INDIANAPOLIS – With the arrival of the Colts offseason program, it’s time to start penciling in a depth chart.
Yes, this will change. Yes, this is April.
But with the Colts starting their offseason program, and that potentially including some on-field work next month, let’s think about some starters and backups.
Here is an extremely early look at a Colts depth chart:
OFFENSE
-Quarterbacks: Carson Wentz, Jacob Eason, Jalen Morton
-Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Darius Anderson, Bobby LeMay, Paul Perkins
-Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell, DeMichael Harris, Ashton Dulin, J.J. Nelson
-Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman, Zach Pascal, Dezmon Patmon, Quartney Davis, Gary Jennings
-Tight End: Jack Doyle, Noah Togiai, Farrod Green
-Tight End: Mo Alie-Cox, Jordan Thomas, Andrew Vollert
-Left Tackle: Will Holden, Julie’n Davenport, Jake Benzinger, Eljah Nkansah
-Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Joey Hunt
-Center: Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter
-Right Guard: Mark Glowinski, Chris Reed, Jake Eldrenkamp, Sam Jones
-Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Sam Tevi, Carter O’Donnell, Casey Tucker
DEFENSE
-Defensive End: Isaac Rochell, Ben Banogu
-Defensive Tackle: Grover Stewart, Tyler Stallworth, Andrew Brown, Rob Windsor
-Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner, Tyquan Lewis, Chris Williams, Kameron Cline
-Defensive End: Al-Quadin Muhammad, Kemoko Turay
-WILL Linebacker: Darius Leonard, EJ Speed, Jordan Glasgow
-MIKE Linebacker: Bobby Okereke, Skai Moore
-SAM Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, Matthew Adams
-Cornerback: Xavier Rhodes, Rock Ya-Sin, Marvell Tell, Will Sunderland, Anthony Chesley
-Cornerback: Kenny Moore, T.J. Carrie, Isaiah Rodgers, Andre Chachere, Roderic Teamer
-Free Safety: Julian Blackmon, George Odum, Rolan Milligan, Nick Nelson
-Strong Safety: Khari Willis, Sean Davis, Ibraheim Campbell
SPECIALISTS
-Kicker: K-Rodrigo Blankenship
-Punter: P-Rigoberto Sanchez, P-Austin Rehkow
-Long Snapper: LS-Luke Rhodes
-Punt Returner: Nyheim Hines, Isaiah Rodgers, Parris Campbell, DeMichael Harris
-Kick Returner: Isiah Rodgers, Parris Campbell, Nyheim Hines, DeMichael Harris
Some Takeaways:
- Jacob Eason is going to get every chance to win the backup job here in 2021. We’ll see if the Colts add a 4th quarterback at some point this offseason.
- The backup running backs reps will be fluid, obviously. And the same could be said for the depth spots at wide receiver and tight end.
- Finding a 3rd tight end in the draft would be wise.
- Throw a dart at the board for the starting left tackle right now. We’ll go with Will Holden as the returner. This could (should) change during next week’s draft.
- When writing in a depth chart, it further stresses the need to find some edge rushers. Tyquan Lewis and Isaac Rochell are two versatile bodies up front.
- How the Colts handle the SAM linebacker position will be something to watch this offseason. They could go a number of ways, with mostly unproven options.
- Depth in the secondary, and how that plays out, is still very much up in the air.