The Indianapolis Colts are set to begin Phase II of the offseason workout program with a set of new faces coming straight from the 2019 NFL Draft.
There is still a long way to go before the Colts begin thinking about cutting the roster down to 53 players, but it’s not too early to take a look at how things might shake out following the draft. Of course, the undrafted free agents will have an impact throughout the summer, but we’re going to take a crack at it anyway.
Here’s our 53-man roster projection for the Colts following the draft:
Quarterback (2)
Andrew Luck
Jacoby Brissett
There isn’t much to say about this room. If all goes according to plan, Luck will be the starter for the entire season while Brissett holds his valuable backup role. Trading Brissett will be a topic of discussion throughout the season but as of now, the Colts seem to be keeping him while dealing with the future when it comes.
Notable cuts: Phillip Walker
Running Back (4)
Marlon Mack
Nyheim Hines
Jordan Wilkins
Jonathan Williams
Unless the Colts do wind up adding a significant piece to the backfield, there shouldn’t be any changes expected to the unit. Though head coach Frank Reich likes to work in a rotation, Mack is expected to be the leader while Hines works in a change-of-pace role.
Wilkins will likely keep working in the event he needs to step into Mack’s role while Williams is a depth piece the Colts like.
Notable cuts: None yet
Wide Receiver (5)
T.Y. Hilton
Devin Funchess
Parris Campbell*
Deon Cain
Chester Rogers
The Colts could keep six wide receivers, but I doubt it. Hilton remains the leader while the Colts like the upside of Funchess working both on the boundary and in the slot.
Cain is still working his way back from ACL surgery but is expected to be ready for training camp. Campbell was a second-round pick in the draft, which basically secures his spot. Rogers will be battling a horde of wide receivers for the fifth spot, which is likely up for grabs by anyone.
Notable cuts: Daurice Fountain, Penny Hart, Marcus Johnson
Tight End (3)
Jack Doyle
Eric Ebron
Mo Alie-Cox
Most probably expect the Colts to carry four tight ends, which is absolutely possible. An argument could certainly be made for it, but I think they take a tight end away to add an extra offensive lineman.
There shouldn’t be any surprises to the three making the roster. As long as Doyle is healthy, he will remain the TE1 while Ebron will see his share of snaps. Alie-Cox showed a lot of promise in 2018 and gets the nod over Ross Travis due to his blocking ability.
Notable cuts: Ross Travis
Offensive Line (10)
Anthony Castonzo Evan Boehm
Quenton Nelson Le’Raven Clark
Ryan Kelly Javon Patterson*
Mark Glowinski Joe Haeg
Braden Smith J’Marcus Webb
Some might believe keeping 10 offensive linemen is too many, but Chris Ballard has always said that’s the number they aim for and given that’s the number they kept roster cuts in 2018, we’ll keep that trend going.
The starting five is known, barring any changes. Boehm is a nice depth piece on the interior to work at all three spots while Clark and Webb are the reserve tackles. Haeg can work at four spots on the offensive line, which secures his spot, while Patterson makes it due to his ability to play center.
Notable cuts: Jackson Barton*
Defensive Line (10)
Jabaal Sheard Denico Autry
Justin Houston Margus Hunt
Kemoko Turay Grover Stewart
Al-Quadin Muhammad Jihad Ward
Tyquan Lewis Gerri Green*
There’s a chance the Colts only keep nine defensive linemen given their latest influx of linebackers. Should that happen, I could see Green being added to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Other than that, there aren’t many surprises. The Colts like the veteran edge pieces in Sheard and Houston while Turay and Muhammad continue to develop. Lewis is a flex piece to work at the three-technique and on the edge.
The interior will likely start Autry and Hunt while Stewart serves as the only nose tackle, which is what keeps him on the roster. Ward is an intriguing depth piece that has shown the ability to thrive in the attacking front.
Notable cuts: Anthony Winbush
Linebackers (6)
Darius Leonard
Anthony Walker
Ben Banogu*
E.J. Speed*
Bobby Okereke*
Matthew Adams
This unit will undergo massive changes. There were three linebackers taken in the draft, all of which could wind up carving out roles. Leonard and Walker remain the starters at WILL and MIKE respectively while Banogu starts out as the SAM with the potential to rush at times.
Speed’s measurables and traits offer high upside while Okereke might wind up being one of the best picks in the draft for Indy. He’s likely to begin as a coverage backer in sub-packages. Adams keeps his spot due to his athleticism and ability to work as a SAM, which he did late in 2018.
Notable cuts: Zaire Franklin, Skai Moore
Cornerbacks (6)
Pierre Desir
Quincy Wilson
Kenny Moore
Rock Ya-Sin*
Chris Milton
Marvell Tell*
The Colts used their first second-round pick to add Ya-Sin, a prospect they believe will wind up being a starter soon. Desir, Wilson and Moore likely begin the season as the starters while Ya-Sin develops his game on the boundary.
The Colts really like Milton and his ability on special teams, which makes him kind of a lock. Tell was a safety prospect, but the Colts will be moving him to cornerback given his traits. I don’t think they would be able to cut him and get him back on the practice squad.
Notable cuts: Jalen Collins, Nate Hairston
Safety (4)
Malik Hooker
Clayton Geathers
Matthias Farley
Khari Willis*
This room has a lot to prove in 2019, especially when it comes to health. It’s unlikely they keep more than four players despite the heavy competition that will take place for that final spot. Hooker and Geathers are locked in likely as the starters.
Farley is a very solid rotational No. 3 safety that was re-signed after missing most of the year with an injury. The Colts love Willis, which is why he gets the spot to eventually make his way into the secondary in a heavy role. It’s tough cutting George Odum, but I think it becomes a numbers game.
Notable cuts: George Odum
Special Teams (3)
Adam Vinatieri
Luke Rhodes
Rigoberto Sanchez
For the third year in a row, this unit remains intact without any major questions. The only question really is how much longer Vinatieri wants to play. This has become a solid trio as Vinatieri continues to play well while both Rhodes and Sanchez have blossomed in their own right.
Notable cuts: None
