Colts’ 53-man roster prediction before training camp
Indianapolis Colts training camp is just about here as the veterans report Tuesday in Westfield. That means it’s time for our final 53-man roster prediction before 2022 training camp begins.
The roster cuts won’t be all at once during the preseason. In fact, five are made following the first preseason game, bringing the roster down to 85 players. Then, another five are made following the second preseason game, bringing it down to 80 players. The final 27 cuts will then be made in one fell swoop following the third and final preseason game.
A lot will change over the course of training camp and the preseason, but we’re still going to make our prediction given the information we currently have.
Without further ado, here is our final 53-man roster prediction for the Colts entering 2022 training camp:
Quarterback (2)
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
1. Matt Ryan
2. Nick Foles
An entirely new quarterback room for the Colts, this may be the most experienced group yet of Frank Reich’s tenure. With Ryan coming in as the starter and Foles filling in as the backup, there’s no need to keep three quarterbacks on the roster, no matter how much they love Sam Ehlinger.
Notable Cuts: Sam Ehlinger, Jack Coan
Running Back (4)
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Nyheim Hines
3. Phillip Lindsay
4. Deon Jackson
The Colts rolled with four running backs last year while making Marlon Mack a healthy scratch on game days for the majority of the second half. Taylor and Hines form one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL. Lindsay appears to be on track to secure the RB3 role, but his lack of special teams work means Jackson reprises his role from 2021.
Notable Cuts: Ty’Son Williams, D’vonte Price, C.J. Verdell
Wide Receiver (6)
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1. Michael Pittman Jr.
2. Parris Campbell
3. Alec Pierce
4. Ashton Dulin
5. Dezmon Patmon
6. De’Michael Harris
The first four spots here are essentially locked in. Pierce and Campbell will be battling it out for the WR2 role opposite Pittman Jr. but at worst, one of them will still see significant snaps even as the WR3. Patmon enters camp with the best chance to secure the WR5 role while Harris may be a surprise selection for the final spot. With Mike Strachan missing the entire spring and now starting camp on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury, he has a lot of catching up to do. It may be too much for him if he misses too much time.
Notable Cuts: Mike Strachan, Keke Coutee
Tight End (4)
AP Photo/Terrance Williams
1. Mo Alie-Cox
2. Kylen Granson
3. Jelani Woods
4. Andrew Ogletree
At the beginning of the offseason, it didn’t look like the Colts would be keeping four tight ends. However, the love they have for Ogletree is real. It might be to the point where they won’t want to risk putting him through waivers to get him on the practice squad. Alie-Cox slides into the starting role after signing a three-year contract extension while Granson is hoping to take on a larger role in the passing game in Year 2. Rookies Woods and Ogletree both have immense upside given their athletic profiles but may need a little time before they start producing.
Notable Cuts: None
Offensive Line (9)
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
1. Matt Pryor
2. Quenton Nelson
3. Ryan Kelly
4. Danny Pinter
5. Braden Smith
6. Bernhard Raimann
7. Dennis Kelly
8. Will Fries
9. Ryan Van Demark
The first six players here are locks to make the roster. The battle at left tackle will be the one with the most eyes on it at camp between Pryor and Raimann. If Dennis Kelly is healthy, he has a very strong chance to make the roster considering his versatility to work at four spots along the offensive line. The final two spots in the room will be down to the second-year player in Fries, the undrafted Demark and a veteran in Jason Spriggs. If all things are equal, we’re going with the youth and upside.
Notable Cuts: Jason Spriggs
Defensive Line
AP Photo/AJ Mast
1. Yannick Ngakoue
2. DeForest Buckner
3. Grover Stewart
4. Kwity Paye
5. Dayo Odeyingbo
6. Chris Williams
7. Curtis Brooks
8. Ben Banogu
9. Ifeadi Odenigbo
The Colts want to keep a high number of defensive linemen to keep them fresh. The emergence of Paye and Odeyingbo will be key to how this unit rotates its pieces. The latter is expected to work both on the edge and the interior. Williams makes the cut as the best choice for the backup one-technique while Brooks has the skills to work at both interior spots. Banogu is on the bubble but might benefit from the scheme change under Gus Bradley. Odenigbo makes the cut as we’re projecting Tyquan Lewis to start the season on the PUP list, forcing him to miss a minimum of four games.
Notable Cuts: Eric Johnson, Bryan Cox
Linebacker (6)
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
1. Darius Leonard
2. Bobby Okereke
3. Zaire Franklin
4. E.J. Speed
5. Brandon King
6. Sterling Weatherford
Leonard started camp on the PUP list but can still return at any time before Week 1. Meanwhile, the other three spots are locked in. King was brought in this offseason as a special teams addition. The Colts always seem to have at least one linebacker in the room who works solely on special teams. That’s why King makes the cut here. The final spot comes down between two undrafted rookies who are coming off of strong spring outings. We go with the athletic upside of Weatherford over Jojo Domann.
Notable Cuts: Jojo Domann
Cornerback (6)
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
1. Stephon Gilmore
2. Kenny Moore II
3. Isaiah Rodgers
4. Brandon Facyson
5. Tony Brown
6. Anthony Chesley
The addition of Gilmore this offseason could be a serious benefit to the entire defense. On the other side, it appears Moore will be attending training camp despite his current contract dispute with the team. As Rodgers and Facyson battle it out for the CB3 role, the final two spots will be up for grabs. Brown provides difference-making speed while Chesley gets the nod over seventh-round pick Rodney Thomas II, who has intriguing upside but needs development.
Notable Cuts: Rodney Thomas II, Marvell Tell III, Chris Wilcox
Safety (4)
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
1. Julian Blackmon
2. Nick Cross
3. Rodney McLeod
4. Armani Watts
The surprise retirement of Khari Willis changes this room a lot. The third-round pick in Cross is likely thrust into a starting role, especially with McLeod starting camp on the PUP list. It remains to be seen how much time Watts will see on defense because if he’s solely a special teamer, more depth will be needed.
Notable Cuts: Trevor Denbow
Specialists (3)
AP Photo/Michael Conroy
1. Rigoberto Sanchez
2. Luke Rhodes
3. Rodrigo Blankenship
Sanchez and Rhodes are locks to make the roster. Blankenship is fighting for his role as the kicker for the third season in a row with Jake Verity joining the roster on a futures contract. Verity impressed the Baltimore Ravens during the 2021 preseason, which means he could be the one to usurp Blankenship. But for now, it’s the latter’s job to lose.
Notable Cuts: Jake Verity
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