The most underrated roster battle that will take place during the Colts 2024 Training Camp

The Indianapolis Colts 2024 training camp will have multiple intriguing battles, whether it be for a starting job or a roster spot. There are some clear spots on the roster that people are excited to watch, a few being TE, CB, and safety. But there's one position I think is going to be a lot more competitive […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts 2024 training camp will have multiple intriguing battles, whether it be for a starting job or a roster spot. 

There are some clear spots on the roster that people are excited to watch, a few being TE, CB, and safety. 

But there's one position I think is going to be a lot more competitive than people realize. 


Colts LB battle

Sep 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) and linebacker E.J. Speed (45) react after a play during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA

The Colts' top two LB spots are locked in, with Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed returning to their starting jobs from last season. But the rest of the LB room is wide open for the taking. Whether that's the third LB job that, in certain coverages, could be looked at as a starter or the rest of the room, which will compete for rotational snaps on both special teams and defense. 

Colts LB Room

  • Zaire Franklin *
  • E.J. Speed *
  • Segun Olubi
  • Grant Stuard 
  • Ronnie Harrison Jr. 
  • Jaylon Carlies
  • Liam Anderson
  • Cameron McGrone
  • Craig Young
  • Austin Ajiake

* = Lock to make the Colts roster

As you see above, I only think there are two players whose spots on the team's roster are a locked in for 2024 already: Franklin and Speed. After that, eight players are battling for four to five jobs. I think Segun Olubi, Ronnie Harrison Jr., and rookie Jaylon Carlies are the three to watch in terms of the battle for that third "starting" LB job. Harrison Jr. and Carlies offer more upside in terms of pass coverage at the position. Olubi showed last year that he can be a real impact player in the run game. 

I think Grant Stuard is the favorite to make the roster of any LB after Franklin and Speed, even without being in strong consideration for that third LB spot, due to how great he has been on special teams. This is also where Liam Anderson, Cameron McGrone, Craig Young, and Austin Ajiake will also be competing to make their mark. 

A few of these players may lock up their roster spot early in training camp, but for multiple of these players, I think it's fair to say their roles on the team won't be decided until the buzzer when the Colts will have to cut their roster down to 53 players. I know I'll have my eyes glued to this position throughout Training Camp. I think the room is full of players with different skill sets, and it is one of the biggest mysteries in terms of how the team will cut down its roster. 


Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann (79) and Indianapolis Colts tight end Kylen Granson (83) celebrate with Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) after a touchdown Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts player named to PFF’s 2024 All-Breakout team

Pro Football Focus released their "2024 All-Breakout Team". Which highlights players at each position who they believe are about to have their breakout season. And the Indianapolis Colts had a player named to the team.  Bernhard Raimann, LT  "Raimann impressed as a rookie in 2022 but was even better last year, earning an 81.3 PFF pass-blocking […]