10 Colts players on the roster bubble entering first preseason game vs. Broncos (2024)

If the Colts are going to roster three quarterbacks, which they did in 2023 under Shane Steichen, then Sam Ehlinger is going to be the favorite over UDFAs Kedon Slovis and Jason Bean for that role. However, there’s a lot of teams that roster only two quarterbacks on the 53-man and utilize that roster spot at another position group. It remains to be seen which direction the Colts will go in 2024, but with Anthony Richardson as the established starter and Joe Flacco the established backup, the quarterback room is more defined this year than last. Ehlinger is also entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Trey Sermon appears to be pretty locked into that backup running back role, which leaves Tyler Goodson and Evan Hull competing for the final roster spot at that position. On paper, Hull likely has the advantage, given that he’s a recent draft pick of the Colts and only his second NFL season. Goodson will have to leave no doubt on the field that he is the better option.

With all five starters along the offensive line returning, along with the Colts also having Blake Freeland and then adding Matt Goncalves and Tanor Bortolini in the draft, there could only be one roster spot up for grabs along the offensive line. On the unofficial depth chart, Pinter was listed as both the backup left guard and backup center–along with Bortolini and French, before he was placed on IR. Given Pinter’s versatility and experience, he may be the favorite for this final spot, but that will in large part come down to how he performs in the preseason.

There’s a lot to like about Witt’s potential, given his size and athleticism at the tackle position. However, from a numbers perspective, he could be facing an uphill battle when it comes to making the roster. Out of the eight linemen I would consider locks to make the team, the only interior linemen off the bench is Bortolini, which leads me to believe the ninth spot at this position group will go to another interior blocker for depth. Witt’s best chance to make the team may be if the Colts’ go heavy and keep 10 linemen, giving him another red-shirt-like year to develop.

It’s difficult to decipher from the outside looking in where things stand at the tight end position from a depth chart perspective. This could lead the Colts to keeping five on the roster–although that then means going light at another position. Ogletree and Mo Alie-Cox can fill similar roles, so it remains to be seen if the Colts will roster both of them with Jelani Woods back this season. Ogletree is still on his rookie deal and has some upside that can still be unlocked. Alie-Cox, as an experienced veteran likely provides more stability, but the Colts can save nearly $6 million in cap space by releasing him. For what it’s worth, from the sounds of it, Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson have gotten the majority of the starting snaps in practice.

Laulu was just drafted in April, but seventh round selections are rarely if every considered a roster lock. Looking at the defensive tackle position, we know DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Raekwon Davis will be the top three in the rotation. SI’s Albert Breer would would call Taven Bryan a “camp surprise,” while Adetomiwa Adebawore is a second year player who the Colts selected in the fourth-round. He has pass rush upside and can be a special teams contributor. Those players already account for five roster spots, which may be all the Colts have room for. Laulu is a very good athlete and was versatile in college, but may best benefit from a year on the practice squad to further develop.

McGrone has a two different paths when it comes to carving out a roster spot. He could win the competition for the backup middle linebacker role or earn his way on to the roster as a core special teams contributor. The challenges for McGrone, however, is that last season when Zaire Franklin missed time, it was Segun Olubi who filled in for him. While on special teams, the Colts also have Grant Stuard, who led the team in snaps in 2023, with Olubi finishing second. Another option for McGrone could be if the Colts roster six linebackers–but again, that means going light at another position group.

Baker would play nearly 500 snaps for the Colts last season as the team dealt with injuries at cornerback, but a roster spot is far from guaranteed this year. At the boundary cornerback position, the Colts have JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, and Jaylon Jones, who we know will be on the roster. The team also used a fifth round pick on Jaylin Simpson, who is versatile and made some splash plays in training camp. Add in Kenny Moore and potentially Chris Lammons or Micah Abraham as the backup nickel, and six roster spots are already accounted for.

As already alluded to, Lammons and Abraham appear to be the two primary candidates to be the backup nickel behind Kenny Moore. What Lammons has on his side is experience, which is certainly valuable. However, oftentimes when it comes to those back-end of the depth chart roster spots, teams often prefer youth and upside, which Abraham has as a sixth-round pick this past April.