Colts’ way too early 53-man roster projection after the first week of free agency shows just how thin their current roster sits
One look at the Colts’ current roster after the first wave of free agency, and you will notice a massive flaw in the team’s plan.
The Indianapolis Colts, like the rest of the league, have been hard at work trying to build their roster for next season ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The team has signed a handful of out-of-house free agents and retained several of its own in-house free agents over the past week. The Colts have also shipped talent out by trading away wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Following all of these moves, it feels like a good time to take a look at what the 53-man roster is shaping up to look like. This way-too-early Colts 53-man projection says a lot, but the loudest message, in my opinion, is that this roster is incredibly thin at nearly every position.
Indianapolis Colts 2026 way-to-early 53-man roster projection
Quarterback (3)
In: Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, free agent/trade
Out: Anthony Richardson (via trade)
Skinny: The biggest question at quarterback was answered when the team elected to hand Daniel Jones a two-year contract extension worth up to $100 million. Now they move toward finding a trade partner for Anthony Richardson and then figuring out how they want to target the last member of the quarterback room to join Jones and Riley Leonard, whether that be a veteran via free agency or through the 2026 NFL Draft.
Running back (3)
In: Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, free agent/rookie
Out: N/A
Skinny: The Colts’ running back room last season was led by Jonathan Taylor and saw multiple veterans have their chance as his backup throughout the year. The current outlook looks even bleaker, as DJ Giddens is the only other running back with a chance of making the roster, which suggests we should expect the team to draft or sign a running back.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould, Laquon Treadwell, rookie/free agent
Out: N/A
Skinny: The Colts’ choice to trade Michael Pittman Jr. and extend Alec Pierce shook up their wide receiver room in a big way. Now, looking at it, you see five players with a very good chance at being on the initial 53-man roster. It also looks pretty clear that the team will add one more wide receiver through free agency or the draft to round out the group. I wouldn’t be shocked if the move ended up being to land Pittman Jr.’s replacement, either.
Tight End (4)
In: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Out: N/A
Skinny: The tight end room is honestly one of the strongest position groups on the Colts roster at this point. All four players in the room could have a big role in the team’s success on the field, led by second-year star Tyler Warren, who the team is hoping to see take the next step into superstardom in 2026.
Offensive line (8)
In: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, free agent/rookie
Out: Josh Sills
Skinny: The Colts are going to roll the dice on a young player taking a step forward to become a full-time starter for a second season in a row. Both Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves rose to the occasion a year ago, and now the team is giving Jalen Travis the chance to do the same to replace Braden Smith at right tackle. The depth behind the starters is where the real concern lives, though. The team has one reliable depth piece right now in Dalton Tucker, in my opinion. Which means we will likely see a move or maybe even multiple before training camp.
Defensive End (5)
In: Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, Michael Clemons, JT Tuimoloau, rookie/trade/free agent signing
Out: N/A
Skinny: At this moment, it’s possible that the Colts have the worst edge room in the NFL. Laiatu Latu is the only starting caliber player on the roster, and if the season started tomorrow, we’d probably see Arden Key announced as a starter. The team simply has to make another move to add another starter, whether that be through the draft, free agency, or even a more aggressive move, a trade.
Interior Defensive Line (5)
In: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Colby Wooden, rookie NT
Out: Derrick Nnadi, Tim Smith
Skinny: Up there with tight end for the best position group on the Colts is the interior of their defensive line. The team has their starters in DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, and I think Adetomiwa, Adebawore, and Colby Wooden seem like near locks to make the roster. That only leaves likely one spot up for grabs, and I don’t think that player is currently on the roster.
Linebacker (5)
In: Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies, Joseph Vaughn, rookie, rookie/free agent
Out: N/A
Skinny: Earlier, I said the Colts’ edge room may currently be the worst in the league. Well, their linebacker room is for sure the worst in the league at this moment. The team doesn’t have a reliable starter on the roster, and I think we will see at least two moves made to bring in players who will end up making the roster at linebacker. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if the team adds three or four linebackers between now and training camp who ultimately make the team’s initial 53-man roster.
Cornerback (6)
In: Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore II, Justin Walley, Mekhi Blackmon, Jaylon Jones
Out: Jonathan Edwards
Skinny: Another pretty deep room for the Colts right now is corner. The team’s starting trio of Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, and Kenny Moore II should be healthy come training camp, and the team likes what they have in Justin Walley coming off a torn ACL, with depth pieces who played well in 2025 in Mehki Blackmon and Jaylon Jones. If there were to be any shake-up, I think it would come in the form of the team moving on from Jones in favor of someone they view as a better fit within Lou Anarumo’s scheme.
Safety (5)
In: Cam Bynum, Juanyeh Thomas, Hunter Wohler, Jonathan Owens, rookie
Out: Daniel Scott, Reuben Lowery III,
Skinny: The Colts lost Nick Cross this offseason, and it led them to make multiple moves to add players to their safety room. The team signed Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens. Both players have experience on special teams, but Thomas offers some upside as a starter, in my opinion. The Colts also liked what they saw from Hunter Wohler during his rookie training camp, but sadly, he suffered a season-ending injury before they could see if that success would translate into the regular season.
Specialists (3)
In: Blake Grupe (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
Out: Spencer Shrader (K)
Skinny: The Colts are going to have an intense battle for their kicker spot between Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader. Both players had great showings with the Colts in 2025, Shrader beginning the year in the role but suffering a season-ending injury, and Grupe finished the year with the team. Right now, I think Grupe has to be looked at as the favorite to win the job just because Shrader’s injury rehab is a bit of a mystery right now, and Grupe made all 11 of his field goal attempts in five games with Indianapolis to end last season.