The Indianapolis Colts are in the second week of OTAs to continue their process of getting prepared for the 2024 season.
For Indy’s defensive side of the ball, there is competition for starting jobs and roles on all three levels of the ball.
The offensive depth chart projection can be found here.
Let’s take a look at an early projection on what the Colts defensive depth chart will look like come opening day:
Colts depth chart projection on defense
Defensive Line
LEO: Samson Ebukam
One-Tech: Grover Stewart
Three-Tech: DeForest Buckner
DE: Kwity Paye
EDGE Backups: Laitu Latu, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land
IDL Backups: Raekwon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Taven Bryan
Practice Squad Candidates: Titus Leo, Eric Johnson II, Jonah Laulu
The competition across the defensive front is going to be fierce this summer. Buckner and Stewart are locked in as the starting interior defensive linemen but Ebukam and Paye will have to keep Odeyingbo and Latu off their heels to hold onto their starting spots throughout the season.
This is a deep group that Chris Ballard will have to make difficult decisions on when the 53-man roster is due late this summer.
Linebacker
MLB: Zaire Franklin
WLB: E.J. Speed
Money-backer: Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Backups: Segun Olubi, Jaylon Carlies, Grant Stuard
Practice Squad Candidates: Liam Anderson, Cameron McGrone, Craig Young
Franklin and Speed are locked in as the top linebackers on the depth chart but the roles outside the pair are open for the taking. Harrison Jr.’s 2023 experience gives him the edge for the money-backer role Gus Bradley implemented last season but if Carlies continues to make plays then the rookie could have a larger role sooner than later.
Cornerback
LCB: JuJu Brents
Nickel: Kenny Moore II
RCB: Dallis Flowers
Backups: Jaylon Jones, Jaylin Simpson, Chris Lammons
Practice Squad Candidates: Darrell Baker Jr., Micah Abraham, Ameer Speed
Outside of Moore II, the two boundary cornerback spots are up for grabs this summer which will come down between Brents, Flowers, and Jones. Regardless of which one ends up not getting a starting role, he will work in the rotation and Simpson will look to carve out a spot in the rotation as well.
Safety
SS: Julian Blackmon
FS: Nick Cross
Backups: Daniel Scott, Rodney Thomas II
Practice Squad Candidates: Trevor Denbow, Michael Tutsie, Marcel Dabo
Blackmon is locked in as the strong safety for the Colts but free safety is an open competition. I give the early nod to Cross because of his flashes and the expectation that he will take the next step in Year 3. The free safety spot on the depth chart could look different in the next few months if Chris Ballard does dip into the free-agent mark.
For more Colts coverage, check out Cody Manning's work on Sporting News.
