Insider: Projecting the Colts' initial 53-man roster

INDIANAPOLIS — For years, NFL teams have been quick to remind everybody that the roster built in the cuts at the end of training camp is anything but a “final” roster.

The old adage might apply to the Colts more than ever this season.

Indianapolis, like every team in the NFL, must whittle its roster down from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday, and then teams begin to pounce on the players suddenly available on the waiver wire. By virtue of their disastrous 2022 season, the Colts are fourth in waiver priority, allowing Indianapolis to essentially have its picks of the litter on the waiver wire.

And with several spots on the roster that remain thin, Indianapolis could be remarkably active on the waiver wire, making Tuesday’s 53-man roster less “final” than most seasons.

With that in mind, here’s a stab at how the Colts, 27-13 winners over the Eagles in Thursday night's preseason finale, will whittle things down initially, before building the 16-man practice squad that will feature a lot of players who aren’t on the 53-man roster when the season first opens.

Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger (3)

Analysis: Richardson, the first-round pick the Colts are trying to develop into their next franchise passer, has been the starter for two weeks. Minshew represents a solid backup, both for his knowledge of Shane Steichen’s offense and his ability to mentor the rookie. Ehlinger is the wild card; NFL rules now allow a team to play an inactive third quarterback if the first two go down, and Ehlinger does have respect in the locker room.

Running backs

Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, Evan Hull (3)

Analysis: Jonathan Taylor remains the elephant in the room here. The Colts have granted the running back permission to find a trade partner, and even if he doesn’t, Indianapolis will have to decide whether or not to put him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to open the season. With all of that uncertainty swirling, better to focus on the guys who will be here, led by Moss, who should be close to coming back from the broken arm that cost him most of training camp. Veteran Kenyan Drake was never able to climb the depth chart after being signed.

Wide receivers (5)

Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie, Juwann Winfree

Analysis: The top three receivers have been set for a long time — Pittman Jr., Pierce and Downs — and Steichen acknowledged last week that the fourth and fifth receivers are going to have to be players who contribute on special teams. McKenzie appears to be the team’s primary punt returner, and Winfree might be better able to offer something in the coverage units than Breshad Perriman or James Washington, two veterans who can get deep in a hurry.

Tight ends (5)

Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory

Analysis: Five tight ends is a lot, and it likely depends on the health of Woods, who’s missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury. Each of these five play different roles, and Granson and Ogletree can be starters on special teams, allowing the Colts to keep five, including Mallory, a developmental rookie with good downfield speed and receiving skills.

Offensive line (9)

Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dan Skipper, Carter O’Donnell, Dakoda Shepley

Analysis: The injury Danny Pinter suffered on Thursday night against Philadelphia throws a wrench into the plans for an offensive line that desperately needs depth, and could be a place the Colts look to add after the deadline to reduce the roster. The top five, the same five that ended the season a year ago, have been clear throughout the offseason. Freeland’s inexperience and Skipper’s experience make a depth combo at tackle, O’Donnell started at guard in Philly in place of Fries, and Shepley has experience. But this is still a place the Colts could, and probably need, to add.

Defensive line (9)

DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Eric Johnson, Taven Bryan

Analysis: The final couple of spots on the defensive line were some of the hardest to handicap. Bryan signed a one-year deal with $3 million in guarantees, but he had a fairly quiet training camp, and it opened the door for a second-year player like Johnson, who flashed good penetration skills and has the ability to play the nose. If the Colts decide to keep an extra defensive end — a need that could be lessened by the versatility of Odeyingbo, Lewis and Adebawore — Al-Quadin Muhammad’s experience makes him good depth in case of injury, but rookie sixth-round pick Titus Leo also flashed some speed off the edge.

Linebacker (5)

Shaquille Leonard, Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Grant Stuard, Segun Olubi

Analysis: The health of JoJo Domann could throw a wrench into this projection, but for the moment, the surplus of tight ends on the roster — and the ability of some to play special teams — allows Indianapolis to go a little light at linebacker. Leonard is recovering from a concussion, but he, Franklin and Speed are expected to get the majority of the defensive reps. Stuard was a whirling dervish on defense and special teams throughout training camp, and although Olubi is still learning, he packs a punch that should help in the kicking game.

Cornerbacks (7)

Kenny Moore II, Darrell Baker Jr., Dallis Flowers, JuJu Brents, Darius Rush, Jaylon Jones, Tony Brown

Analysis: Injuries to Brents and Rush, the team’s top two rookies at the position, kept a real competition for the starting outside jobs from developing, and it looks like the gig will initially go to Baker Jr. and Flowers, a pair of undrafted free agents in their second seasons in the NFL. Jones and Brown both play gunner on special teams, leading to Indianapolis keeping a lot of players at cornerback.

Safeties (4)

Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II, Nick Cross, Trevor Denbow

Analysis: Indianapolis signed a couple of veterans late in training camp, but the Colts have stuck with their safety rotations throughout the fall. Cross offers the versatility to play both safety spots and the nickel in case of injury, and Denbow’s speed has always made him a good special teamer.

Special teams

Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes

Analysis: Indianapolis is expecting Gay, the high-priced free agent, to end the uncertainty the Colts have had at kicker since Adam Vinatieri’s final season.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: Projecting the initial 53-man roster