Chuck Pagano confirms Clayton Geathers is expected to start at safety for Colts

When the Colts let safety Dwight Lowery walk in free agency to sign with the San Diego Chargers, most people assumed that it would be Clayton Geathers taking over as the starting safety alongside Mike Adams.  So while it's not new information, it's worth noting that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano confirmed that Geathers is indeed expected to start at safety.

According to the Indianapolis Star's Stephen Holder, Pagano "spoke matter-of-factly about safety Clayton Geathers as a likely starter this fall."  Colts.com's Kevin Bowen also noted that Pagano said that Geathers and Adams are the guys currently expected to start.

Geathers played in 15 games in 2015 and started two of them, recording 34 tackles, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery.  He took over for two games mid-season when Adams missed due to injury, and Pagano and the Colts seemed to be impressed with his abilities.  He showed his hard-hitting nature and the talent that he has, leading many fans to speculate that he could wind up as the starter down the road.  Then, once Lowery left in free agency, it appeared as if that scenario might happen in 2016, and it sounds like that is the case.

The Colts have a lot of other areas that they need to address still this offseason, such as pass rush, offensive line, cornerback, and inside linebacker.  Their safety position, however, isn't near the top of the list of needs, as they have two-time Pro Bowler Mike Adams returning to fill one of the spots and the talented young Clayton Geathers expected to step in and fill the other spot.