Projecting the Colts' roster locks entering preseason opener
WESTFIELD -- The Colts are two weeks through training camp and are ready to hit someone new for a change. Those challenges are coming, as they will travel to Buffalo on Saturday for the preseason opener and then host the Lions for two joint practices next week.
Much of the back half of the roster still has to be determined, based on how players perform against these other teams. But two weeks have turned some players into roster locks and have helped inch the roster closer to completion.
Here's how it's shaping up as the preseason arrives (*-rookie):
Quarterbacks
Starter: Matt Ryan
Roster locks: Nick Foles
Other depth: Sam Ehlinger, Jack Coan
Analysis: Although the Colts are on their fifth starter in five seasons, they don't have much to figure out at quarterback this camp. Matt Ryan has run the first team and stolen reps along the way with the second unit as he's trying to catch the rest of the passing game up to his hyper tempo. Though he hasn't made too many "wow" throws yet, he's brought consistent accuracy and ball placement to these settings, though he has run into a few interceptions. He and Foles are signed on deals that will keep them locked in as the top two quarterbacks through next year.
The Colts don't have a need for any quarterbacks beyond them right now, though they like Sam Ehlinger and could try to squeeze him on the practice squad.
Running backs
Starter: Jonathan Taylor
Roster locks: Nyheim Hines
Other depth: Philip Lindsay, Deon Jackson, D'Vonte Price, C.J. Verdell, Ty'Son Williams
Analysis: Another settled position on the Colts' roster comes in the backfield. Jonathan Taylor looks like his explosive, rushing-title self, and the goal will be to limit his carries in order to maintain the same efficiency in a safer manner. That will spell an increased role for Nyheim Hines, though much of that boost will come in the passing game, where he's catching passes out of the backfield as well as lining up at the various wide receiver spots. Indianapolis has toyed more with playing both at the same time.
FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Insider: When Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines are on field together, Colts offense is lethal
The third running back job is up for grabs. Philip Lindsay has appeared quick and decisive in the hole, showcasing the abilities that allowed him to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Broncos. But at 5-foot-8 and 190 pounds, he doesn't bring much special teams value, which has traditionally been the role for a third back in a Taylor-Hines backfield. Deon Jackson has brought some of that in the past. C.J. Verdell has also had a few explosive runs in camp.
Wide receivers
Starters: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Parris Campbell
Roster locks: Ashton Dulin
Other depth: Dezmon Patmon, Michael Strachan, Ethan Fernea, Isaiah Ford, D.J. Montgomery, Samson Nacua, Keke Coutee, DeMichael Harris, Michael Young Jr.
Analysis: Training camp has mostly backed up the notions about the Colts' receiving corps coming into it. Michael Pittman Jr. shows up consistently and steadily as a reliable No. 1 target regardless of the coverage. Parris Campbell can flash strong hands and a smooth run-after-catch style in the middle of the field, when he's out there. Alec Pierce has tools, but they haven't translated in 11-on-11 settings or beyond his top couple of routes. Ashton Dulin is the one player who has locked up a job in camp, as he's made physical catches that add to his special teams value.
The preseason games are where the Colts will desperately search for fifth and sixth options. They might not exist. Keke Coutee has been the most steady so far, and Michael Strachan still needs to get on the field after a knee injury. Playing at least a quarter with Ryan will allow the receivers to build a little chemistry.
Tight ends
Starter: Mo Alie-Cox
Roster locks: Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Kylen Granson
Other depth: Michael Jacobson, Nikola Kalinic, Eli Wolf
Analysis: The tight ends have been as up-and-down as the receivers so far in training camp. None of them have really shown out relative to the league's standard for playmaking. Mo Alie-Cox has made several catches across the middle, but they're limited in explosiveness. Drew Ogletree has done the same, looking steady for a sixth-round rookie who has now locked his spot on the roster. Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson have struggled at times, but both will be given a learning curve on this team. Keeping four tight ends seems like a lock at this point.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Matt Pryor, LG Quenton Nelson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Danny Pinter, RT Braden Smith
Roster locks: OT Bernhard Raimann, OG Will Fries
Other depth: OT Dennis Kelly, OT Ryan Van Demark, C Alex Mollette, C Wesley French, OT Brandon Kemp, OT Jordan Murray, OT Brandon Kemp, OT Shon Coleman, OT Carter O'Donnell, G Josh Seltzner
Analysis: The Colts came into camp looking to break in two new starters with three Pro Bowl-caliber ones, and so far, they've all managed to stay healthy together. The same top five have been out there the entire time, and the drop-off to the second unit is noticeable. That should lock in Danny Pinter as the new right guard and Matt Pryor as the new left tackle, for at least as long as they're able to keep the jobs with performance.
Among the backups, Bernhard Raimann is on a learning track but seems to be improving and Will Fries has a clear lane to a backup interior spot. Dennis Kelly should be the swing tackle, but he hasn't practiced since Aug. 1.
