The Colts' new unofficial depth chart gives a young player hope to make their 53-man roster

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off their first win of the 2024 preseason over the Arizona Cardinals. They are now shifting their focus to their preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, which will kick off Thursday night. With the game just days away, the Colts released their final unofficial depth chart ahead of not only their matchup with the Bengals […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen walks the sideline Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off their first win of the 2024 preseason over the Arizona Cardinals. 

They are now shifting their focus to their preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, which will kick off Thursday night. 

With the game just days away, the Colts released their final unofficial depth chart ahead of not only their matchup with the Bengals but also the NFL's roster cutdown deadline on August 27. 

Cots preseason Week 3 unofficial depth chart: 

Offense:

QB:

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

For the first time in what seems like forever, the Colts are on track to start the same quarterback in Week 1 from the year prior. But there are still some exciting things to watch for at the QB position. For example, will the team keep three, or will they utilize the new rule allowing them to have their third QB on the practice squad? 

RB:

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

WR: 

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

WR: 

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

WR: 

1. Josh Downs
2. Anthony Gould
3. Greg Ward

TE:

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

TE: 

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

One of the biggest storylines going on about the Colts ahead of the roster cutdown is, without a doubt, Jelani Woods. For the first time in his NFL career, the Colts 2022 third-round pick's roster spot seems truly in doubt. Seeing him listed above, Will Mallory, here makes me more hopeful that his chances of making the roster might be better than people think it is. 

LT: 

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

LG: 

1. Quenton Nelson
2. Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini 

C: 

1. Ryan Kelly 
2. Danny Pinter OR Tanor Bortolini 
3. Ryan Coll (Now released) 

The Colts say there is still competition between rookie Tanor Bortolini and veteran Danny Pinter, but I don't know if I agree. They seem to be favoring Bortolini and his upside over Pinter, especially as the backup center. But with both being the only players competing as the backup LG and C, there seems to be a world where both stick around on the 53-man roster. 

RG: 

1. Will Fries 
2. Josh Sills (Now released) OR Dalton Tucker

The Colts announced the release of veteran Josh Sills on Monday, which leaves undrafted free agent Dalton Tucker as the only backup right guard on the roster. It usually would seem shocking to see a UDFA make the roster, but I think it makes sense in this case. Tucker has had an impressive summer in training camp and the preseason. I'd honestly be shocked not to see him make the team's 53-man roster. 

RT: 

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

Defense:

Edge: 

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

Edge: 

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

The Colts can keep listing rookie Laiatu Latu as a backup all they want; I don't believe it. When the regular season arrives, I'd be shocked to see Latu not getting a top-two share of the snaps off the edge. Anytime his teammates or coaches have had the chance to talk about him, they have glowing reviews of Latu on and off the field. And with Samson Ebukam likely missing the entire season, it makes too much sense for the Colts to fully unleash their 2024 first-round pick. 

DT: 

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

NT: 

1. Grover Stewart
2. Taven Bryan 
3. Eric Johnson II
4. Raekwon Davis (Now Called activated from the NFI list) 

The Colts have seen Adetomiwa Adebawore seemingly take a big step forward as a player this offseason, making him the clear best option to be DeForest Buckner's backup in 2024. For the NT position, let's just all be thankful Raekwon Davis was activated off the NFI list Monday because Taven Bryan simply isn't a fit. 

WLB: 

1. E.J. Speed
2. Jayon 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 

CB: 

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

Slot CB: 

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

FS: 

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

SS: 

1. Julian Blackmon 
2. Ronnie Harrison Jr. 

The Colts look to have their two starting safeties decided in Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross. The big question will be whether the positions they are listed above will be where they actually play. Cross had a great day during the team's second preseason game while playing SS, and Blackmon had experience playing FS prior to making the switch last season. I personally think we will see both play a hybrid-type role where they can be essentially interchangeable, especially if Cross struggles when asked to play deep in single-high styles.

Special Teams: 

Kicker: 

1. Matt Gay
2. Spencer Shrader

Punter: 

1. Rigoberto Sanchez 

Long Snapper

1. Luke Rhodes

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