Colts’ 2025 initial 53-man roster: biggest takeaways, include surprising cuts and a clear sign that more moves are coming
What we learned from the Colts 2025 initial 53-man roster
The Indianapolis Colts had to make some tough decisions to cut their roster down to 53 players ahead of the NFL cutdown deadline on Tuesday.
Their cuts included multiple notable players, such as former draft picks Jelani Woods and Juju Brents. However, we learned even more today from some of the players the team elected to include on their initial 53-man roster.
Biggest takeaways from the Colts’ initial 53-man roster
New DC Lou Anarumo had a lot of say on defensive personnel
The Colts knew they were making a massive change on the defensive side of the ball when they hired Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator. The scheme change they committed to was drastic, and it required some significant changes to their personnel.
The Colts’ initial 53-man roster included multiple players who many believed would be safe entering training camp but were instead waived. Two came from their secondary in JuJu Brents and Sam Womack III. Brents’ injuries just became too much to overcome, but Womack appeared to be a gem found last year on the waiver wire. Sadly, he didn’t look as strong in this new defensive scheme and was outplayed by UDFA Johnathan Edwards in training camp. The team also elected to trade for Mekhi Blackmon to fill out the cornerback room instead of keeping Womack.
If that doesn’t demonstrate the extent of Anarumo’s control on the defensive side of the ball, I have another example for you. The Colts have traditionally preferred to keep seven linebackers in recent seasons; this year, they kept only four. Anarumo’s scheme calls for more defensive backs on the field and fewer LBs, and the Colts bought into this change. However, as you will read in the next section, I don’t anticipate the team starting the year with only four LBs on the 53-man roster.
Expect 1-2 more LBs to be added before the regular season
The Colts only kept four LBs on their initial 53-man roster, and that won’t cut it. The team kept star Zaire Franklin along with Joe Bachie, Cameron McGrone, and Segun Olubi. They will also have Jaylon Carlies at some point this season, with the team placing the second-year LB on IR with the designation to return. I would expect to see the Colts sign one or two LBs in the coming days to add more depth at the position. These moves could come through waiver claims or free agency. A couple of options that I think they should consider are Chad Muma, Isaiah Simmons, and Cam Jones.
Other spots where signings could occur
LB isn’t the only position that still needs addressing following the Colts’ initial 53-man roster. The team elected to keep only three RBs, as well as needing an upgrade for the final spots at OT and DT. The Colts RB room has some solid talent in Jonathan Taylor and rookie DJ Giddens, but their third RB, Tyler Goodson, is dealing with an elbow injury that could force him to miss time to start the year. So, the Colts really don’t have much of a choice; they have to bring another RB into the fold. That could be on their active roster or a practice squad player they elevate on game day.
The Colts kept nine offensive linemen and four offensive tackles, which is plenty, of course. Still, their final spot went to Luke Tenuta, whose lackluster performance in the preseason suggests he may be a placeholder. The last spot I’m watching is DT, the Colts kept six DTs, including rookie Tim Smith and Eric Johnson II, who many (including myself) predicted to be cut. The team needs to find a more reliable backup NT to Grover Stewart, and if they find one, I would expect at least one of Smith or Johnson to be waived in the coming days to make room.
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