TEXAS HEAT, BOXING AND YANNICK NGAKOUE: How Matt Pryor's turning himself into a left tackle
Defensive line
Starters: DEs Yannick Ngakoue and Kwity Paye; DTs DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart
Roster locks: Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Eric Johnson
Other depth: Ben Banogu, Curtis Brooks, Caeveon Patton, Byron Cowart, RJ McIntosh, Kameron Cline, Chris Williams, Bryon Cox
Analysis: The Colts have installed a new approach to the defensive line in Gus Bradley's Seattle-style scheme that has players hungry to get after the quarterback. Yannick Ngakoue has set the tone with his intensity in 1-on-1 drills and team settings, looking like a natural fit in the LEO edge position. DeForest Buckner looks healthy and explosive again, and Grover Stewart and Kwity Paye help fill out the starting line, with Dayo Odeyingbo playing inside and outside depending on the situation.
Tyquan Lewis has looked explosive for a player coming off a patellar tendon tear. Fifth-round rookie Eric Johnson's first step has flashed to lock in a roster spot for him as well. R.J. McIntosh has been disruptive enough to create a competition with sixth-round rookie Curtis Brooks. Ben Banogu and Ifeadi Odenigbo are battling it out for the backup LEO spot.
Linebackers
Starters: Shaquille Leonard, Bobby Okereke
Roster locks: EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin
Other depth: JoJo Domann, Forrest Rhyne, Sterling Weatherford, James Skalski, Jordan Glasgow, Brandon King
Analysis: The Colts have plugged away at training camp despite being without their top linebacker so far. Shaquille Leonard has yet to practice after starting on the Physically Unable to Perform List following a surgery to correct a nerve issue in his back that brought pain to his calf. The Colts are hopeful he will be back for the start of the season but are not yet sure.
That's allowed other linebackers to shine in Bradley's man-match coverage principles. Bobby Okereke has played strong coverage with consistently, and he and E.J. Speed have both picked off passes. Zaire Franklin has been physical and around the ball. Given Franklin's and Speed's special teams abilities, it's easy to envision just one open spot for this group, barring Leonard's health.
JoJo Domann, an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska, has been one of the most impressive young players in camp with his physicality in coverage and run defense. If he can fit on special teams, he should have a good chance at making the final roster.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Stephon Gilmore, Kenny Moore II, Brandon Facyson
Roster locks: Isaiah Rodgers
Other depth: Chris Wilcox, Will Redmond, Alexander Myres, Tony Brown, Dallis Flowers, Marvel Tell III, Anthony Chesley
Analysis: The strongest position on the Colts roster in training camp has been the cornerbacks. Kenny Moore II has been steady, of course, but Stephon Gilmore has ramped up the intensity with his ability to jump any route and make physical plays on the receiver and on the ball. Brandon Facyson has looked like a seamless fit so far on the other outside spot, given his length and history with Bradley and cornerbacks coach Ron Milus. That's given him the edge on Isaiah Rodgers, who has made some nice plays on the ball but has lost some size battles as well.
The depth spots behind the top four are very much up for grabs, with nobody standing out clearly above any others. Anthony Chesley has made a few plays, and Tony Brown brings some inside-outside versatility, but spots remain open that should hold a priority with special teams.
Safeties
Starters: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross
Roster locks: Rodney McLeod, Armani Watts
Other depth: Rodney Thomas, Will Redmon, Trevor Denbow, Marcel Dabo
Analysis: The Colts' safety room changed a good deal this offseason, as the only returning member is Julian Blackmon, who missed the final 11 games last year with a torn Achilles. He's been the steadying force, playing in the single-high, deep middle third looks that define Bradley's scheme. He's been full-go since the start of camp, and the Achilles seems to be in his rear-view mirror now.
The Colts have a battle going on at the other safety spot, as Rodney McLeod brings more of a voice as a longtime veteran than rookie Nick Cross does, though Cross has avoided mistakes and flashed some playmaking as well. Armani Watts hasn't played much at the safety spots, but he's a lock for his special teams ability.
Marcel Dabo is the other lock to be a part of the team through the NFL's international player pathway program, as he will not count for a practice squad spot this season. He's been working as the backup free safety, but his likely route to any playing time as a rookie would be on special teams.
Special teams
Roster locks: P Rigoberto Sanchez, LS Luke Rhodes, KR Isaiah Rodgers, PR Nyheim Hines
Other depth: K Rodrigo Blankenship, K Jake Verity
Analysis: Most of the Colts' special teams are exactly what they were a year ago, when they finished in the top 10 by Football Outsiders' DVOA efficiency metric. It's been a steady if unexciting camp for Rigoberto Sanchez, Rodgers, Hines and Luke Rhodes.
The kicking battle is the one competition to iron out, as Rodrigo Blankenship and Jake Verity are both 13 of 15 on field goals so far in camp. They'll rotate by the half to start the preseason as the Colts look for consistency they haven't had out of a kicker for a few years now.
Contact Colts insider Nate Atkins at natkins@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @NateAtkins_.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts: Projecting the roster locks entering preseason opener
