Since the new regime took over ahead of the 2017 offseason, the main objective for the Indianapolis Colts has been to add competition to nearly every position on the field.
Following general manager Chris Ballard’s third offseason constructing the roster, the Colts can successfully say they’ve achieved that goal. There is competition at several positions on both sides of the ball making for a fun upcoming offseason.
In no particular order, let’s take a look at the top position battles to watch during the Colts’ offseason workouts:
Linebacker
Key players: Anthony Walker, Ben Banogu, Bobby Okereke, Matthew Adams
It should be no surprise that the Colts are going to have competition in the middle of their defense. They added three new faces to the linebacker corps through the 2019 NFL Draft with two of the selections coming on Day 2.
It appears the Colts are looking to use more of a traditional 4-3 front with the addition of Banogu, who is expected to compete for the starting role at SAM with Matthew Adams. The latter held the starting position down the stretch of the regular season in 2018.
The other linebacker spot to watch is at MIKE as the battle between Walker and Okereke should be a fun one. Both have different skill sets that work well at the position, which could lead to a timeshare, but they will be competing for snaps once OTAs begin next week.
Getting a gauge of the linebacker corps won’t be truly revealed until the pads come on during training camp, but this is still a position to watch closely during the offseason.
Cornerback
Key players: Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Rock Ya-Sin
The Colts used an early second-round pick in the draft on Ya-Sin and have said they view him as a starter. He will be competing with Desir and Wilson, who were the boundary starters during the majority of the 2018 season.
Desir signed a three-year extension with the Colts while Wilson will be out to prove in Year 3 that he can handle a starting role in the secondary. Where that will be remains to be seen, but Ya-Sin could give either a run for their money if he can come on strong early.
While those three battle for the top spots in the room, the final spots should also be monitored as fifth-round pick Marvell Tell battles with Jalen Collins and Nate Hairston.
Wide Receiver
Key players: Devin Funchess, Parris Campbell, Chester Rogers, Deon Cain
Every year, there is a competition at wide receiver simply because there are so many bodies. This year, though, there will be competition for all of the roles behind T.Y. Hilton. This position group is truly up for grabs by anyone that can prove worthy.
Funchess and Campbell figure to have the best chance to grab the WR2 and WR3 roles but will have competition in the form of Cain, Rogers and a few others battling in the room. The group looks much more talented following this offseason than it did a year ago.
There will also be a battle for the final spots in the room with a number of players competing. How many the Colts wind up keeping will be a huge factor in who makes the roster, but this position should be littered with competition.
Defensive Tackle
Key players: Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis
Though there weren’t any new faces brought in along the interior defensive line during free agency or the draft, there will be a competition that could have a big impact on the unit. The competition between Autry and Lewis at the three-technique is one that should be watched closely.
Autry proved to be the Colts’ best pass rusher in 2018 leading the team with 9.0 sacks while the front office has a lot of optimism in Lewis working on the interior since they selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft.
Both are solid talents in their own right and given the fact that they both are versatile, there’s a chance each player gets a role. But whichever one starts at the three-technique will have an opportunity to make a major impact on the pass rush.
Offensive Line
Key players: Le’Raven Clark, Joe Haeg, J’Marcus Webb, Javon Patterson, Jackson Barton
Barring any changes to the current unit, the Colts have their starting offensive line set to return for the upcoming season. The same cannot be said for the depth roles behind the starters, though.
Each spot behind a starter is up for grabs by any one of the veterans such as Clark, Haeg or Webb while they compete with two seventh-round picks in Patterson and Barton. The Colts typically keep 10 offensive linemen at the initial roster cuts.
The crucial spots to keep an eye on during the offseason workouts and eventually training camp will be the backup to left tackle Anthony Castonzo and the backup to center Ryan Kelly.
Safety
Key players: Clayton Geathers, Khari Willis*, Matthias Farley, George Odum
Even after re-signing Geathers and Farley and drafting Willis in the fourth round, the Colts have question marks at the safety position. We know Malik Hooker will start at free safety and Geathers is likely to be the starter opposite him, but the rest of the room is up for grabs.
It could even be argued that Geathers’ spot is up for grabs, as well. Willis, Farley and Odum are likely to be competing for the third safety role in the room while also working on special teams.
Willis is a nice complement to Hooker because he’s a thumper near the line of scrimmage, as is Geathers. Farley is a solid versatile piece that fills in nicely in a depth role and was productive in his own right in a limited role last season.
Running Back
Key players: Marlon Mack, Spencer Ware, Jordan Wilkins, Jonathan Williams
This offseason was a huge vote of confidence for Mack as the starter in the backfield, but even he will be competing for snaps in certain situations. The Colts added the veteran Ware, likely for depth and short-yardage purposes while Wilkins and Williams compete for the final spot.
Mack is expected to be the starter at running back, especially on early downs. He could lose some goal-line touches to Ware if the Colts view the latter as a grinder. Wilkins had a solid rookie campaign but was seldom used in the second half.
Nyheim Hines isn’t really a part of the competition because it’s highly unlikely anyone beats him out for the role as the pass catcher.
