The Indianapolis Colts preseason opener is just a few days away. 

This means it's time for the first unofficial depth chart of the 2024 season. 

Our first unofficial depth chart of the preseason:

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 6, 2024

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Colts preseason Week 1 unofficial depth chart 

Offense 

QB: 

1. Anthony Richardson 
2. Joe Flacco
3. Sam Ehlinger
4. Kedon Slovis
5. Jason Bean 

RB: 

1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Trey Sermon
3. Tyler Goodson
4. Evan Hull
5. Trent Penix
6. Zavier Scott

The top two spots were chalk, but after that, I was pretty surprised by how the RBs were listed. The first surprise was Tyer Goodson over Evan Hull, and the next was Trent Penix over Zavier Scott. The Colts used a draft pick on Hull in 2023, but an injury stole nearly his entire rookie season. And his ability as a pass catcher seems to be the best of anyone in the team's RB room. And lastly, both Scott and Penix are at the bottom, which was expected, but I would have had the order flipped. Scott's significantly above-average size and ability as a pass catcher is enough to put him above Penix personally. However, I will say if the Colts wanted to deploy an FB in today's game, Penix would likely be the best suited for that role on the team's current roster. 

WR: 

1. Michael Pittman Jr. 
2. Ashton Dulin 
3. D.J. Montgomery 
4. Laquon Treadwell

WR: 

1. Josh Downs
2. Anthony Gould
3. Ethan Fernea

WR: 

1. Alec Pierce OR Adonai Mitchell 
2. Juwann Winfree
3. Tyrie Cleveland 
4. Derek Slywka

TE: 

1. Mo Alie-Cox
2. Drew Ogletree
3. Eric Tomlinson 

I know some fans will hate seeing Mo Alie-Cox as a listed starter but it makes sense. So far, throughout camp, Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson have been the clear top two TEs in terms of first-team reps. Jelani Woods offers a ton of upside at the position, but the rust from missing his entire sophomore season has been evident so far with his up-and-down play. 

TE: 

1. Kylen Granson 
2. Jelani Woods
3. Will Mallory 
4. Jordan Murray 

LT: 

1. Bernhard Raimann 
2. Blake Freeand
3. Jake Witt

LG: 

1. Quenton Nelson
2. Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini OR Wesley French 

C:

1. Ryan Kelly 
2. Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini OR Wesley French 

RG: 

1. Will Fries
2. Josh Sills OR Dalton Tucker

RT: 

1. Braden Smith
2. Matt Goncalves
3. Arlington Hambright 

No big surprises across the offensive line. One big takeaway is the fact that the backup job for all three interior offensive line jobs have camp battles going on to decide. Two of which are include the same two players in Danny Pinter and Tanor Bortolini (Wesley French is now on IR). So it seems safe to assume both will serve as backups this season. 

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Defense

DE: 

1. Kwity Paye
2. Laiatu Latu 
3. Genard Avery
4. Titus Leo

DE: 

1. Tyquan Lewis
2. Dayo Odeyingbo
3. Isaiah Land
4. Levi Bell
5. Samson Ebukam (Injured)

The injury to Samson Ebukam stings, and it had a clear effect on the team's first depth chart of the year. One of the biggest shocks here was seeing rookie Laiatu Latu listed as second string. Since Ebukam went down, Latu has been taking the majority of the first-team reps, and he has been a menace in practice. I would be shocked if, by week 1, Latu hasn't solidified himself as one of the Colts' full-time starting edge rushers. 

DT:  

1. DeForest Buckner
2. Adetomiwa Adebawore
3. Jonah Laulu 

NT: 

1. Grover Stewart
2. Taven Bryan 
3. Eric Johnson II
4. Raekwon Davis (Non-Football Injury List) 

WLB: 

1. E.J. Speed
2. Jaylon Carlies
3. Craig Young

MLB: 

1. Zaire Franklin
2. Cameron McGrone
3. Liam Anderson

SAM: 

1. Segun Olubi
2. Grant Stuard
3. Austin Ajiake

CB: 

1. Juju Brents
2. Dallis Flowers
3. Ameer Speed
4. Clay Fields III

CB: 

1. Jaylon Jones
2. Darrell Baker Jr. 
3. Jaylin Simpson 

N: (Nickle) 

1. Kenny Moore II
2. Chris Lammons 
3. Micah Abraham 
4. Michael Tutsie

The CB room is going to be one of the most intriguing cuts the Colts make this year. I think there are nine players with a real shot at making this roster, but realistically, only six or seven will earn roster spots. Which will result. one or more of Ameer Speed, Jaylin Simpson Micah Abraham, or Darrell Baker Jr. being released.  

FS: 

1. Nick Cross
2. Rodney Thomas II
3. Trevor Denbow
4. Marcel Dabo

SS: 

1. Julian Blackmon
2. Ronnie Harrison 
3. Kendell Brooks

When it comes to safety, just one look at the FS depth chart makes it clear that the Colts need to sign a veteran to solidify the position. And even though he is listed as a SS here, Ronnie Harrison. He has spent time at LB with the team and now is moving back to his original position in the NFL, safety. Julian Blackmon has been one of the stars of training camp so far this year. And he willl have to continue this stellar play if he is going to make up for the lack of a starting caliber player currently on the roster to play FS. 

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Specialists: (Special Teams) 

Punter: 

1. Rigoberto Sanchez

Kicker: 

1. Matt Gay
2. Spencer Shrader

Holder: 

1. Rigoberto Sanchez 

Long Snapper:

1. Luke Rhodes

Kick Returner: 

1. Dallis Flowers
2. Anthony Gould
3. Josh Downs 

Punt Returner: 

1. Josh Downs
2. Anthony Gould
3. Dallis Flowers 

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Colts head coach Shane Steichen has yet to announce how many of the team's starters will play during the team's preseason debut against the Denver Broncos. And with multiple ongoing competitions for starting and backup jobs, preseason snaps are invaluable for multiple players. 

Though this depth chart is helpful in understanding how the team views multiple ongoing position battles in training camp, it's important to take it with a grain of salt. First, it's the first unofficial depth chart of the year, so it doesn't hold much weight. Second, the title "unofficial" says that these are all subject to change and nowhere near a finished product. But take it as a sign that Colts football is right around the corner. 

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