Colts Preseason Week 1 Depth Chart

The Colts announced their first unofficial depth chart of the season today. So we are going to dive in and provide analysis. Here is a position-by-position look.

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Offense:

QB - Carson Wentz, Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger, Brett Hundley

RB - Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins, Benny LeMay, Darius Anderson, Deon Jackson

WR - T.Y. Hilton, Mike Strachan, Quartney Davis

TE - Jack Doyle, Noah Togiai, Jordan Thomas, Graham Adomitis

LT - Will Holden, Sam Tevi, Eric Fisher

LG - Quenton Nelson, Chris Reed,

C - Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter, Joey Hunt

RG - Mark Glowinski, Jake Eldrenkamp, Will Fries

RT - Braden Smith, Julien Davenport, Carter O’Donnell

TE - Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Farrod Green, Andrew Vollert

WR - Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell, DeMichael Harris, Tyler Vaughns

WR - Michael PIttman Jr., Ashton Dulin, Dezmon Patmon, Tarik Black

Analysis:

• One of the biggest talking points on offense this offseason has been the left tackle spot. The Colts list Will Holden as the starter with Sam Tevi backing him up. The job is Eric Fisher’s once he returns from his Achilles injury but in the meantime, it is an open competition, and appears Holden is leading the way currently.
• At wide receiver, the top four spots are locked up with Hilton, Pittman, Campbell, and Pascal firmly atop the depth chart. The battle for the fifth and possibly sixth spots is where the competition begins and it appears rookie Mike Strachan’s strong showing at training camp gives him an early edge.
• With Carson Wentz recovering from a foot injury, Jacob Eason has taken on the starting role. Sam Ehlinger has done well enough in camp to earn himself some practice reps with the first team today but Eason is still listed as the primary backup, and current starter. Hundley joined the team to provide depth while Wentz is out with his foot injury.

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Defense:

DE - Kwity Paye, Kemoko Turay, Ben Banogu, Demontre Moore

NT - Grover Stewart, Antwaun Woods, Taylor Stallworth, Chris Williams

UT - DeForest Buckner, Andrew Brown, Joey Ivie

DE - Tyquan Lewis, Al-Quadin Muhammed, Isaac Rochell, Kameron Cline, Dayo Odeyingbo

WLB - Darius Leonard, EJ Speed, Malik Jefferson, Jordan Glasgow, Curtis Bolton

MLB - Bobby Okereke, Skai Moore

SLB - Zaire Franklin, Matthew Adams, Isaiah Kaufusi

CB - TJ Carrie, Isaiah Rodgers, Anthony Chesley, Holton Hill

FS - Julian Blackmon, Andre Chachere, Ibraheim Campbell

SS - Khari Willis, George Odum, Sean Davis, Shawn Davis

NCB - Kenny Moore II, T.J. Carrie, Andre Chachere

CB - Xavier Rhodes, Rock Ya-Sin, Marvell Tell III, Nick Nelson

Analysis:

• Rookie defensive end Kwity Paye is listed as the starter ahead of Turay and Banogu. The Colts 2021 1st round pick has shown out in training camp and has taken the starting job and hasn’t looked back. Paye should add the pass-rushing boost that the Colts are so desperate for.
• On the other side of the defensive line, Tyquan Lewis has locked onto a starting spot at defensive end. Lewis broke out last year and appears to have moved on from spending a lot of time at the 3-technique defensive tackle spot.
• TJ Carrie is listed as the team's starting cornerback on the outside across from Rhodes. Ya-Sin is listed as the backup to Rhodes. It is still early and Ya-Sin still has time to take the starting role back but it still appears to be one of the biggest camp competitions on defense.
• One name to watch out for on defense is Andre Chahere. The Colts signed him last year and kept him on the practice squad. Chachere has shown versatility in being able to play outside corner, nickel, and safety. He has been the primary backup to Julian Blackmon at free safety and taken advantage of his opportunities while Blackmon is sidelined with a knee injury.

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Specialists:

P - Rigoberto Sanchez

K - Rodrigo Blankenship, Eddy Pineiro

LS - Luke Rhodes

KR - Isaiah Rodgers, Marlon Mack, Ashton Dulin

PR - Nyheim Hines, Isaiah Rodgers

Analysis:

• Blankenship appears to be winning the kicking competition and the depth chart reflects that. It would take a massive downward spiral from Blankenship for Pineiro to take the kicking job.
• It appears Marlon Mack has put his name at the kick returner's job. Mack will likely have a reduced role at running back due to Taylor and Hines having an active role in the backfield.