The Indianapolis Colts have been…patient…off season, to put it simply.
With some major gaps in the listing, they have addressed some but still have important needs remaining while many suitable and affordable candidates have found new homes in a free agency.
However, the Colts are still as they have always been under general manager Chris Ballard, so it should come as no surprise. They set prices for players and positions and they hardly budge on them.
With not many NFL veterans available to make the difference, and the 2022 NFL draft only three weeks away, it’s safe to say the latter is where the Colts will look to fortify their roster.
As we approach the fever pitch in a recent draft, here’s what the Colts slate looks like right now.
rear quarter
- Matt Ryan, Sam Ellinger, James Morgan
- Urgency: low
The Colts replaced Carson Wentz, who was an erratic as the team’s starting quarterback last season and later was replaced by Matt Ryan, one of the most accomplished passers-by of this generation. Ryan should thrive with Frank Reich as coach and his successor, Jonathan Taylor. At least, you know what you’re getting out of Ryan’s week by week.
The Colts hardly have any experience behind Ryan should he ever lose, as Sam Ellinger and James Morgan had no combined NFL passes between them. However, the Colts rode with Ehlinger as backup for most of last season when he was a rookie, so there’s no reason to think they’re still uncomfortable with that in 2022.
Overall, the Colts are in good shape in the middle with an above average start and a clever backup who knows how to play safe.
running back
- Jonathan Taylor, Nahum Hines, Dion Jackson
- Urgency: low
Taylor became a superstar in 2021, leading the league in a hurry. Behind him, Hines became one of the NFL’s best passing players and improved his yards for every transfer and reception in each of his four seasons. RB3 Deon Jackson is good as a backup but does most of his work in private teams.
The Colts are doing well on the backcourt, but they need deeper players for training camp and pre-season. Although Jackson is a good player, he is not guaranteed a place on the roster, so he will likely face competition over the next several weeks.
wide future
- Michael Bateman Jr., Paris Campbell, Desmond Batemon, Mike Strachan, Kiki Coty, Michael Harris
- Urgency: high
The Colts might say they’re comfortable with the receivers they already have but based on what we’ve seen from the players on the roster, those of us outside the organization have good reason to worry.
Behind Michael Bateman Jr., none of Desmond Batmon, Paris Campbell, Mike Strachan, Kiki Coty and Demichel Harris spent much time on the field last season; Combined 15 catches for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. The silver lining is that Ryan is a midfielder who helps the young players around him develop by putting them in the right place. His predecessor, Wentz, was not of the same kind.
The players on the roster have done well by the Colts and say positive things about their receiving teams, but there is plenty of debate about their admiration for this year’s receiver class in the draft. They love the guys they have, sure, but that doesn’t mean they won’t add to the group.
tight end
- Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Farrod Green, Eli Wolf, Michael Jacobson, Nikola Kalinic
- Urgency: medium
The narrow end is a little better placed than the receiver, but not by much. As the depth chart is currently in place, the Colts need to step up Mo Alie-Cox and be “the guy” in the narrow end chamber, which was vacated when Jack Doyle retired. They also need Kylen Granson to evolve into the kind of threat they have framed him. Both would be a show of faith by the Colts, but not unrealistic expectations.
However, they can use at least one other player who is able to play real shots. Farrod Green has had six NFL hits in his career while Eli Wolf, Michael Jacobson, and Nikola Kalinic have had none.
offensive line
- extra time – Braden Smith, Matt Pryor, Sean Coleman, Carter O’Donnell, Jordan Murray
- Urgency: high
- IOL – Quinton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter, Will Fries
- Urgency: medium
The Colts technically have a header on tackle left at Matt Pryor, but if they can’t find someone they like better before the season starts, they at least need depth. If Pryor falls, are you comfortable with Sean Coleman, Carter O’Donnell or Jordan Murray protecting Ryan’s blind side?
The interior of the line is in better condition. Quinton Nelson and Ryan Kelly need no introduction, and it looks like Danny Pinter is set to start from the right guard. Pinter is only relied upon when someone else drops but he did a good job whenever his number was called. It’s time for him to move into the starting line-up.
