With the NFL draft almost here, let’s take a way-too-early look ahead to what the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man roster could look like heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
Now, of course, a lot is going to change here depending on who the Colts add in the draft, along with how things unfold during training camp.
However, this exercise can provide us with a different lens to look through when it comes to the current state of the Colts’ roster, specifically going beyond where the big needs lie and where depth to round out a position group is needed.
The Colts will enter this year’s draft with seven selections–one in each round and they will then further add to the roster in undrafted free agency.
So here is how the Colts’ final roster could shake out, given what we know right now:
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Draft pick
In each of Shane Steichen’s first two years as head coach, he has kept three quarterbacks on the roster. My guess is that the Colts draft a quarterback on Day 3 and that player beats out Jason Bean for the third spot on the depth chart.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Draft pick
This year’s draft class is absolutely loaded at the running back position. With Chris Ballard wanting more production from the backup running back role, he needs to add to this room and take advantage of the talent that is available.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
It doesn’t get much easier than this when making a prediction. Of all the positions that needed to be added to this offseason, this was not one of them for the Colts.
Tight end (4): Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Draft pick
It’s not a matter of if, but when are the Colts going to select a tight end in this year’s draft, and which prospect best fits what they are looking for.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Draft pick
The Colts have to add depth here in the draft, particularly along the interior portion of the offensive line. If they can find a starting right guard in the draft, that also helps them out at tackle as it allows Matt Goncalves to be the swing tackle in 2025 and the likely starting right tackle in 2026.
Defensive line (10): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land, Draft pick
The Colts lost Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, and if we look ahead to 2026, Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents. So the defensive end depth could use a boost. In addition to that, the Colts need improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart at defensive tackle.
I included one draft pick being added to the 53-man roster here, but I could see a second if an incoming rookie is able to beat out Adebawore or Gallimore during training camp.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Draft pick
Ballard seems to like the linebacker room the Colts currently have, even after losing EJ Speed and Grant Stuard, but this is also a position that is on the Colts’ radar as well. I’m just not sure we see the Colts spend an early round pick here like some mocks have them doing.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
Perhaps an addition could be justified here, but this room has done a complete 180 this offseason. If the Colts don’t add to the cornerback position, this unit should still be greatly improved.
Safety (4): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Draft pick
The Colts rostered just four safeties last season. Even with the addition of Bynum, this room needs more reinforcements. The only other safeties on the roster currently are Marcel Dabo and Daniel Scott.
Special teams (3): Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Ballard did mention that the Colts will want to bring in a second kicker to compete, but the team really likes Schrader’s upside.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Colts’ 53-man roster projection
With the NFL draft almost here, let’s take a way-too-early look ahead to what the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man roster could look like heading into Week 1 of the regular season.
Now, of course, a lot is going to change here depending on who the Colts add in the draft, along with how things unfold during training camp.
However, this exercise can provide us with a different lens to look through when it comes to the current state of the Colts’ roster, specifically going beyond where the big needs lie and where depth to round out a position group is needed.
The Colts will enter this year’s draft with seven selections–one in each round and they will then further add to the roster in undrafted free agency.
So here is how the Colts’ final roster could shake out, given what we know right now:
Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Draft pick
In each of Shane Steichen’s first two years as head coach, he has kept three quarterbacks on the roster. My guess is that the Colts draft a quarterback on Day 3 and that player beats out Jason Bean for the third spot on the depth chart.
Running back (3): Jonathan Taylor, Khalil Herbert, Draft pick
This year’s draft class is absolutely loaded at the running back position. With Chris Ballard wanting more production from the backup running back role, he needs to add to this room and take advantage of the talent that is available.
Wide receiver (6): Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, Ashton Dulin
It doesn’t get much easier than this when making a prediction. Of all the positions that needed to be added to this offseason, this was not one of them for the Colts.
Tight end (4): Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Draft pick
It’s not a matter of if, but when are the Colts going to select a tight end in this year’s draft, and which prospect best fits what they are looking for.
Offensive line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter, Draft pick
The Colts have to add depth here in the draft, particularly along the interior portion of the offensive line. If they can find a starting right guard in the draft, that also helps them out at tackle as it allows Matt Goncalves to be the swing tackle in 2025 and the likely starting right tackle in 2026.
Defensive line (10): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Neville Gallimore, Kwity Paye, Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land, Draft pick
The Colts lost Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, and if we look ahead to 2026, Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents. So the defensive end depth could use a boost. In addition to that, the Colts need improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart at defensive tackle.
I included one draft pick being added to the 53-man roster here, but I could see a second if an incoming rookie is able to beat out Adebawore or Gallimore during training camp.
Linebacker (5): Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Draft pick
Ballard seems to like the linebacker room the Colts currently have, even after losing EJ Speed and Grant Stuard, but this is also a position that is on the Colts’ radar as well. I’m just not sure we see the Colts spend an early round pick here like some mocks have them doing.
Cornerback (6): Jaylon Jones, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, JuJu Brents, Samuel Womack, Corey Ballentine
Perhaps an addition could be justified here, but this room has done a complete 180 this offseason. If the Colts don’t add to the cornerback position, this unit should still be greatly improved.
Safety (4): Nick Cross, Cam Bynum, Rodney Thomas, Draft pick
The Colts rostered just four safeties last season. Even with the addition of Bynum, this room needs more reinforcements. The only other safeties on the roster currently are Marcel Dabo and Daniel Scott.
Special teams (3): Spencer Shrader, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes
Ballard did mention that the Colts will want to bring in a second kicker to compete, but the team really likes Schrader’s upside.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Colts’ 53-man roster projection
