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After the first wave of NFL free agency, what does the Indianapolis Colts roster outlook currently look like?
GM Chris Ballard said after the Colts' 2024 season that he and the team need to approach free agency differently--and to his credit, he did that.
The Colts came out swinging on the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period and completely reshaped their secondary with the additions of safety Cam Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. We've also seen some depth additions made at cornerback, the offensive line, running back, and the defensive line.
With those additions, as is the cost of doing business when there is only so much salary cap space to go around, the Colts have some needs to now address at defensive end and the interior offensive line with Dayo Odyeingbo and Will Fries signing elsewhere.
Below is a position-by-position look at where the roster currently sits with the first free-agency wave behind us. During the offseason and training camp, teams can have up to 90 players on their roster.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Jason Bean
We've seen in the past the Colts roster four quarterbacks through training camp, so there may be another addition coming either during the draft or after.
Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson, Salvon Ahmed
The addition of Herbert shouldn't stop the Colts from continuing to add here. Herbert signed just a one-year deal, and an added pass-catching presence could add another dimension to the offense. This is also a loaded running back draft class.
Wide receiver: Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, DJ Montgomery, Ajou Ajou
If the Colts don't make another addition here, they'll be just fine.
Tight end: Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Albert Okwuegbunam, Sean McKeon
This was the one pressing need we didn't see Ballard add to, but that shouldn't be a surprise. This year's tight end free agent class was only so-so, while the draft has several starting-caliber players.
Offensive line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Josh Sills, Atonio Mafi, Luke Tenuta, Jack Wilson
Without Fries in the picture and Matt Goncalves potentially moving to guard, finding some swing tackle help should be on Ballard's radar, along with interior offensive line depth. I also don't think competition for Goncalves at guard--who has spent his college and NFL career at tackle--would be a bad idea either.
Defensive line: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land, Durell Nchami, Pheldarius Payne
Odeyingbo led the Colts in pressures last season, so there is a fair amount of production to replace. Ideally, that comes from those already on the roster, but bolstering the competition should be in play. At defensive tackle, improving the level of play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart should be a must after how the last two seasons played out.
Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson
Maybe Carlies can step into the starting nickel linebacker role next to Zaire Franklin, but that shouldn't be assumed either, as he should have to compete for that job. Depth is a need as well with EJ Speed a free agent and Grant Stuard signing with Detroit.
Cornerback: Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine, David Long, Alex Johnson
As I mentioned above, what a turnaround here. This went from being a potential first-round pick for the Colts to now, they might not have to add to it if the board doesn't fall that way.
Safety: Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, Marcel Dabo
Bynum and Cross are your starters, but improving the depth behind them is still a priority.
Special teams: Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes, Spencer Shrader
As I wrote here, this is still Matt Gay's job, but keep your eyes on Schrader this summer.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: Roster outlook after first wave of signings
Continue reading...
GM Chris Ballard said after the Colts' 2024 season that he and the team need to approach free agency differently--and to his credit, he did that.
The Colts came out swinging on the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period and completely reshaped their secondary with the additions of safety Cam Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. We've also seen some depth additions made at cornerback, the offensive line, running back, and the defensive line.
With those additions, as is the cost of doing business when there is only so much salary cap space to go around, the Colts have some needs to now address at defensive end and the interior offensive line with Dayo Odyeingbo and Will Fries signing elsewhere.
Below is a position-by-position look at where the roster currently sits with the first free-agency wave behind us. During the offseason and training camp, teams can have up to 90 players on their roster.
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Jason Bean
We've seen in the past the Colts roster four quarterbacks through training camp, so there may be another addition coming either during the draft or after.
Running back: Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson, Salvon Ahmed
The addition of Herbert shouldn't stop the Colts from continuing to add here. Herbert signed just a one-year deal, and an added pass-catching presence could add another dimension to the offense. This is also a loaded running back draft class.
Wide receiver: Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, DJ Montgomery, Ajou Ajou
If the Colts don't make another addition here, they'll be just fine.
Tight end: Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Albert Okwuegbunam, Sean McKeon
This was the one pressing need we didn't see Ballard add to, but that shouldn't be a surprise. This year's tight end free agent class was only so-so, while the draft has several starting-caliber players.
Offensive line: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Josh Sills, Atonio Mafi, Luke Tenuta, Jack Wilson
Without Fries in the picture and Matt Goncalves potentially moving to guard, finding some swing tackle help should be on Ballard's radar, along with interior offensive line depth. I also don't think competition for Goncalves at guard--who has spent his college and NFL career at tackle--would be a bad idea either.
Defensive line: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land, Durell Nchami, Pheldarius Payne
Odeyingbo led the Colts in pressures last season, so there is a fair amount of production to replace. Ideally, that comes from those already on the roster, but bolstering the competition should be in play. At defensive tackle, improving the level of play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart should be a must after how the last two seasons played out.
Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson
Maybe Carlies can step into the starting nickel linebacker role next to Zaire Franklin, but that shouldn't be assumed either, as he should have to compete for that job. Depth is a need as well with EJ Speed a free agent and Grant Stuard signing with Detroit.
Cornerback: Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine, David Long, Alex Johnson
As I mentioned above, what a turnaround here. This went from being a potential first-round pick for the Colts to now, they might not have to add to it if the board doesn't fall that way.
Safety: Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Daniel Scott, Marcel Dabo
Bynum and Cross are your starters, but improving the depth behind them is still a priority.
Special teams: Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes, Spencer Shrader
As I wrote here, this is still Matt Gay's job, but keep your eyes on Schrader this summer.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts free agency: Roster outlook after first wave of signings
Continue reading...
