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INDIANAPOLIS – The turnover that typically runs rampant around the NFL has not hit the Colts much this offseason.
First, they re-signed 6 of their 15 unrestricted free agents.
Their current roster of 73 players, which can/will grow to 90 after the draft, has some impressive numbers in continuity.
-The Colts bring back 21 of 22 starters from their Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs.
-Of the 53 players on the Colts roster on that January day, 46 of them are still on the roster.
But there are some depth chart questions that need to be answered over the next few months.
What are those?
-How does the wide receiver depth chart play out?
This group has plenty of youth in it.
Some of it will be tapped into as the Colts do replace Ryan Grant and Dontrelle Inman, who combined to start 14 games last year, catching 63 balls for 638 yards and 4 touchdowns.
That second receiver spot is the only starter that the Colts are ‘replacing’ in 2019, with Devin Funchess the clear early favorite for that.
Even if Funchess secures that No. 2 WR spot, the rest of the depth chart is up for grabs.
Watching this bunch evolve over the next few months will be fascinating.
-Does the offensive line depth receive any upgrades?
Matt Slauson is gone from last year, but the Colts have their entire offensive line group returning besides him..
Chris Ballard likes the depth with the likes of Evan Boehm, Josh Andrews, Joe Haeg, Le’Raven Clark and J’Marcus Webb.
But upgrades should not be ignored, given the natural attrition that always arises.
Ballard will not shy away from an attractive offensive line prospect in the draft, especially if that comes at the tackle position.
-The competition along the defensive line is real
Even if the Colts defensive line doesn’t receive help in the draft, it’s still going to be a really difficult group to cut down later this year.
The Colts want to play 7-8 guys each game, with no one’s playing time rising above 60-65 percent of the snaps.
Matt Eberflus is going to have a fun time trying to mix and match guys up front with Al Woods and Geneo Grissom the only defensive linemen no longer around from last year.
-The young linebackers are without a veteran
The Colts currently have 6 linebackers on the roster. All are under the age of 24.
Is Chris Ballard good with the youth across an entire position group?
Last year, this bunch did have Najee Goode as their elder statesman, but currently they will ride with a much, much younger unit.
Anthony Walker—going into this third NFL season and with 25 games of experience—is the most experienced LB in the room.
-Finding some secondary insurance
This is an item on the off-season priority list for Chris Ballard.
Pierre Desir and Clayton Geathers were re-signed, but both corner and safety need some bolstering as you get deeper into their respective depth charts.
You have young corners that used to be starters, on various levels, with Quincy Wilson, Nate Hairston and Jalen Collins.
At safety, the injury questions atop the depth chart means some reinforcements are needed to feel good about that depth moving forward.
