The Indianapolis Colts are set to wrap up the offseason workout program this week with a mandatory minicamp before breaking for summer.
The three-day minicamp is the first time players are contractually required to attend workouts. Everything up to this point has been voluntary, though the Colts have had excellent attendance when it comes to non-injured players.
There are a few differences between OTAs and minicamp. Firstly, minicamp is mandatory, and teams can fine players who don't attend without an excused absence. Secondly, minicamp has more of a training camp feel to it, especially considering the days are a bit longer between field work and time in the classroom.
MORE: Colts depth chart projections — Offense | Defense
There still won't be live contact or pads being worn during minicamp, but this is the closest the Colts will get to training camp before it actually arrives.
The Colts' mandatory minicamp begins Tuesday, June 4 and runs through Thursday, June 6. The media will be present at all three practices.
Here are five things to watch as Colts begin minicamp:
Colts begin mandatory minicamp: 5 things to watch
Anthony Richardson's progress
We're not going to not talk about Richardson. The electric quarterback has had no limitations during the offseason workouts over the last few weeks and has been showing some impressive development in key areas as a passer.
MORE: Colts QB Anthony Richardson projected for electric season
The 22-year-old athletic specimen will have all eyes on him as he continues to develop his game. This will be the last time we see Richardson until training camp begins at the end of July so hopefully, there will be some highlights.
Colts injury updates
There will be plenty of eyes on a number of Colts players who are dealing with injuries. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was held out of the second week of OTAs due to a knee injury he sustained when he bumped knees with Jaylon Jones. He was held out due to precaution so it will be interesting to see how the Colts handle minicamp.
MORE: Colts injury updates after OTAs
Right tackle Braden Smith (knee) and WR Ashton Dulin (knee) have yet to practice during the offseason. Smith had offseason surgery on his knee while Dulin is still working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered during the 2023 preseason.
Cornerback competition
Through OTAs, the Colts gave a glimpse of what the cornerback depth chart looks like. Entering minicamp, Kenny Moore II and Julius Brents seem locked in as two of the starters in nickel packages. There's a competition taking place for the other starting role.
That spot currently belongs to second-year cornerback Jaylon Jones, who has the upper hand over Dallis Flowers and Darrell Baker Jr. as the offseason comes to a close. This is a vital position for the Colts so it will certainly be one to monitor.
Rookie standouts
There aren't a whole lot of starting roles up for grabs when it comes to the rookie class, but there have been some flashes from a few players thus far. Linebacker Jaylon Carlies impressed during the first week of OTAs, and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell was one of the standouts during the second week.
It's difficult to gauge the performance of players like edge rusher Laiatu Latu along with offensive linemen Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini considering the fact that pads aren't being worn. But it will be interesting to see if any noise comes from players like Micah Abraham, Jaylin Simpson and Jonah Laulu—Day 3 picks who have yet to make their mark.
QB3 battle
The competition between Sam Ehlinger and undrafted rookie Kedon Slovis won't make a ton of headlines, but it will be a battle to watch during minicamp and training camp. How many reps they get remains to be seen, but there's a legit competition taking place.
Both Ehlinger and Slovis offer some high-end abilities as runners so it will be interesting to see if either one of them proves to be the better passer.
For more Colts coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
