The Colts seem to have had a very strong draft class despite not owning a first-round pick, but we’ll see who can crack the roster in the coming weeks.
Quarterback (3)
Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard
Daniel Jones (Achilles) is on track for Week 1, and a trade didn’t materialize for Anthony Richardson Sr. this offseason—so the quarterback room projects to again include Jones, Richardson, and Riley Leonard in 2026. Assuming Jones doesn’t play in the preseason, Richardson and Leonard should see the bulk of the work along with Easton Stick.
Running back (3)
Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, Seth McGowan (R)
Indianapolis was fortunate to have Jonathan Taylor healthy for 17 games last year, but there is still a mystery about the backups behind the workhorse starter. The last time Taylor missed time in 2024, the team had Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson behind him, and now DJ Giddens heads into Year 2 as the backup with Seth McGowan taken in the seventh round as the favorite for No. 3 duties over Ulysses Bentley IV.
Wide receiver (5)
Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, Deion Burks (R)
Alec Pierce and Josh Downs are locked in as the top wideouts for the Colts, and roles are up for grabs behind them. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might get first crack at the No. 3 receiver spot, but don’t sleep on seventh-round rookie Deion Burks—who could have easily been taken on Day 2. I feel good about Ashton Dulin making it based on his contributions on special teams, and shining as a kick returner late last season could lead to former fifth-round pick Anthony Gould being released if Burks shines in camp. I want to also mention Laquon Treadwell, as although he might be cut for the third year in a row by Indy, he’s found his way onto the field in all 10 NFL seasons since being drafted—so the former Ole Miss star deserves a ton of credit for that.
Tight end (4)
Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
A lot of the offense for Indy will run through Jonathan Taylor, but trading away Michael Pittman Jr. probably had as much to do with them expecting a big year from Tyler Warren as it did the team needing to pay Alec Pierce. Behind Warren, three options are still expected to be kept with Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory almost certainly sticking over Sean McKeon and undrafted rookie Carson Towt.
Offensive tackle (3)
Bernhard Raimann, Jalen Travis, Blake Freeland
The Colts lost Braden Smith in free agency, but Jalen Travis at least made starts over the final four weeks of his rookie season after Smith went down with a concussion/neck injury—so the six-foot-eight tackle has experience under his belt as he becomes the full-time starter. Blake Freeland shouldn’t be in danger as the swing tackle, but maybe Luke Tenuta or undrafted rookie Nolan Rucci will find their way onto the roster.
Guard (4)
Quenton Nelson, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Farmer (R), Dalton Tucker
Matt Concalves established himself as a very good starter last year at right guard, so the selection of Jalen Farmer in the fourth round might be about thinking ahead to when Quenton Nelson calls it a career. We’ll see if Farmer gets somewhat of a developmental year with Dalton Tucker being the primary backup inside, but this group is likely set.
Center (2)
Tanor Bortolini, Jimmy Morrissey
Tanor Bortolini also showed well in his first season as a full-time starter, and there will be a wide-open competition behind him between Jimmy Morrissey, undrafted rookie Geno VanDeMark, and undrafted rookie Josh Kreutz. The recent signing of Kreutz suggests the Colts are seeking more at the pivot, so a trade for depth wouldn’t be a surprise.
Interior defensive line (6)
Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Colby Wooden, Derrick Nnadi, Jerry Tillery
I’m excited to see Adetomiwa Adebawore continue to develop in his fourth season after 4.0 sacks in 2025, but the Colts added a few pieces up front this offseason with Colby Wooden signed from the Packers and Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery coming over from Kansas City. That might not leave room for anyone else to make it, but undrafted rookie Cameron Ball is a name to watch this summer, and Tim Smith was taken in the sixth round last year.
Edge defender (6)
Laiatu Latu, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Arden Key, Micheal Clemons, George Gumbs Jr. (R), Caden Curry (R)
On the edge, Indy added Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency before taking George Gumbs Jr. (fifth round) and Cade Curry (sixth round) in the draft—so it’s clear improved depth on the defensive line was a focus for them. I originally had Curry left off in favor of another safety making it, but general manager Chris Ballard might lean towards his draft picks if it’s a close call.
Linebacker (4)
Akeem Davis-Gaither, CJ Allen (R), Bryce Boettcher (R), Jaylon Carlies
Things haven’t quite come together to take the next step as a team, but the Colts always seem to have great values fall to them in the draft—and rookie CJ Allen (taken No. 53 overall) could prove to be an absolute steal at middle linebacker. He’ll join Akeem Davis-Gaither as a starter, and fourth-round pick Bryce Boettcher should also see snaps in Lou Anarumo’s defense. The final spot at linebacker projects to be a five-way battle between Jaylon Carlies, Austin Ajiake, Devin Veresuk, and a couple of undrafted rookies (Tahj Chambers and West Weeks).
Cornerback (6)
Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mekhi Blackmon, Cameron Mitchell
Cornerback is set with Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, and Justin Walley as the starting trio, and the depth was boosted by adding Cam Taylor-Britt as another starting-caliber player on the perimeter. Mekhi Blackmon will need to hold off Jaylon Jones for the other backup job outside, and Cameron Mitchell should be the backup to Walley in the slot.
Safety (4)
Cam Bynum, A.J. Haulcy (R), Jonathan Owens, Hunter Wohler
There are a ton of safeties on the roster for Indy right now, and it might have to do with making a couple of signings—Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas—without thinking A.J. Haulcy would be available for them in the third round. We know Cam Bynum and Haulcy are safe, and 2025 seventh-rounder Hunter Wohler seemed primed to make it last year before a foot injury suffered in August. Thomas is the cut here, but he could make it over either Owens or Wohler, and five safeties could end up being kept.
Special teams (3)
Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Spencer Shrader is the prediction at kicker over Blake Grupe because he’s gone 18-of-19 on field goals and 23-of-23 on extra points to begin his career—but Grupe has flashed a big leg, including hitting all four attempts of 50+ yards last year for the Colts when Shrader was injured. Other teams might be calling Indy about a possible trade by late August.