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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have released their first depth chart of the 2019 regular season, with Sunday’s opener in Los Angeles.
With a 53-man roster now, there are some changes from the depth chart we saw during the preseason.
Here is a look at the ‘official’ depth chart now that the regular season is here:
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Quarterbacks: Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer
Bowen’s Analysis: Hoyer is the new backup in town after signing with the Colts on Monday.
Running Backs: Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jonathan Williams, Jordan Wilkins,
Bowen’s Analysis: This group remains intact from the end of last season, but some injury watches are there for the early part of the season with Wilkins and Williams. For now, the Colts are listing Williams ahead of Wilkins, who missed a month of camp/preseason.
Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Deon Cain, Parris Campbell*
Bowen’s Analysis: How the Colts look at the slot wide receiver position, plus at No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 remains to be seen. But Cain and Campbell have their arrows pointing straight up on the depth chart.
Wide Receiver: Devin Funchess, Zach Pascal, Chester Rogers
Bowen’s Analysis: It would be a bit surprising to see Pascal play a large receiving role in Sunday’s opener.
Tight End: Eric Ebron, Hale Hentges*
Bowen’s Analysis: Even though these two are listed at the same tight end spot, Hentges is more known for his blocking, whereas Ebron is more known for his receiving.
Tight End: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox
Bowen’s Analysis: Do not be surprised if the Colts use some three tight end sets during the 2019 season.
Left Tackle: Anthony Castonzo, Le’Raven Clark
Bowen’s Analysis: It was a pretty sad group of reserve left tackles this offseason, with Clark continuing to hold this job behind Castonzo.
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Joe Haeg
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts kept just 8 offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, so some position flex will be needed.
Center: Ryan Kelly, Josh Andrews
Bowen’s Analysis: Andrews moved ahead of Evan Boehm early in camp and will backup Ryan Kelly.
Right Guard: Mark Glowinski, Joe Haeg
Bowen’s Analysis: Is Haeg the odd man out of the 7-man offensive line group that dresses on game day?
Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Le’Raven Clark
Bowen’s Analysis: Clark is the swing tackle on the depth chart.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Left Defensive End: Jabaal Sheard, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ben Banogu*
Bowen’s Analysis: Muhammad is the likely starter until Sheard gets back. But when third-down comes, Muhammad could be taken off the field for more of a speed rusher.
Defensive Tackle: Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis, Jihad Ward
Bowen’s Analysis: If Lewis can show some interior rush ability, does he push for third-down action?
Nose Tackle: Margus Hunt, Grover Stewart
Bowen’s Analysis: We finally saw a depth change at nose tackle, based off what was sent out in the preseason. The big bodied Stewart is the backup at nose.
Right Defensive End: Justin Houston, Kemoko Turay
Bowen’s Analysis: Turay is probably the team’s top speed rusher and could see some early looks on third down.
WILL Linebacker: Darius Leonard, EJ Speed*
Bowen’s Analysis: Leonard isn’t coming off the field.
MIKE Linebacker: Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke*
Bowen’s Analysis: This position battle coming into camp was won by Walker. We will see if Okereke can sneak into any passing down roles.
SAM Linebacker: Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin
Bowen’s Analysis: The rookie Speed got some early looks in camp at this spot, but the more run-focused Adams and Franklin are listed here.
Cornerback: Kenny Moore, Quincy Wilson, Ryan Lewis
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts have a clear top 4 corners, with Wilson giving this team plenty of versatility, including backing up Moore in the slot role.
Cornerback: Pierre Desir, Rock Ya-Sin*, Marvell Tell*
Bowen’s Analysis: The last time we saw the starters in the preseason, it was Ya-Sin over Wilson in the nickel package.
Strong Safety: Clayton Geathers, Khari Willis*
Bowen’s Analysis: Willis is the 3rd safety right now and saw some action in sub packages throughout the preseason, and was also used in place of a resting Geathers.
Free Safety: Malik Hooker, George Odum
Bowen’s Analysis: Odum is probably the 4th safety on the depth chart, but will play a huge special teams role.
Specialists: LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Adam Vinatieri
Bowen’s Analysis: This group returns in-tact for a third straight season, with all three of these guys receiving new contracts in the offseason.
Kick Return: Zach Pascal, Nyheim Hines
Bowen’s Analysis: Is Parris Campbell anywhere close to entering this picture? Campbell has a better chance at finding a role at kick returner first, than punt returner.
Punt Return: Chester Rogers, Nyheim Hines
Bowen’s Analysis: Rogers is going to continue to maintain this roster spot, unless the Colts can find some other body to return punts.
*Rookie