INDIANAPOLIS – Ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener, the Colts have released their first depth chart of the 2022 year.
Of course, this depth chart will see some changes and doesn’t completely reflect how we’ve seen the reps divided up across 8 practices at Grand Park.
Here are some takeaways I have from the Colts first depth chart of 2022 (* rookie):
Quarterback: Matt Ryan, Nick Foles, Sam Ehlinger, Jack Coan*
Bowen’s Analysis: No surprise here.
Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Phillip Lindsay, Ty’Son Williams, Deon Jackson, D’Vonte Price*, C.J. Verdell*
Bowen’s Analysis: Lindsay is definitely the early favorite for that 3rd running back role. Do the Colts have room for a 4th running back?
Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman, Ashton Dulin, Ethan Fernea, D.J. Montgomery
Bowen’s Analysis: Dulin has earned a spot on this team thanks to what he brings to the wideout group, and not just for his special teams presence.
Wide Receiver: Parris Campbell, Keke Coutee, DeMichael Harris, Michael Young Jr.*
Bowen’s Analysis: Coutee got the starting reps in place of an injured Campbell during Monday’s practice.
Wide Receiver: Alec Pierce*, Dezmon Patmon, Samson Nacua*, Isaiah Ford, Mike Strachan (injured)
Bowen’s Analysis: Strachan’s lingering knee injury rehab has helped Patmon try an earn a roster spot.
Tight End: Mo Alie-Cox, Jelani Woods*, Michael Jacobson
Bowen’s Analysis: I’d place Woods 4th on the complete tight end pecking order.
Tight End: Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree*, Nikola Kalinic*
Bowen’s Analysis: Depending on what the Colts want at tight end, Ogletree could see some Week 1 action.
Left Tackle: Matt Pryor, Bernhard Raimann, Jordan Murray
Bowen’s Analysis: Pryor has taken every single starting left tackle rep this camp.
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Jason Spriggs, Brandon Kemp
Bowen’s Analysis: Spriggs, the IU product, has shown some position flex at guard.
Center: Ryan Kelly, Wesley French*, Alex Mollette*
Bowen’s Analysis: I still think the backup center come September will be Danny Pinter (sliding over from right guard, if needed) and then Will Fries.
Right Guard: Danny Pinter, Will Fries, Josh Seltzner*
Bowen’s Analysis: Like Pryor at left tackle, Pinter has been the starter for every single starting rep this camp.
Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Ryan Van Demark*, Dennis Kelly (injured),
Bowen’s Analysis: Backup tackle depth is something the Colts have tried to address, with Kelly’s knee injury possibly hurting some of that effort.
Defensive End (LEO): Yannick Ngakoue, Ben Banogu, Dayo Odeyingbo
Bowen’s Analysis: I wouldn’t read too much into Odeyingbo being listed third. He’s moving around the defensive line a lot and will play in a reserve role.
Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner, R.J. McIntosh, Curtis Brooks*, Byron Cowart
Bowen’s Analysis: McIntosh has had some nice impact in camp.
Nose Tackle: Grover Stewart, Eric Johnson II*, Caeveon Patton*, Chris Williams (injured)
Bowen’s Analysis: Williams’ injury has opened up some interior defensive line reps.
Defensive End: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Kameron Cline
Bowen’s Analysis: Honestly, Odenigbo and Cline have dialed up the disruption this camp.
WILL Linebacker: Bobby Okereke, E.J. Speed, Sterling Weatherford*, Brandon King
Bowen’s Analysis: This linebacker depth chart is tad confusing, compared to the roles in the Matt Eberflus defense. Okereke and Zaire Franklin have taken the most starting reps.
MIKE Linebacker: Shaquille Leonard, Forrest Rhyne*, James Skalski*
Bowen’s Analysis: Is Leonard a MIKE linebacker in Gus Bradley’s system?
SAM Linebacker: Zaire Franklin, JoJo Domann*
Bowen’s Analysis: Domann has had a strong camp as an undrafted free agent.
Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore, Isaiah Rodgers, Anthony Chesley, Dallis Flowers*
Bowen’s Analysis: No surprise here.
Cornerback: Brandon Facyson, Marvell Tell III, Chris Wilcox, Alex Myres
Bowen’s Analysis: I’d put Facyson ahead of Rodgers for that 3rd cornerback in the nickel personnel grouping.
Nickel Cornerback: Kenny Moore II, Tony Brown
Bowen’s Analysis: When the Colts have two cornerbacks on the field this camp, it’s still Moore outside with Gilmore.
Free Safety: Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II*, Will Redmond, Marcel Dabo*
Bowen’s Analysis: Thomas has bounced around second and third-team reps.
Strong Safety: Nick Cross*, Rodney McLeod, Armani Watts, Trevor Denbow*
Bowen’s Analysis: For the rookie Cross, it’s a good sign to see him listed as the early starter. Cross and McLeod are starting to split more and more starting reps.
Kick Returner: Isaiah Rodgers, Ashton Dulin
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s still Rodgers keeping his kick return duties.
Punt Returner: Nyheim Hines, Keke Coutee
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s still Hines keeping his punt return duties.
Specialists: K-Rodrigo Blankenship, LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Jake Verity
Bowen’s Analysis: At placekicker, Hot Rod is listed above Verity, as expected, on the first depth chart.
