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Following the 2025 NFL draft, where the Indianapolis Colts made eight selections, let's make a way-too-early prediction of what their 53-man roster this season might look like coming out of training camp.
Of course, the caveat to all of this, since it is late April, is that a lot can change depending on what takes place over the summer. But with that said, for the most part, this roster evaluation--at least at this time of the year--feels fairly cut and dry.
The most difficult decision for me came at cornerback, and there was some maneuvering that had to take place between the safety and linebacker spots, given the lack of depth at safety specifically.
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
The Colts have rostered three quarterbacks during both of Shane Steichen's seasons and after spending a draft pick on Leonard, he will slot into that role.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
Ballard said he wanted more production from the running backs on the depth chart behind Jonathan Taylor, so he added Herbert in free agency and used a draft pick on Giddens.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
For all the reshaping this Colts roster needed this offseason, this was a position that didn't have to be touched.
Tight end (4): Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Tyler Warren gives the Colts tight end room that much-needed pass-catching presence, but he'll also add a toughness to the offense, as both Steichen and Ballard have mentioned, and brings a do-it-all skill set as well.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Jalen Travis
I still have my questions about the right guard position, but adding Jalen Travis in the draft at least bolsters the tackle depth, giving the Colts the flexibility to move Matt Goncalves inside.
Defensive line (10): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau, Tim Smith
Compared to my pre-draft roster prediction, Tuimoloau took a roster spot from Isaiah Land and Smith, meanwhile, can hopefully help improve the level of play behind Buckner and Stewart--something that is greatly needed after last season.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Liam Anderson
Alright, here's where some maneuvering took place. I know Wohler was listed as a linebacker, but the safety options behind Cam Bynum, Nick Cross, and Rodney Thomas include Daniel Scott and Marcel Dabo. So to maximize the roster space, I have Wohler at the safety position, which then allowed me to keep Liam Anderson at linebacker, who has contributed on special teams in the past.
Another way to think about this is that I chose to keep Anderson over Dabo and Scott.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Justin Walley
This was the most difficult decision. Keeping seven cornerbacks isn't in the cards, so I was left to decide between keeping Corey Ballen and Sam Womack. Ultimatley, with Ballentine nearing his age 30 season and Womack still just 26, I went with the younger player. Also, I know Ballentine was just signed, but if the Colts were to release him, the dead cap hit is only $482,500, per Over the Cap.
Safety (4): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Hunter Wohler
We already discussed my reasoning behind how this position group turned out. Adding another safety in free agency before training camp may not be a bad idea.
Special teams (3): Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The Colts did sign a kicker in undrafted free agency, but this is Shrader's job to lose.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft recap: Way-too-early Colts 53-man roster projection
Continue reading...
Of course, the caveat to all of this, since it is late April, is that a lot can change depending on what takes place over the summer. But with that said, for the most part, this roster evaluation--at least at this time of the year--feels fairly cut and dry.
The most difficult decision for me came at cornerback, and there was some maneuvering that had to take place between the safety and linebacker spots, given the lack of depth at safety specifically.
Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster projection after 2025 NFL draft
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
The Colts have rostered three quarterbacks during both of Shane Steichen's seasons and after spending a draft pick on Leonard, he will slot into that role.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens
Ballard said he wanted more production from the running backs on the depth chart behind Jonathan Taylor, so he added Herbert in free agency and used a draft pick on Giddens.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
For all the reshaping this Colts roster needed this offseason, this was a position that didn't have to be touched.
Tight end (4): Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Tyler Warren gives the Colts tight end room that much-needed pass-catching presence, but he'll also add a toughness to the offense, as both Steichen and Ballard have mentioned, and brings a do-it-all skill set as well.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Jalen Travis
I still have my questions about the right guard position, but adding Jalen Travis in the draft at least bolsters the tackle depth, giving the Colts the flexibility to move Matt Goncalves inside.
Defensive line (10): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, JT Tuimoloau, Tim Smith
Compared to my pre-draft roster prediction, Tuimoloau took a roster spot from Isaiah Land and Smith, meanwhile, can hopefully help improve the level of play behind Buckner and Stewart--something that is greatly needed after last season.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Liam Anderson
Alright, here's where some maneuvering took place. I know Wohler was listed as a linebacker, but the safety options behind Cam Bynum, Nick Cross, and Rodney Thomas include Daniel Scott and Marcel Dabo. So to maximize the roster space, I have Wohler at the safety position, which then allowed me to keep Liam Anderson at linebacker, who has contributed on special teams in the past.
Another way to think about this is that I chose to keep Anderson over Dabo and Scott.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Justin Walley
This was the most difficult decision. Keeping seven cornerbacks isn't in the cards, so I was left to decide between keeping Corey Ballen and Sam Womack. Ultimatley, with Ballentine nearing his age 30 season and Womack still just 26, I went with the younger player. Also, I know Ballentine was just signed, but if the Colts were to release him, the dead cap hit is only $482,500, per Over the Cap.
Safety (4): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Hunter Wohler
We already discussed my reasoning behind how this position group turned out. Adding another safety in free agency before training camp may not be a bad idea.
Special teams (3): Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
The Colts did sign a kicker in undrafted free agency, but this is Shrader's job to lose.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft recap: Way-too-early Colts 53-man roster projection
Continue reading...
