Training camp is almost here for the Indianapolis Colts, so let’s take a look at what their current roster on defense looks like.
Training camp is almost here for the Indianapolis Colts, so let’s take a look at what their current roster on defense looks like.
The Colts’ first training camp practice will take place on July 23rd, with the rookies reporting on the 21st and the veterans on the 22nd.
There is still the possibility during this time of the year that an addition–and subsequent roster subtraction–can be made. GM Chris Ballard still has the salary cap flexibility to tweak his roster. But largely, the team we see right now is the one that will carry the Colts through training camp and the preseason.
You can take a look at the Colts’ roster on offense here, but now let’s dive into the current makeup of the Colts’ training camp roster on defense.
Defensive line
- DE Samson Ebukam
- DE Isaiah Land
- DE Laiatu Latu
- DE Tyquan Lewis
- DE Desmond Little
- DE Durrell Nchami
- DE Kwity Paye
- DT Adetomiwa Adebawore
- DT DeForest Buckner
- DT Devonta Davis
- DT Neville Gallimore
- DT Eric Johnson
- DT Grover Stewart
As we detailed recently, one big thing to watch for here is what the playing time rotations at defensive tackle and end look like. We know that DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, and Kwity Paye will see a lot of snaps, but how the playing time behind them breaks down still remains to be seen, especially with there being a new coordinator.
Linebacker
- Austin Ajiake
- Liam Anderson
- Joe Bachie
- Jaylon Carlies
- Solomon DeShields
- Zaire Franklin
- Cameron McGrone
- Segun Olubi
- Jacob Phillips
Zaire Franklin will start, of course, and presumably next to him will be Jaylon Carlies. However, the big unknown with this unit is tied to the overall inexperience at this position group. After Franklin, Carlies’ 242 career defensive snaps are the second-most on the roster.
Cornerback
- Corey Ballentine
- JuJu Brents
- Johnathan Edwards
- Alex Johnson
- Jaylon Jones
- David Long Jr.
- Kenny Moore
- Justin Walley
- Samuel Womack
There are two things to watch for here: one is who starts opposite of Charvarius Ward? Jaylon Jones may be the favorite, but JuJu Brents is healthy, while Justin Walley impressed during offseason programs. The other question here is, how many cornerbacks will the Colts roster? Ward, Jones, Walley, Brents, Kenny Moore, Corey Ballentine, and Sam Womack account for seven potential roster spots. Not to say the Colts can’t keep that many, especially in Anarumo’s defense, where there will be a greater reliance on defensive backs, but that then means going light at another position. And if the Colts keep six, who is the odd man out?
Safety
- Cam Bynum
- Nick Cross
- Daniel Scott
- Ladarius Tennison
- Rodney Thomas
- Trey Washington
- Hunter Wohler
We know that Nick Cross and Cam Bynum will be starting, but there is a lot of inexperience on the depth chart behind them. While Rodney Thomas has played over 1,700 defensive snaps, his role was significantly reduced last season, and no other safety on the roster has NFL experience on defense. Under Anarumo, whoever is the third safety could see their share of playing time this season. In Cincinnati, the Bengals used a lot of three-safety looks.
Special teams
- P Rigoberto Sanchez
- LS Luke Rhodes
- K Spencer Shrader
- K Maddux Trujillo
As special teams coordinator Brian Mason mentioned, he views the kicker job as an “open competition.”
