The Indianapolis Colts have several position battles that will be playing out this summer beginning on May 21 when the first set of OTAs kick off.
Whether on the offense or the defense, there are starting jobs and roles within the units that are up for grabs heading into the upcoming season. Though the jobs aren't won in the spring, the foundation for those position battles is laid at this point in the offseason.
Let’s take a look at the position battles to pay attention to over the next few months:
Colts OTAs: Position battles to watch
Edge Rushers
The saying "iron sharpens iron" is the theme of the battle for the starting jobs and roles in the edge rush group. Entering OTAs and likely training camp later this summer, Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye are penciled in to be on the field with the starting group come opening day.
The players who will be pushing for a starting role or at least cut into Ebukam and Paye’s snaps are Dayo Odeyingbo and Laiatu Latu. Odeyingbo is coming off his best season where he finished with eight sacks and 17 QB hits despite only playing 53% of the defensive snaps. If he has built upon his 2023 performance during the offseason he can make a case for a spot in the starting lineup.
Then you have the 2024 first-round pick in Latu. As the most-polished pass rusher in his class, he is expected to make an impact sooner than later. This position battle will take place not only in the preseason but whoever ends up being named as starters will have to hold their spot for all 17 games with the talent in the room.
While those four players are the key names to watch, there is the veteran Tyquan Lewis who will be pushing for his role in the rotation. As well as the second-year players Isaiah Land and Titus Leo will be competing for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Tight End
Rinse and repeat for the battle going on for the second straight summer in the Colts' tight end room. In 2023, injuries combined with nobody emerging as the go-to guy in the room set up this position group to have fierce competition in the upcoming preseason. Eyes are on Jelani Woods to have his breakout season and be a mismatch playmaker in the passing attack.
Veterans Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson are reliable players in the offense for Shane Steichen to lean on. Drew Ogletree was carving out a nice role before he missed the rest of 2023 due to an off-field issue. He will have to show he developed during his time away.
Lastly, Will Mallory will be looking to make a jump in Year 2 and help elevate the passing attack with his receiving skills. This will be the position group to see how it unfolds when it is time to cut down to the 53-man roster.
All five made the final cut in 2023 because Woods was placed on IR quickly afterward for roster maneuvering. Assuming all are healthy by the end of preseason, one of the five could be on the outside looking in on the 2024 Colts final 53-man roster.
Cornerbacks
Kenny Moore II is the only cornerback locked into his role as the nickel heading into the summer. The two starting boundary cornerback roles are up for grabs. The expectation is that those two spots on the depth chart will come down to JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, and Jaylon Jones.
With their experience they will have the upper hand but first-year player Jaylin Simpson will get to have his opportunity to push for a spot in the preseason with the coaching staff starting him at cornerback. While he can also play in the slot to help backup Moore II, keep an eye on Chris Lammons and sixth-round pick Micah Abraham to push for the backup nickel role.
Wide Receivers
There is one main competition to watch in the Colts receiving corps. That will be for the X role in the offense between Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell. This is another battle that will extend into the season because regardless of who is the opening-day starter, he has to keep the other off his heels for all 17 games.
As far as the rest of the group, Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are locked into their roles. Ashton Dulin and Anthony Gould will be pushing to carve out a spot in the rotation while contributing as special teamers. Between this position group and the tight end room, it will be interesting to see how Chris Ballard decides how many to keep on the 53-man roster.
Starting Free Safety
To start OTAs the starting free safety spot is up for grabs according to Gus Bradley. This battle is between Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, and Daniel Scott. The early guess on who the leader in the clubhouse is Cross. The third-year safety has shown glimpses of potential and has the talent to develop into a starting-caliber player.
Thomas II was a pleasant surprise during his rookie season but took a step back in Year 2 and seemed to lose the coaching staff’s trust towards the end of 2023. He will be looking to rebound and earn back his lost starting job.
We have yet to see what Scott can bring to the Indy defense. His rookie season didn’t even get a chance to begin when he tore his ACL during last year’s OTAs. The 2022 fifth-round pick will have to show the coaching staff he got the mental side down while being sidelined to push for the starting free safety spot.
All three players have OTAs and minicamp to show the front office that a veteran free agent isn’t needed otherwise it shouldn’t be a shock to see another name brought in at some point later this summer.
Backup Running Back
The Colts are leaning on their star running back Jonathan Taylor to carry the load after awarding him his contract extension last year. The question marks in the backfield are which players will spell JT when he needs a breather and who would get the start if Taylor did have to miss any time.
Evan Hull, Trey Sermon, Tyler Goodson, Zavier Scott, and Trent Pennix will have the opportunity to push for the RB2 slot on the depth chart and their roles on the offense and contributors on special teams.
Third Linebacker
One of the under-the-radar position battles for the Colts is who will be the third linebacker on the depth chart. The players that have the edge heading into the summer are Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Segun Olubi. Harrison Jr. was groomed for the money-backer role and made some impact plays, including a pick-six in his one start as a linebacker against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Olubi is the player that I see earning that role in the defense. He worked in the rotation in 2023 and showed some positive things when he got his two starts. The other player to keep an eye on is fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies. The former college safety is transitioning to linebacker and can be used in the money-backer role.
He will have to impress in the preseason to get the third linebacker spot but it could be something he earns during the season as he gets acclimated to Gus Bradley’s defense.