The opening stages of the 2024 NFL free agency period has come and gone, with things being awfully quiet across the NFL scene. 

The Indianapolis Colts used the opening days of free agency to re-sign multiple key in-house free agents. But they have yet to sign a new starter for the 2024 season via free agency. 

Now that the dust has settled, let's look at the current state of the Colts' roster and where things are likely to go from here. 

Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free agent addition and does not include a re-signed player. Offense's base personnel is projected as 11-personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE) and defense's base personnel is projected as 4-3 base defense (four down lineman, three linebackers).

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Quarterback (3)

Presumed starter: Anthony Richardson
Backup(s): Joe Flacco*, Sam Ehlinger

How we got here: For the first time since 2016, the Colts seem on track to have the same week one starting QB in convective seasons, with Anthony Richardson being on track to be healthy by then. But the Colts did lose Gardner Minshew, who started 13 games for the team last season due to Richardson missing time with injuries. This led them to add their most prominent out-of-house free agent this offseason in, Joe Flacco. Flacco now joins Sam Ehlinger as the depth QBs behind Richardson on the depth chart. 

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Running back (4)

Presumed starter(s): Jonathan Taylor
Backup(s): Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson

How we got here: Jonathan Taylor is the clear bell cow in the RB room at the moment. Last season, even when Taylor was healthy, they liked to split carries with backup Zach Moss to take some of the pressure off him. But Moss signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. And I have a hard time seeing any of the current depth RBs stepping into a role as large as Moss saw last season. 

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Wide receiver (9)

Presumed starter(s): Michael Pittman Jr. (X), Alec Pierce (Z), Josh Downs (slot)
Backup(s): Ashton Dulin, D.J. Montgomery, Juwann Winfree, Ethan Fernea, Tyrie Cleveland, Terrell Bynum

How we got here: The Colts' big move for the WR room so far has been re-signing star WR Michael Pittman Jr. The starters in the room are expected to remain the same, and their biggest loss in the room is Isaiah McKenzie signed with the New York Giants, who was the Colts backup slot WR and returner last season. 

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Tight end (6)

Presumed starter(s): Kylen Granson
Backup(s): Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Will Mallory, Jordan Murray, Eric Tomlinson

How we got here: One of the hardest rooms to predict a starter on this roster is TE. Jelani Woods has the most upside in the room, but he missed all of last season due to a lingering hamstring injury. So, for now, Kylen Granson likely has the best chance at that job. But the Colts are most likely to deploy a committee approach at TE again next season with the current roster. 

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Offensive line (12)

Presumed starter(s): Braden Smith (RT), Will Fries (RG), Ryan Kelly (C), Quenton Nelson (LG), Bernhard Raimann (LT)
Backup(s): Blake Freeland, Jake Witt, Josh Sills, Danny Pinter, Wesley French, Arlington Hambright, Lewis Kidd

How we got here: The Colts are projected to return their same starting five on the offensive line next season and even re-signed Danny Pinter to return all of their priority depth offensive linemen. 

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Defensive line (13)

Presumed starter(s): Kwity Paye (Edge), DeForest Buckner (DT), Grover Stewart (DT), Samson Ebukam (Edge) 
Backup(s): Dayo Odeyingbo, Raekwon Davis*, Tyquan Lewis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Taven Bryan, Titus Leo, Isaiah Land, Eric Johnson II, Genard Avery

How we got here: The Colts are expected to deploy the same starting defensive line that led the charge to record the most sacks of the Indianapolis era in Colts franchise history. Their second and final free agency signing to date, though, was DT Raekwon Davis, who spent the past four seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Davis now projects as the team's backup NT behind Grover Stewart, a spot that was a liability last season when Taven Bryan or Eric Johnson II had to play extensive snaps. 

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Linebacker (7)

Presumed starter(s): E.J. Speed (WILL), Zaire Franklin (MLB), Segun Olubi (SAM)
Backup(s): Grant Stuard, Cameron McGrone, Austin Ajiake, Liam Anderson

How we got here: The Colts are returning their entire starting LB core from last season outside of Shaq Leonard, who was released midseason last year. If I had to predict the current third starter today, it would be Segun Olubi, but I wouldn't be shocked if the actual starter there isn't on the roster quite yet. 

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Cornerback (7)

Presumed starter(s): Juju Brents (CB), Jaylon Jones (CB), Kenny Moore II (Slot)
Backup(s): Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr., Ameer Speed, Chris Lammons

How we got here: One of the biggest shocks of the Colts offseason has been the lack of moves to add to their young secondary that held their defense back last season. They are currently projected to return both starting outside CBs from last year in Juju Brents and Jaylon Jones, who will enter their second NFL seasons. And the Colts re-signed Kenny Moore II to be the veteran leader in the room and to man their starting slot CB role, a job he has proven to be one of the best in the NFL. 

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Safety (8)

Presumed starter(s): Rodney Thomas II (FS), Nick Cross (SS)
Backup(s): Ronnie Harrison Jr., Daniel Scott, Trevor Denbow, Kendell Brooks, Marcel Dabo, Michael Tutsie

How we got here: Another position that the Colts have yet to add help to is their safety room. In fact, it's one of the few areas that are projected to be worse off than last year, as Julian Blackmon remains a free agent who is coming off a career-best year at SS. Which currently has Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II set to start for the Colts.  

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Special Teams (3)

Presumed starter(s): Matt Gay (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
Backup(s): N/A
Returners: Josh Downs (PR), Dallis Flowers (KR)

How we got here: The Colts are returning the main core of their special teams unit, with Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, and Luke Rhodes ready to take on the kicking/punting units. The biggest change will be in the return game as Isaiah McKenzie is no longer with the team so I'd expect Josh Downs and Dallis Flowers to man these role of the players currently on the roster. 

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Where do things go from here?

Rostered players: 72
Spots available: 28

While the Colts have been fairly quiet in free agency their work re-signing multiple key in-house free agents doesn't leave them many spots on the roster. They have six draft picks as of right now and likely will end up with more after a few Chris Ballard staple trade backs. And the Colts are known to bring 10-13 undrafted free agents. 

At this point of free agency It's not super likely that the Colts make any significant moves before seeing how the 2024 NFL Draft plays out. But I think it's safe to assume multiple starter spots on this roster will not be players currently on the roster. Some spots I consider options for this are: 

• FS
• SS
• SAM LB
• CB
• WR

I also expect the team to add more depth at RB and WR due to their current options not being great if they need to play significant snaps when the season comes around. 

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