The Indianapolis Colts are just over two weeks away from the start of training camp when several roster bubble players will be competing for a spot.
With so many starting spots already locked up, there are going to be a handful of players vying for limited spots on the roster. Training camp and the preseason games will help the Colts sift through the competition.
When looking at roster bubble players, we'll do our best to avoid the obvious. Most undrafted rookie free agents don't have much of a shot at making the roster, barring a surprising breakout at training camp.
Colts players on roster bubble entering training camp
RB Tyler Goodson
The same could be said about second-year back Evan Hull, but he may have a better chance at making the roster. Outside of dropping a pass that ended the Colts' season in 2023, Goodson brings some juice and upside as a receiving option out of the backfield.
However, there's a chance the Colts opt to keep three running backs on the roster. If they do, there will be an odd man out. There's also the chance they decide to keep four. If that's the case, Goodson is likely safe. Either way, this will be a position to watch behind Jonathan Taylor.
TE Mo Alie-Cox
Colts fans are probably tired of seeing this name when it comes to players who could potentially be cut or traded. However, Alie-Cox is likely the biggest name on the roster that has an actual chance of being a roster casualty.
Not that the Colts need it, but cutting or trading Alie-Cox would net them $5.9 million against the cap. It just means they don't have any financial investment in keeping him on the roster. If the four other tight ends prove to be more viable options during the preseason, Alie-Cox could be on the way out.
OT Jake Witt
Don't forget about Witt. The 2023 seventh-round pick is a project in the truest sense of the phrase, but he missed his entire rookie season due to a hip injury. An elite athlete who is still learning how to play football, Witt could sneak himself onto the 53-man roster.
The more likely scenario is that Witt continues to develop his game on the practice squad, but the Colts are intrigued by his elite athleticism. It will be interesting to see where he is in the pecking order when training camp arrives.
G/C Danny Pinter
The arrival of two draft picks puts Pinter's roster chances in jeopardy. The former fifth-round pick was already behind the eight-ball in 2023 before a torn ACL ended his season before it could truly begin. Now, he's fighting for a roster spot altogether.
Pinter will be battling behind rookies Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini for one of the final roster spots in the offensive line room. Depending on how many offensive linemen the Colts keep, Pinter is right on the fringe of the roster.
DT Eric Johnson
It's not often a mid-Day 3 pick turns out to be a rotational player. However, that's been Johnson's role for the past two seasons. The issue has been that Johnson hasn't provided much production as a run-stopping defensive tackle behind Grover Stewart. Sometimes it can take some time, especially with a small school prospect like Johnson.
Entering training camp, though, Johnson will be fighting for a roster spot. The Colts added veteran Raekwon Davis as depth behind Stewart, which means Johnson could be the odd-man out in the defensive line room if he doesn't show any improvements.
CB Micah Abraham
Not much was heard about the sixth-round pick during the spring practices. He's competing for one of the depth spots as a nickel cornerback, but the room is relatively crowded. Of course, it's not crowded to the point where he can't break out with a strong preseason.
The Colts' selection of Abraham was peculiar in the sense that he's not an elite athlete. Typical Day 3 picks for the Colts harp on athleticism. Instead, they opted to go with a prospect who showed immense prowess with his ball skills. We'll see if the rookie out of Marshall can make an impact.
DB Jaylin Simpson
Another Day 3 rookie who will need a strong preseason to secure his roster spot, the flexibility Simpson brings as a nickel defender and free safety should help his cause. He also fits the notion of an elite athlete who has a higher ceiling if he can reach it.
Like Abraham, not much was reported about Simpson during the spring workouts. That's not totally unorthodox as a Day 3 pick, but it was clear there weren't any big plays from the rookie. Either way, he'll be an intriguing player to watch as he competes with several veterans for a depth role in the secondary.
LB Craig Young
If there's one undrafted free agent rookie with a chance to make the roster, it's Young. An explosive athlete with the type of length and build the Colts covet, Young could sneak onto the roster as the final linebacker in the room.
The Kansas product will have some competition in the way of Segun Olubi and Cameron McGrone, but he's an intriguing player to keep an eye on once the pads come on.
