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A major storyline throughout training camp and the preseason are the positional battles that take place. However, the reality for the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL is that the majority of the roster spots on the 53-man are already accounted for.
By my estimation, I have 43 players on this Colts roster who I fully expect to be on the initial 53-man roster when it's announced in a few days--along with a few near locks as well. That means just 10 roster spots--or so--are up for grabs.
Here is who those roster locks are and why.
While many speculate on Richardson's future, we'll assume he's going to be on the team. Perhaps it's bold to put Leonard in the lock category, but Shane Steichen has rostered three quarterbacks each of his first two seasons.
Tyler Goodson has seemingly had the RB3 edge as of late over Khalil Herbert, who has been sidelined with an injury as of late. However, Goodson is working through his own injury at this time as well.
If the Colts keep a fourth tight end, which is common, I'm penciling in Will Mallory for that role, and I think he has a pretty tight grasp on that roster spot. However, I'm not going to quite call him a lock.
I could have put this list together back in April.
The first five names are the starters. Pinter will back up Bortolini, Tucker is a backup guard, and Travis is the swing tackle. Luke Tenuta seems to be the frontrunner for the next spot after his play against Green Bay.
I really don't think there is much mystery at the defensive end position. Isaiah Land was on the roster last year but had a small role on defense, and the Colts have since added Tuimoloau and gotten Ebukam back, although he's been sidelined recently with a back injury.
I'm tempted to put Cameron McGrone and Austin Ajiake in this category because Lou Anarumo mentioned them by name when discussing the potential committee approach at linebacker. However, I'm not ready to say with certainty that Segun Olubi won't be on the 53-man either. Those three are competing for what is likely two spots.
JuJu Brents is playing in Saturday's game, which says to me he's not a roster lock. I also expect Chris Lammons to be on this team after his play against Green Bay and special teams experience. If that's the case, Brents, Alex Johnson, Samuel Womack, and Johnathan Edwards are competing for potentially just one roster spot.
Daniel Scott probably takes the fourth spot here with Hunter Wohler out for the season, but I wouldn't consider that a given at this time.
Shrader was competing with Maddux Trujillo for the kicker job, but that battle ended before the second preseason game.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts roster projection: 43 players are locks to make team
Continue reading...
By my estimation, I have 43 players on this Colts roster who I fully expect to be on the initial 53-man roster when it's announced in a few days--along with a few near locks as well. That means just 10 roster spots--or so--are up for grabs.
Here is who those roster locks are and why.
Quarterbacks: 3
- Daniel Jones
- Anthony Richardson
- Riley Leonard
While many speculate on Richardson's future, we'll assume he's going to be on the team. Perhaps it's bold to put Leonard in the lock category, but Shane Steichen has rostered three quarterbacks each of his first two seasons.
Running backs: 2
- Jonathan Taylor
- DJ Giddens
Tyler Goodson has seemingly had the RB3 edge as of late over Khalil Herbert, who has been sidelined with an injury as of late. However, Goodson is working through his own injury at this time as well.
Tight ends: 3
- Tyler Warren
- Mo Alie-Cox
- Drew Ogletree
If the Colts keep a fourth tight end, which is common, I'm penciling in Will Mallory for that role, and I think he has a pretty tight grasp on that roster spot. However, I'm not going to quite call him a lock.
Wide receiver: 6
- Michael Pittman
- Josh Downs
- Alec Pierce
- AD Mitchell
- Anthony Gould
- Ashton Dulin
I could have put this list together back in April.
Offensive line: 8
- Bernhard Raimann
- Quenton Nelson
- Tanor Bortolini
- Matt Goncalves
- Braden Smith
- Danny Pinter
- Jalen Travis
- Dalton Tucker
The first five names are the starters. Pinter will back up Bortolini, Tucker is a backup guard, and Travis is the swing tackle. Luke Tenuta seems to be the frontrunner for the next spot after his play against Green Bay.
Defensive line: 8
- Kwity Paye
- Laiatu Latu
- Samson Ebukam
- Tyquan Lewis
- JT Tuimoloau
- DeForest Buckner
- Grover Stewart
- Neville Gallimore
I really don't think there is much mystery at the defensive end position. Isaiah Land was on the roster last year but had a small role on defense, and the Colts have since added Tuimoloau and gotten Ebukam back, although he's been sidelined recently with a back injury.
Linebacker: 3
- Zaire Franklin
- Jaylon Carlies
- Joe Bachie
I'm tempted to put Cameron McGrone and Austin Ajiake in this category because Lou Anarumo mentioned them by name when discussing the potential committee approach at linebacker. However, I'm not ready to say with certainty that Segun Olubi won't be on the 53-man either. Those three are competing for what is likely two spots.
Cornerback: 4
- Charvarius Ward
- Kenny Moore
- Xavien Howard
- Jaylon Jones
JuJu Brents is playing in Saturday's game, which says to me he's not a roster lock. I also expect Chris Lammons to be on this team after his play against Green Bay and special teams experience. If that's the case, Brents, Alex Johnson, Samuel Womack, and Johnathan Edwards are competing for potentially just one roster spot.
Safety: 3
- Nick Cross
- Cam Bynum
- Rodney Thomas
Daniel Scott probably takes the fourth spot here with Hunter Wohler out for the season, but I wouldn't consider that a given at this time.
Special teams: 3
- Rigoberto Sanchez
- Luke Rhodes
- Spencer Shrader
Shrader was competing with Maddux Trujillo for the kicker job, but that battle ended before the second preseason game.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts roster projection: 43 players are locks to make team
Continue reading...
