The Indianapolis Colts have been making constant tweaks since setting their initial 53-man roster nearly one week ago as they prepare for the regular season opener.
Since cutting the roster to 53 players at the deadline, the Colts added offensive linemen Ryan Hayes and Josh Sills, along with linebacker Isaiah Land, via waivers. They also signed free-agent defensive end Jacob Martin.
Buy Colts TicketsThe Colts will release their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But until then, we’re taking a swing at projecting the Colts’ 2023 depth chart heading into Week 1.
Quarterback
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String | 3rd string |
| QB | Anthony Richardson | Gardner Minshew | Sam Ehlinger |
Analysis: Not much to see here. Richardson will be the starter and one of the seven captains in 2023. Expect plenty of growing pains throughout the campaign, but the main priority is seeing growth.
Running Back
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String | 3rd String |
| RB | Zack Moss | Deon Jackson | Evan Hull |
Analysis: Whether Moss will be ready for Week 1 remains to be seen. If he is, he will be the starter. If not, Jackson will likely take the lead role with the rookie Hull spelling him. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Colts added someone from free agency to the mix.
Wide Receiver
| Pos. | First | Second |
| X-WR | Michael Pittman Jr. | |
| Slot | Josh Downs | Isaiah McKenzie |
| Z-WR | Alec Pierce |
Analysis: Pittman Jr. and Pierce have solidified roles as the starters while the rookie Downs won the slot role. Four wide receivers certainly won’t be enough for the entire season. If they don’t add someone to the room before Week 1, expect one or both practice squad elevations to be wide receivers.
Tight End
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String |
| Y-TE | Mo Alie-Cox | Drew Ogletree |
| F-TE | Kylen Granson | Will Mallory |
Analysis: With Jelani Woods out for the first four games, the Colts will lean heavily on Alie-Cox and Granson to begin the season. Don’t be surprised if Ogletree works his way into more snaps as the Y tight end.
Offensive Line
| Pos. | First | Second |
| LT | Bernhard Raimann | Ryan Hayes |
| LG | Quenton Nelson | |
| C | Ryan Kelly | Wesley French |
| RG | Will Fries | Josh Sills |
| RT | Braden Smith | Blake Freeland |
Analysis: Assuming Fries is healthy from his calf injury, he is expected to be the starting right guard. Meanwhile, Hayes is likely to serve as the backup left tackle while Sills can work at both guard spots. With Danny Pinter out for the season, French steps in as the backup center.
Defensive Line
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String | 3rd String |
| DE | Samson Ebukam | Jacob Martin | |
| 3-Tech | DeForest Buckner | Taven Bryan | Adetomiwa Adebawore |
| 1-Tech | Grover Stewart | Eric Johnson II | |
| DE | Kwity Paye | Dayo Odeyingbo | Tyquan Lewis |
Analysis: This group is probably the deepest on the entire roster. Paye and Ebukam will serve as the starting edge rushers while Odeyingbo and Lewis will mix in as well. Martin is a new addition and fits perfectly as a LEO-type edge rusher. Depth behind the defensive tackle is still a question mark, but there is upside.
Linebacker
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String | 3rd String |
| WILL | Shaquille Leonard | Grant Stuard | |
| MIKE | Zaire Franklin | Segun Olubi | Cameron McGrone |
| SAM | E.J. Speed | Isaiah Land |
Analysis: The starting trio is a formidable group, especially if Leonard is truly healthy. Stuard proved he can be a solid fourth linebacker while Olubi and McGrone will serve on special teams. Land was claimed off waivers and likely will bring more of an edge rusher presence to the linebacker room.
Cornerback
| Pos. | 1st String | 2nd String |
| CB | Darrell Baker Jr. | Julius Brents |
| Slot | Kenny Moore II | Tony Brown |
| CB | Dallis Flowers | Jaylon Jones |
Analysis: The starting cornerbacks have been solidified since the start of training camp while the rookies in Brents and Jones will compete for more playing time as the season rolls on. This is a young, inexperienced group, but one that may be exciting to watch.
Safety
| Pos. | First | Second |
| SS | Julian Blackmon | Nick Cross |
| FS | Rodney Thomas II | Trevor Denbow |
Analysis: Blackmon and Thomas II will serve as the starters is Gus Bradley’s defense, but the second-year player in Cross has proven worthy of a versatile role after a strong showing in training camp and the preseason.
Specialists
| Pos. | Name |
| P | Rigoberto Sanchez |
| K | Matt Gay |
| LS | Luke Rhodes |
Analysis: Sanchez is back after his season-long absence due to a torn Achilles. Gay is hoping to put an end to the kicking woes the Colts have dealt with over the last few seasons.
