While there are still two preseason games left, the start of the regular season is bearing down on the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL. This means the massive roster cutdown day is approaching as well.
Because the preseason is only halfway through, there will be many changes to the roster outlook before the cuts are made. But we can still make our predictions and educated guesses on who might make the cut.
Here’s a 53-man roster prediction with a practice squad for the Colts halfway through the preseason:
Offense (24)
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| QB | Andrew Luck | Jacoby Brissett | ||
| RB | Marlon Mack | Nyheim Hines | Jonathan Williams | Jordan Wilkins |
| WR | T.Y. Hilton | Chester Rogers | Parris Campbell* | |
| WR | Devin Funchess | Deon Cain | Zach Pascal | |
| TE | Jack Doyle | Eric Ebron | Mo Alie-Cox | |
| LT | Anthony Castonzo | Le’Raven Clark | ||
| LG | Quenton Nelson | |||
| C | Ryan Kelly | Evan Boehm | ||
| RG | Mark Glowinski | Joe Haeg | ||
| RT | Braden Smith | J’Marcus Webb |
Observations:
- What happens with Luck is still up in the air, but the video that surfaced of him going through pre-game workouts is encouraging enough to predict the Colts only keeping him and Brissett at the cuts.
- The wide receivers could be limited to five players, in which Pascal would be the cut. But with his special teams work and the depth needed due to injuries, six is the number for me right now.
- Keeping a fourth tight end is certainly in the cards, especially with how Hale Hentges is playing. Ross Travis is also in the running if the Colts keep four. But with everyone in the room healthy, three is the number right now
- The offensive line is tricky. My heart says to keep 10 because that’s all Chris Ballard ever talks about. I settled at nine with Webb being the likely cut if they only keep eight. It should be noted that the Colts have started the season with 10 offensive linemen in each of the past two seasons.
Defense (26)
| Pos. | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| DE | Jabaal Sheard | Al-Quadin Muhammad | Ben Banogu* | |
| DT (1T) | Margus Hunt | Grover Stewart | ||
| DT (3T) | Denico Autry | Tyquan Lewis | Jihad Ward | |
| DE | Justin Houston | Kemoko Turay | ||
| WILL | Darius Leonard | E.J. Speed* | ||
| MIKE | Anthony Walker | Bobby Okereke* | ||
| SAM | Matthew Adams | Zaire Franklin | ||
| CB | Kenny Moore | Quincy Wilson | Nate Hairston | |
| CB | Pierre Desir | Rock Ya-Sin* | Marvell Tell* | |
| SAF | Malik Hooker | Clayton Geathers | Khari Willis | George Odum |
Observations:
- There aren’t any changes from the last roster prediction we made. The biggest questions come in the secondary.
- At cornerback, depth is needed so I expect the Colts to keep six. The first four spots are virtual locks. The final two spots will be between Tell, Hairston, Jalen Collins and Chris Milton.
- Hairston stays because he hasn’t had a terrible camp and with Moore as the only true slot corner, the Colts need some depth there.
- I find it hard to believe Tell will make it back to the Colts if he gets waived. He’s still a project but has shown enough promise to warrant the final spot in the room. The Colts could also groom him for Milton’s job as a gunner.
- The safety room appears locked and loaded with the rookie Willis competing for a significant role.
Special Teams (3)
| Pos. | Starter | Second Team |
| P | Rigoberto Sanchez | |
| K | Adam Vinatieri | Rigoberto Sanchez |
| LS | Luke Rhodes | |
| KO | Rigoberto Sanchez | Adam Vinatieri |
| H | Rigoberto Sanchez | |
| PR | Chester Rogers | Nyheim Hines |
| KR | Zach Pascal | Jordan Wilkins |
Observations:
- This group is straight forward with Sanchez, Vinatieri and Rhodes.
- The big questions come in the return game. Rogers has earned the punt return gig. If Pascal makes the roster, he and Wilkins will be the kick returners. If he doesn’t, Hines could make his way there.
Practice Squad (10)
| Name | Position |
| Chad Kelly | QB |
| Krishawn Hogan | WR |
| Marcus Johnson | WR |
| Hale Hentges | TE |
| Jackson Barton | OT |
| Josh Andrews | G |
| Gerri Green | DE |
| Sterling Shippy | DT |
| Skai Moore | LB |
| Jalen Collins | CB |
Observations:
- At quarterback, Kelly has shown more promise than Phillip Walker. He’s mobile enough for the Colts and has a higher ceiling.
- The tight end spot could be Hentges or Ross Travis. Either of them could wind up making the 53-man roster as well. It simply depends on how many the Colts keep.
- Draft picks in Green and Barton make the practice squad as projects. Moore is solid linebacker depth to have on the practice squad.
- Collins, after not making the 53-man, goes back to the practice squad.
