marvell Tell and safety Khari Willis are two players that have high ceilings in the eyes of the organization. This is just the beginning for the rookies, but it never hurts to make a good impression early.
Will we see a defensive scheme change?
This was most certainly the case last year as the Colts changed schemes under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. While it isn’t a certainty to happen, there are talks that the Colts could be looking to move to scheme similar to that of the Seattle Seahawks during the Legion of Boom days.
With the way the defensive roster has been constructed, it makes sense. The Colts have brought in tall, lengthy conrerbacks that excel in press coverage while having a ball-hawking safety in Malik Hooker work centerfield. Add in the rangy linebackers and speed rushers off the edge, and the units become eerily similar.
If the Colts are looking to implement a change in scheme, OTAs are the time to do it. In order to have the most success, the changes need to be drilled in early while working out the kinks as much as they can during practice.
Will any UDFAs emerge?
For the last 20 years, undrafted free agents with the Colts likely had a positive look as at least one of them made onto the initial 53-man roster. The optimism might not be as high given the current depth of the roster, but there are still plenty of players to keep an eye on from this group.
Wide receivers Penny Hart and Ashton Dulin are likely the top UDFAs to keep an eye on while there are also some defensive players like Sterling Shippy or Johnny Robinson to watch as well.
It remains to be seen if anyone from this group will make the initial roster, but they are always ones to keep an eye on during the offseason.