Go to follow
In an ideal world, the Colts would continue to look out for competition on left-handed interference and add depth along the streak.
line of defense
- from – Kuwaiti Bay, Yannick Ngakui, Tequan Lewis, Daewoo Odiengbo, Ben Banugo, Cameron Klein
- Urgency: medium
- IDL – DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Chris Williams, RJ McIntosh
- Urgency: medium
This group has a lot more pop than they did this time last year, but it actually lost some depth of quality. They have three legit guys who can get to the quarterback in Yannick Ngakoy, Deforest Buckner, and Quetta Bay. Tyquan Lewis is coming off a season-ending knee injury last year so we shouldn’t expect him to be the same right away, and sophomore Dayo Odeyingbo is expected to jump. Chris Williams is a bluff player who can deliver some quality shots, and anything the ponies take out of Ben Banujo is a plus.
However, Colts Muhammed and Taylor Stallworth are lost to free agency, and Kimoko Toray makes overseas visits. Those three account for 14.5 sacks and 16 stoppages to lose in 2021.
The ponies have some players that should be excited to develop but can use one or more proven players to gain depth.
line backer
- Darius Leonard, Bobby Okerek, Zaire Franklin, EJ Speed, Jordan Glasgow, Jefferson Owner
- Urgency: low
Linebacker is one of the groups that ponies can feel the best at right now. Darius Leonard continues to be one of the best and most productive overall defenders in the NFL, and Bobby Okerek and Zaire Franklin are juniors at MIKE and SAM, respectively. EJ Speed is a young, athletic, long-range defender who fills in well when needed.
With Matthew Adams leaving for the Chicago Bears, the Molts could use their late draft linebackers to become a quality special team.
corn
- Kenny Moore II, Isaiah Rodgers, Brandon Faison, Tony Brown, Marvel Till III, Anthony Chesley, Chris Wilcox, Will Redmond, Alexander Myers
- Urgency: medium
Cornerback is currently in good shape for the Colts, but they can use a veteran (or pick a high draft).
Brandon Vasison and Ichizia Rodgers starting on the outside with Kenny Moore second in the slot is a reasonable starting trio but it would be nice to see someone else vying for a starting role because the team doesn’t have free agent Xavier Rhodes’ corner, and they traded a rock. Yassen. For that matter, TJ Carrie is also a free agent.
The depth in the corner is not exceptional and could use another trigger or two. Tony Brown is a seasoned veteran, Marvel Tail III, Anthony Chesley and the rest will need to prove themselves to stay on the roster.
safety
- Julian Blackmun, Harry Willis, Rodney McLeod, Armani Watts
- Urgency: low
Safety was a pretty big issue for the Colts who came off the season with virtually no depth behind Julian Blackmon and Harry Willis, but they have erased it over the past week by adding two veterans Rodney McLeod and Armani Watts. McLeod should be counted on to provide variety as the third safety (we saw this play a significant role last year with injuries to both Blackmon and Willis), while Watts provide depth and support for special teams.
The Colts will likely add at least other players through the draft and the uncrafted free agent pool.
special teams
- K – Rodrigo Blankenship, Jake Ferretti
- q – Rigoberto Sanchez
- LS – Luke Rhodes
- h – Rigoberto Sanchez
- KR / PR – Isaiah Rodgers/Neheim Haynes
- Urgency: low
There is nothing wrong with the Colts Special Team. Placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship had a solid junior season and was on track for another good season before getting hurt in 2021. Michael Badgley was signed and filled well but is still a free agent.
Rigoberto Sanchez is one of the most consistent punters in the league and he also handles kick-starting and kick-starting tasks. He is as reliable as they come and works extremely well with his coverage team.
As for the return leg, Rodgers and Ashton Doolin’s return to kickoffs and Heinz’s re-shoots is a big game waiting to happen at any moment.
The Colts have lost some high-quality free-agency special team members at Adams and George Odom, so they may be looking to make up for what they lost there.
What do you think of the list of ponies currently? Leave your thoughts below in the comments section!
follow jake Twitter And Facebook Jake Arthur. Follow Horseshoe Huddle at Facebook And Twitter.
The indie draft guide is here! Get your copy today!