Quarterback play and more stars emerging will be key, but the Colts appear to have a difficult roster to crack in 2025.
Quarterback (3)
Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard (R)
Anthony Richardson versus Daniel Jones should be a true quarterback battle that will be decided by how they perform in August, and the Colts seem to be high on sixth-round pick Riley Leonard as the No. 3 quarterback. Remember, Indy has kept three quarterbacks on the roster in recent years.
Running back (4)
Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, DJ Giddens (R), Tyler Goodson
There are a ton of different combinations the Colts could go with at running back, wide receiver, and tight end when roster cuts are made. Khalil Herbert and fifth-round rookie DJ Giddens should be safe behind Jonathan Taylor, and we believe Tyler Goodson (5.3 yards per carry over the past two seasons) is worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster, too.
Wide receiver (5)
Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Anthony Gould
Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell could make the team if the Colts keep six wide receivers, but the strength at the top might lead to them using the roster spots elsewhere. Although second-year wideout Anthony Gould (one catch as a rookie) shouldn’t be an automatic lock, general manager Chris Ballard will probably lean towards last year’s fifth-rounder if the position battle is close.
Tight end (4)
Tyler Warren (R), Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Will Mallory
Indianapolis has had a committee approach at tight end for years, and No. 14 overall pick Tyler Warren should be the star they have been waiting for to make things easier on whoever is under center. The toughest decision for the roster projection is the other two or three options that will make it here, but Jelani Woods has untapped upside, Mo Alie-Cox provides a veteran presence, and Will Mallory was drafted in the fifth round last year. Drew Ogletree could easily make it as the No. 2 tight end, though.
Offensive tackle (4)
Bernhard Raimann, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Jalen Travis (R)
Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith are locked in as the starting tackles for the Colts, and the backups are set with fourth-rounders Blake Freeland (in 2023) and rookie Jalen Travis. The mystery will come after the season with both Raimann and Smith on expiring deals.
Interior offensive line (5)
Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Dalton Tucker, Wesley French
Again, investments in the offensive line have definitely been made under Chris Ballard, and the team is banking on 2024 draft picks Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves to replace Ryan Kelly and Will Fries this year. Dalton Tucker and Wesley French get the edge over Danny Pinter for the final two spots, but the battle will shake out in camp.
Defensive tackle (5)
Grover Stewart, DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Tim Smith (R)
The Colts have Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner back in the middle of their defensive line, and the hope is that younger options around them—particularly on the edge—will step up. One of the interior guys we like to make a Year 3 leap is Adetomiwa Adebawore, but Indy also added Neville Gallimore in free agency and Tim Smith in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Defensive end (5)
Laiatu Latu, JT Tuimoloau (R), Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis
Laiatu Latu and second-round pick JT Tuimoloau could be one of the NFL’s best edge duos in due time—but they will already make an impact on the entire defense just based on how hard they play. Kwity Paye will try to build off back-to-back seasons with 8.0+ sacks, and Samson Ebukam had 9.5 sacks in 2023 before a torn Achilles knocked him out for all of last season.
Linebacker (5)
Zaire Franklin, Jalon Carlies, Cameron McGrone, Hunter Wohler (R), Jacob Phillips
Jalon Carlies is the projected starter next to Zaire Franklin, but roster spots are unsettled behind them with all of Cameron McGrone, seventh-round rookie Hunter Wohler (announced as a linebacker but now listed as a defensive back), Jacob Phillips, Joe Bachie, and Segun Olubi fighting for jobs. We’ll say Wohler follows the same path as Carlies last year by transitioning to linebacker and making it as a Day 3 pick.
Cornerback (6)
Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II, Justin Walley (R), JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack III
There are other options including Corey Ballentine and David Long Jr. who will push for a roster spot, but cornerback might be difficult to nudge someone out of—with Samuel Womack III being the most vulnerable but playing very well on nearly 60% of the defensive snaps in 2024. Could former second-round pick JuJu Brents be on the bubble or a possible trade candidate?
Safety (4)
Cam Bynum, Nick Cross, Daniel Scott, Rodney Thomas II
Cam Bynum was signed to a four-year, $60 million deal this offseason with the Colts expecting him to be an upgrade on Julian Blackmon, and the Colts only have undrafted free agents Trey Washington and Ladarius Tennison as competition for Daniel Scott and Rodney Thomas II for the backup jobs.
Special teams (3)
Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
It was a surprise another team didn’t jump on Spencer Shrader after the promise he showed last year, but the Colts were able to get him back this offseason after short stints with the Jets and Chiefs. He’ll join Rigoberto Sanchez and Luke Rhodes as the long-term options on special teams.