The Indianapolis Colts report back to the facility in a few weeks as training camp is slated to begin on July 25. As that time comes and goes, several players will be fighting for their jobs.
Because the roster has to shrink down from 90 to 53 players at the end of the preseason, a large amount of players are considered to be on the roster bubble. However, there are some more prominent names that could go either way.
Here are seven Colts that are likely on the roster bubble entering training camp:
CB Nate Hairston
The third-year cornerback out of Temple has had a rocky start to his career. He was a big part of Chuck Pagano’s defense in 2017 and began the 2018 season in a significant role under Matt Ebeflus. However, he was benched for the second half of the season, which certainly clouded his future this offseason.
With the cornerback room being as crowded as it is right now, Hairston needed to have a strong spring to build some momentum. He did that in a big way, emerging as one of the winners this offseason.
Still, the former fifth-round pick is on the roster bubble entering training camp and will need another strong showing during the preseason games if he is to secure one of the limited roster spots in the cornerback room.
OL Le’Raven Clark
A third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Clark hasn’t developed into the offensive tackle the Colts hoped. He’s played a reserve role for the first three seasons of his career and now faces a crucial time.
With most of the depth roles on the offensive line up for grabs this summer, Clark’s spot on the roster is far from guaranteed. He will be competing with several offensive linemen who have the same goal as him: find some way to make the final cut.
Where Clark fits into the plans for the Colts isn’t clear. He’s never been the most consistent player during his early career and could be facing a potential cut following the preseason games.
CB Chris Milton
While the aforementioned Hairston has struggled, Milton has been a key piece to the special teams unit. This is why it could be somewhat of a shock that he is listed as a potential cut for the Colts with training camp just a few weeks away.
While Milton is an excellent gunner on special teams, he has close to no value on the defensive side of the ball. The Colts understand the value of special teams work but with the arrival of draft picks Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell, the room will get a little crowded.
If Tell can prove to be a promising special teams piece during the preseason, Milton’s roster spot will certainly be in jeopardy.
WR Zach Pascal
Given the way Pascal stepped up during the 2018 season seemingly coming out of nowhere to give the Colts some solid production, it’s likely that fans won’t be happy to see his name on this list. However, that’s the reality we face.
The Colts addressed the wide receiver room in a big way by signing Devin Funchess to a one-year deal and selecting Parris Campbell in the second round of the draft. This means Pascal, along with several others, will be on the roster bubble as soon as training camp starts.
With the room so crowded with competition, Pascal could be one of the odd men out. However, he could find his way to the practice squad if he does wind up getting cut.
LB Zaire Franklin
Following the overhaul of the linebacker room during the 2019 draft, there will be several players fighting for their roster lives. Among those is second-year linebacker Franklin, who spent most of his rookie season in 2018 on special teams.
While Franklin’s character, leadership and athleticism are admired by the Colts, there is no denying he will be fighting for his roster spot come training camp. The former Syracuse captain finds himself on the roster bubble following the additions of Bobby Okereke and E.J. Speed during the draft.
Franklin’s special teams prowess also could help him secure a role but if any of the newcomers prove to be more valuable on the defensive side, he could be cut.
TE Ross Travis
As much as I love what Travis brings to the table for the Colts as a receiving option, he will be battling for his roster spot yet again. After suffering an ill-timed torn ACL during the fourth quarter of the preseason finale in 2018, Travis will be competing for the TE4 role in the room.
While he might be the favorite to win that job, it remains to be seen if the Colts will be keeping four tight ends on the active roster if Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron are truly healthy. Keep in mind, the Colts started the season with only three tight ends in 2018.
Travis is a promising threat in the passing game, but he will need to first convince the Colts they need to keep four tight ends on the roster.
WR Daurice Fountain
The 2018 fifth-round pick didn’t have an impact during his rookie season coming out of Nothern Iowa, and he now faces a crucial training camp in just a few weeks. Fountain is certainly on the roster bubble with the new additions to the wide receiver room.
Though he is extremely athletic and has been showing off some extra explosion in Year 2, Fountain will be fighting an uphill battle to secure one of the final spots in the wide receiver room when cutdown day arrives in early September.
Fountain has some upside to his game—enough to keep him around even if he is cut—but he will have to show he’s more than a project if he’s to secure a roster spot.
