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INDIANAPOLIS – The media watched the Colts a half dozen times this spring in full-team practice settings.
While several key Colts missed the spring due to various injuries, there are some takeaways from a depth chart before the team heads to Training Camp in late July. Obviously, nothing is set in stone until the pads get put on and preseason games are played come August.
A reminder that the following ‘expected’ starters missed various time during the spring: QB-Andrew Luck, WR-T.Y. Hilton, TE-Eric Ebron, TE-Jack Doyle, DE-Jabaal Sheard, LB-Darius Leonard, LB-Anthony Walker, CB-Quincy Wilson, S-Clayton Geathers.
Here’s a look at the depth chart following the spring offseason program.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Quarterbacks: Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Walker, Chad Kelly
Bowen’s Analysis: With Luck missing the offseason program, it was Brissett getting another spring as QB1. The talented Kelly will have a chance to prove his worth as a No. 3 QB at camp/during the preseason.
Running Backs: Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Spencer Ware, Jonathan Williams
Bowen’s Analysis: This was Mack’s first true healthy spring in 3 NFL seasons. The Colts rotated a lot behind Mack this spring, with Frank Reich calling Hines the ‘third-down’ option for this team. Wilkins, Ware and Williams will have a great battle to claim any leftover reps.
Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Parris Campbell*, Marcus Johnson, Steve Ishmael, Penny Hart*
Bowen’s Analysis: For now, it’s Rogers above Campbell based off what we saw in the spring. Of course, the expectation is Campbell will have a major role in 2019 and could/should supplant Rogers in August. Both guys operated out of the slot for much of the spring.
Wide Receiver: Devin Funchess, Zach Pascal, Deon Cain, Reece Fountain, Krishawn Hogan, Jordan Veasy, Ashton Dulin*
Bowen’s Analysis: ACL rehab kept Cain on the sideline this spring. Pascal was running as the 4th or 5th wideout during the spring. If Cain proves his health early in camp, the Coltls might have room for just one more receiver to make their 53-man roster.
Tight End: Eric Ebron, Ross Travis, Gabe Holmes
Bowen’s Analysis: Travis is coming off a torn ACL, but has shown some nice receiving ability when healthy. He should be good to go for the start of Training Camp.
Tight End: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox, Billy Brown, Hale Hentges*
Bowen’s Analysis: Doyle and Alie-Cox are the most consistent three-down tight end options for Indianapolis. Alie-Cox was the clear spring starter with Doyle and Ebron missing virtually the entire OTAs and mini-camp.
Left Tackle: Anthony Castonzo, Antonio Garcia, Le’Raven Clark, Jackson Barton*
Bowen’s Analysis: Clark, a third-round pick in 2016, is in the final year of his rookie contract and is getting pushed heavily by Garcia, a former third-round pick of New England in 2017. Although, Garcia being suspended for the first 4 games of 2019 won’t help his cause. Clark was even getting some reps at right guard during mini-camp.
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Josh Andrews, William Poehls
Bowen’s Analysis: The Javon Patterson torn ACL has put more of an onus on the Colts needing a guy like Andrews.
Center: Ryan Kelly, Evan Boehm
Bowen’s Analysis: With 7th round pick Javon Patterson tearing his ACL this spring, Boehm’s presence as the top reserve is even more important.
Right Guard: Mark Glowinski, Jake Eldrenkamp, Nico Siragusa
Bowen’s Analysis: Eldrenkamp was signed by the Colts late in the spring and looked to be moving up the depth chart quickly.
Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Joe Haeg, J’Marcus Webb
Bowen’s Analysis: Haeg could play multiple spots especially with Webb, 30, returning on a one-year deal.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Left Defensive End: Jabaal Sheard, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Carroll Phillips, Obum Gwacham
Bowen’s Analysis: Muhammad actually was a starter late last season once Tyquan Lewis went on IR. With Sheard sidelined for much of the spring, Muhammad was the starter opposite Justin Houston
Defensive Tackle: Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis, Jihad Ward
Bowen’s Analysis: Lewis and Ward are two pretty nice ‘backups’ for a D-line group that wants to rotate a lot.
Nose Tackle: Margus Hunt, Grover Stewart, DT-Caraun Reid, Sterling Shippy*
Bowen’s Analysis: Hunt better be ready for full-time defensive tackle duty after some end work last year. At 333 pounds, Stewart weighs 28 pounds more than any other Colts defensive lineman, besides the undrafted free agents.
Right Defensive End: Justin Houston, Kemoko Turay, Ben Banogu Gerri Green*, Dadi Nicholas
Bowen’s Analysis: Well, we have to slot Banogu down at defensive end after how the Colts used him in the final month of the offseason program. Turay or Banogu, two former second-round picks, will have a very difficult time earning consistent playing time this year.
WILL Linebacker: Darius Leonard, EJ Speed*, Ahmad Thomas
Bowen’s Analysis: With Leonard sidelined for the spring, the Colts actually used a variety of guys at the WILL, with Speed earning a few starting reps.
MIKE Linebacker: Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke*, Skai Moore
Bowen’s Analysis: Okereke did sneak into some passing down packages later in the spring offseason program. Walker is still the favorite to start though, but this is a battle worth monitoring (something that really can’t be said too many places).
SAM Linebacker: Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin, Tre Thomas*
Bowen’s Analysis: We thought Banogu would get the nod here, but the Colts used him much more at defensive end this spring. Adams was the starting SAM last year, when the Colts did go down that route against run-heavy teams.
Cornerback: Kenny Moore, Nate Hairston, Chris Milton, Marvell Tell*, Shakai Taylor*
Bowen’s Analysis: After a tough 2018, Hairston had a nice spring. Milton is someone we can’t forget about given his special teams presence.
Cornerback: Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Rock Ya-Sin*, Jalen Collins
Bowen’s Analysis: For now, Ya-Sin is still behind the top three cornerbacks on the roster. This is such a deep group and how it plays out come camp will be very interesting. But the 34th overall pick did show some good things when Wilson was sidelined for mini-camp. This willl be a good battle to round out that nickel package.
Strong Safety: Clayton Geathers, George Odum, Khari Willis*, Derrick Kindred
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts still remain very high on Odum. Does Willis, who the Colts traded up for in the 4th round, push for any sub package time in Training Camp? Willis was mostly a 2nd or 3rd team safety in the spring, with Geathers sidelined.
Free Safety: Malik Hooker, Matthias Farley, Roland Milligan, Isaiah Johnson
Bowen’s Analysis: The cerebral Farley returns on a one-year deal after he ended last season on IR. Hooker was healthy throughout the spring for the first time in 3 NFL seasons.
Specialists: LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Adam Vinatieri, K-Cole Hedlund*
Bowen’s Analysis: This group returns in-tact for a third straight season, with the addition of a rookie camp leg to help out the 46-year-old Vinatieri.
*Rookie
