Colts' 53-man roster projection update after first week of training camp

Kevin Hickey

Colts' 53-man roster projection update after first week of training camp image

The Indianapolis Colts have gotten through one week of training camp practices at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

With a pair of padded practices under their belt, the Colts have gotten a better idea of where the roster stands going into the first preseason game, which is set for Sunday, Aug. 11 against the Denver Broncos.

There is still a long way to go before the 53-man roster is decided. Position battles will be most crucial during the preseason games, and injuries will be taken into account when the roster deadline arrives.

We projected the roster before the start of training camp. Now through the first week of camp, here's our latest roster projection for the Colts:

Rookies are marked in italics.

Colts' updated 53-man roster projection

Quarterback (2)

Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco

Analysis: There's not much to see here. Richardson has a chance to break out in his second season while Flacco is there as the backup. Expect Sam Ehlinger to be the emergency quarterback on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Running Back (3)

Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull

Analysis: Taylor is set as the starter with Trey Sermon the favorite as the backup. The Colts could keep four running backs, which means Tyler Goodson would make the cut. But they opt to keep five tight ends instead with Goodson potentially going to the practice squad because he's more likely to clear waivers than Hull.

Wide Receiver (6)

Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould

Analysis: There aren't many (if any) spots open in the wide receiver room. Pittman, Downs, Pierce and Mitchell will be the main quartet.

Tight End (5)

Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Jelani Woods, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory

Analysis: Last time we did a roster prediction, we had the Colts keeping four tight ends with Alie-Cox missing the cut. The battle throughout camp has been so ambiguous that they might just keep five tight ends and deal with a potential move after the rosters have been settled.

Offensive Line (9)

Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Matt Goncalves, Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter

Analysis: With the starting five returning along with Freeland, Goncalves and Bortolini essentially locked in, there are maybe one or two spots open on the offensive line. Last time, we went with Josh Sills, but his stock has fallen since the start of camp. So, we go with Pinter and his guard-center flexibility.

Defensive Line (9)

DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo, Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Raekwon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Titus Leo

Analysis: The loss of Samson Ebukam to a torn Achilles is a massive blow to what is viewed as the roster's strongest unit. It means a bigger role for Latu, Odeyingbo and Lewis while giving some fringe players a chance to make the roster. In this iteration, it's the second-year pass-rusher in Leo.

Linebacker (6)

Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Jaylon Carlies, Isaiah Land, Grant Stuard, Segun Olubi

Analysis: The Colts seem to have a potential gem in the rookie Carlies. The rest of the room seems set with special teamers. Undrafted rookie Craig Young is someone to watch during the preseason as a potential surprise.

Cornerback (6)

Julius Brents, Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Jaylin Simpson, Micah Abraham

Analysis: The competition at outside cornerback seems to be led by Brents and Jones through the first week of camp. Simpson has entered the conversation on the boundary as well while Abraham slips in as the backup nickel.

Safety (4)

Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison Jr.

Analysis: The safety room is in flux right now with Blackmon seemingly taking more reps at free safety. That suggests the Colts don't like what they've seen from Cross and Thomas. Harrison has shifted back from linebacker to safety. It would be wise to add Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs to this unit.

Specialists (3)

Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes

Analysis: Nothing to see here.

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Kevin Hickey

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Hickey was previously the managing editor of USA Today's Colts Wire. His work is also featured as a fantasy football analyst for The Huddle. A career .232 hitter, he is an avid reader of Spider-Man comics, an admirer of the James Webb Space Telescope, and a keen enthusiast of Ma’s sauce. You can find him on Twitter/X @KevinHickey11