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Let's take a way-too-early look ahead to what the Indianapolis Colts' 53-man roster could look like for the 2025 season following the first wave of NFL free agency.
Now, of course, there is plenty of roster-shaping to take place. We could see some small free agent moves still made, and the Colts have seven selections in this year's NFL draft.
But after the first week of free agency, we've seen GM Chris Ballard reshape the secondary, find Anthony Richardson's competition, and bolster depth at several positions, including the offensive line with some re-signings, as well as at defensive tackle and running back with some outside additions.
So here is how the Colts' final roster could shake out, given what we know right now:
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Jason Bean
In both of Shane Steichen's seasons as head coach, we've seen the Colts roster three quarterbacks on the 53-man. Will Bean be ready to take that step? We will see, but right now, that's what we are going to project.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson
Goodson was the Colts' third running back last season as well. This is a position we should see the Colts still add to in the draft, where there is a ton of talent in this year's class.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
The same room as last year. Of all the positions that needed to be added to this offseason, this was not one of them for the Colts.
Tight end (4): Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Draft pick
This is the one big need that Ballard has not gotten to yet, which isn't surprising at this time. This year's free agent class was quite thin at the tight end position, while the draft class is one of the stronger position groups in this year's class.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Wesley French
Defensive line (9): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land
I'll lump the offensive and defensive lines together here. Last year, we saw the Colts keep 10 players at each position group, but as of now, I have only nine--which isn't abnormal. However, I think it does speak to the Colts being short-handed depth-wise at these positions compared to a year ago. Look for Ballard to address both positions in the draft.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Draft pick
The Colts need to find one more starting-caliber presence for this position group. Perhaps Carlies can be the second nickel linebacker next to Franklin, but there should be competition for that role.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
A completely different room than what we saw last season and with the additions made, I think we see the Colts go heavier here and keep six cornerbacks, especially with how vital this position group is in Lou Anarumo's defense.
Safety (5): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, Draft pick
Even with Bynum, this is a position that very much needs to be added to yet for depth. Like cornerback, I would see the Colts going heavier here than what they have in past years as well.
Special teams (3): Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The only thing to watch here is that the Colts did bring back kicker Spencer Shrader.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: 53-man roster prediction after free agent signings
Continue reading...
Now, of course, there is plenty of roster-shaping to take place. We could see some small free agent moves still made, and the Colts have seven selections in this year's NFL draft.
But after the first week of free agency, we've seen GM Chris Ballard reshape the secondary, find Anthony Richardson's competition, and bolster depth at several positions, including the offensive line with some re-signings, as well as at defensive tackle and running back with some outside additions.
Colts free-agent signings
- CB Charvarius Ward
- S Cam Bynum
- QB Daniel Jones
- IDL Neville Gallimore
- RB Khalil Herbert
- CB Corey Ballentine
So here is how the Colts' final roster could shake out, given what we know right now:
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Jason Bean
In both of Shane Steichen's seasons as head coach, we've seen the Colts roster three quarterbacks on the 53-man. Will Bean be ready to take that step? We will see, but right now, that's what we are going to project.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson
Goodson was the Colts' third running back last season as well. This is a position we should see the Colts still add to in the draft, where there is a ton of talent in this year's class.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
The same room as last year. Of all the positions that needed to be added to this offseason, this was not one of them for the Colts.
Tight end (4): Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Draft pick
This is the one big need that Ballard has not gotten to yet, which isn't surprising at this time. This year's free agent class was quite thin at the tight end position, while the draft class is one of the stronger position groups in this year's class.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Wesley French
Defensive line (9): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land
I'll lump the offensive and defensive lines together here. Last year, we saw the Colts keep 10 players at each position group, but as of now, I have only nine--which isn't abnormal. However, I think it does speak to the Colts being short-handed depth-wise at these positions compared to a year ago. Look for Ballard to address both positions in the draft.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Draft pick
The Colts need to find one more starting-caliber presence for this position group. Perhaps Carlies can be the second nickel linebacker next to Franklin, but there should be competition for that role.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
A completely different room than what we saw last season and with the additions made, I think we see the Colts go heavier here and keep six cornerbacks, especially with how vital this position group is in Lou Anarumo's defense.
Safety (5): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, Draft pick
Even with Bynum, this is a position that very much needs to be added to yet for depth. Like cornerback, I would see the Colts going heavier here than what they have in past years as well.
Special teams (3): Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The only thing to watch here is that the Colts did bring back kicker Spencer Shrader.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: 53-man roster prediction after free agent signings
Continue reading...
