Colts 2016 player preview: Safety Clayton Geathers

The Indianapolis Colts will report to training camp on July 26 with their 90-man roster, which will be cut down to 53 players by the end of the preseason.  To pass the time until camp, we're taking a look at every player on the Colts' 90-man roster.  Today, we're looking at safety Clayton Geathers.

Who is he?

The Colts drafted Clayton Geathers in the fourth round with one goal in mind: developing him into a starter.  The plan was a good one, as the team started veterans Mike Adams and Dwight Lowery at the position while Geathers was able to learn from a depth role.  He wound up playing in 15 games and starting two of them, recording 34 tackles, a pass defensed, and a fumble recovery.  When Geathers was asked to step in and start mid-season when Adams missed time with an injury, he impressed with his physicality.  Collegiately, Geathers played in 53 games at Central Florida, starting 52 of them on his way to a very productive career.

What is his role?

In 2016, Clayton Geathers will be the starting safety alongside Mike Adams for the Colts.  As I already mentioned, the Colts had a nice plan in place last year where Adams and Dwight Lowery held the starting spots, but with Lowery gone in free agency the Colts now turn their attention to Geathers.  It will be a big jump in responsibility for him after starting just two games last year, but the Colts are convinced he can handle it.  Based on what he showed in those starts last year, Geathers certainly should be able to give the Colts solid play from the safety position.  Though T.J. Green is a name some will mention to compete at safety, it's unlikely that the rookie will supplant Geathers for the starting spot.

What are his chances?

Clayton Geathers will be the Colts' starting safety alongside Mike Adams in 2016.