The Indianapolis Colts are bringing in a whole new group of players following the 2019 NFL Draft in the form of picks, undrafted free agents and those participating on a tryout basis that have a chance to make the roster.
As the offseason progresses, there will be more and more competition to watch at various positions throughout the roster on both sides of the ball. The influx of players hungry to grab a role early will make for an interesting viewing of training camp and the preseason.
Here are six Colts whose jobs may be in jeopardy following the draft:
CB Nate Hairston
Once thought of as a gem found in the late rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft, Hairston’s second half of the season in 2018 showed he may have fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. He will get his chance at redemption but given the influx of cornerbacks being added, it’s likely going to be an uphill battle.
Hairston was a starter for the majority of his rookie season and the first half of the 2018 campaign until he was benched during the win against the Oakland Raiders in Week 8. Following that, he failed to log more than six defensive snaps in any game during the second half.
The Colts brought in Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell to compete in the cornerback room and with four players already claiming a likely spot, Hairston could be out of a job.
LB Matthew Adams
This isn’t to say Adams is going to be cut from the roster but if he entered this offseason as the No. 3 linebacker for the Colts defense, it’s highly unlikely he holds that role now. With three picks being used at the position, Adams will be fighting for snaps during the offseason and preseason.
The Colts drafted Ben Banogu to be the SAM backer next to Anthony Walker and Darius Leonard. It’s likely that Adams serves as the backup to Banogu to begin while making the most of his work on special teams. Adams had a solid showing down the stretch in 2018, but it’s unlikely he reprises his role as the third linebacker on the depth chart.
The Colts heavily invested in the position during the draft, which means Adams isn’t the only one fighting for a role and a spot on the roster.
OT J’Marcus Webb
The Colts seem to think highly of Le’Raven Clark to backup Anthony Castonzo at left tackle. With the Colts using one of their seventh-round picks on Utah offensive tackle Jackson Barton, Webb will have some competition for one of those final spots on the depth chart.
It isn’t clear how much competition Barton will be able to provide Webb, and there’s a chance the former winds up on the practice squad following the massive roster cuts just before the season. But there are no guarantees as to who might fill out the room when it’s all said and done.
The Colts re-signed Webb this offseason to a one-year deal, so they value his game. However, that won’t keep the Colts from choosing someone else over him if they feel it’s the right move.
S Matthias Farley
A restricted free agent, the Colts brought back Farley on a one-year deal this offseason after his 2018 campaign was cut short due to injury. His roster spot is likely safe, but he will have heavy competition for that third safety role in the secondary.
With Malik Hooker and Clayton Geathers serving as the likely starting duo in the defensive backfield, Farley will be competing with George Odum and fourth-round pick Khari Willis, a player the Colts would have taken on Day 2 of the draft if they felt the need to.
Farley is a versatile defender, but he will have his competition for the third safety spot. He’s highly regarded in the eyes of Chris Ballard, but so are Odum and Willis. It should make for a fun competition.
WR Daurice Fountain
It’s unclear how many wide receivers the Colts are going to be carrying this season, but the likely number is five. With some new talent being added in both free agency and the draft, there is going to be a lot of eyes on this room.
Fountain has a lot of upside if he can eventually develop, but there’s a chance he doesn’t hold a role in 2019. With T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell all likely having their spots on lock, the final roles in the room will be fought for by Fountain, Chester Rogers, Deon Cain and a handful of other wide receivers currently in the room.
How the wide receiver room shakes out isn’t at all clear, but there are going to be several players worthy of the final spot that wind up not making it because of the depth.
RB Jordan Wilkins
Though the Colts didn’t add to the running back room in the form of a draft pick, they did add the versatile veteran in Spencer Ware to a one-year deal. While Wilkins isn’t likely to be cut due to the addition, his role as the third running back could go to Ware.
The Colts may have kept four running backs on the active roster during the 2018 season but very rarely were all four active on gameday, when the rosters shrink from 53 to 46 players. If Wilkins is that RB4 in the room, there’s a chance he’s the healthy scratch behind Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines and the aforementioned Ware.
Wilkins showed during his rookie season that he can be a solid contributor and his work in a limited role down the stretch was admirable. But he will be fighting this offseason to prove his worth following the addition of Ware.
