Just like that, we are on to the regular season, where the Indianapolis Colts will host the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in the season-opener next Sunday.
Over the last several days, the Colts have put together their 53-man roster and assembled the practice squad. Along with turning their attention towards Houston, one of the next steps before Sunday’s game will be putting together their official Week 1 depth chart.
However, before the Colts announce that, I wanted to put together my own projection based on what we heard from training camp and saw during the preseason.
So here is my Week 1 depth chart projection for the Colts on the defensive side of the football. If you would like to see my projection for the offense, click here.
Defensive end
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) runs during the Colts’ training camp Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.
Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Isaiah Land
Tyquan Lewis, Dayo Odeyingbo
All of these players are going to be asked to get after the quarterback and help in the run game, but Lewis and Odeyingbo are the run help at defensive end, with Paye and Latu the pass rushers if we are going to categorize them, which the Colts did on their unofficial depth charts. On early, more run-heavy downs, Paye and Lewis were on the field during the preseason games. Then Latu would take over for Lewis on third downs.
Defensive tackle
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore (95) attempts and fails to recover a ball during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Broncos defeated the Colts 34-30.
DT: DeForest Buckner, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Taven Bryan
NT: Grover Stewart, Raekwon Davis
When Davis was on the non-football illness list during the first two preseason games, the Colts had Bryan listed as the second nose tackle behind Stewart. In 2023, Bryan was asked to play nose tackle and help out more in the run game when Stewart wasn’t on the field. Perhaps with Davis now in the mix, he can get back to a more pass-rush specific role.
Linebacker
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Will: EJ Speed, Jaylon Carlies
Mike: Zaire Franklin, Segun Olubi
Sam: Segun Olubi, Grant Stuard
The Colts have some flexibility at this position. Olubi was the third linebacker on the field during the preseason and also won the backup middle linebacker competition. If Olubi ever had to fill that role, I would guess that Speed would move to the strong-side linebacker role, allowing Carlies and is coverage abilities to be the Will linebacker, when the Colts are lined up in their base 4-3 defense.
Cornerback
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CB: JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers
Nickel: Kenny Moore, Samuel Womack
CB: Jaylon Jones, Samuel Womack
Brents, Moore, and Jones are the starters. When the Colts have only two cornerbacks on the field, Moore took over for Jones on the boundary. Womack has played both slot and boundary cornerback in his NFL career, likely taking on the backup role at both spots for the Colts. For more on Womack, click here.
Safety
Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) warms up during the Colts’ training camp Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.
FS: Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, Trevor Denbow
SS: Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross
I’m not sure if the Colts will have it listed this way, but in a game-like setting, this is how the depth chart would play out. If the Colts need a backup strong safety, Cross will fill that role and Rodney Thomas would move to free safety. Both Thomas and Denbow took the bulk of their preseason snaps at free safety.
Special teams
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gould (6) goes to catch a ball during the Colts’ training camp on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.
P: Rigoberto Sanchez
PK: Matt Gay
H: Rigoberto Sanchez
LS: Luke Rhodes
KR: Anthony Gould, Dallis Flowers
PR: Anthony Gould, Dallis Flowers
In the three preseason games, Gould handled eight kickoff return attempts and four punt return attempts. He’s a rookie but I would guess the Colts have him starting in those roles right away. He brings plenty of return experience to the NFL and his ability in this role is one of the big reasons the Colts drafted him where they did.
