Indianapolis Colts: Early Rookie Progress Reports

We tend to put high expectations on rookies too soon.

A player's rookie season is often completely irrelevant with regards to their long-term projection in the NFL.

Aaron Rodgers was a backup when he was a rookie. Antonio Brown, arguably the best wide receiver in the league, caught just 16 passes as a rookie. DeMarco Murray started only seven games as a rookie, and he scored just two touchdowns. The list goes on.

But in today's instant-gratification society, we expect Pro-Bowl level contributions from rookies right away, rather than exhibiting any kind of patience. Fortunately for the Indianapolis Colts, they don't need extravagant contributions from any of their rookies, all of which are out-ranked by numerous veterans at their respective positions. 

Still, the more hints that we can get about these players' futures the better, especially during a long offseason. So with that in mind, let's check in with the Indianapolis rookies to find out who has quickly made a name for themselves inside the Colts' facilities.

WR Phillip Dorsett

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Fortunately for Indianapolis, the biggest star among the rookies thus far is wide receiver Phillip Dorsett.

It's fortunate for the Colts, especially Ryan Grigson, because of how widely criticized the pick was back in May. Dorsett was a complete surprise, and the logic behind the pick didn't set well with many people. While the merits of the pick won't be settled for years, Dorsett having a strong rookie year would go a long way in getting people off of Grigson's back.

According to just about every media report out of the Colts' organized team activities (OTAs), Dorsett is fitting in beautifully. According to Zac Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, head coach Chuck Pagano was "gushing" over Dorsett last week, and Andrew Luck praised him for how quickly and easily he's transitioned into the group, according to George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin.

Dorsett has already gotten work in at all three wide receiver positions, a key in Pep Hamilton's offense. While the rookie will likely do most of his work from the slot, the Colts move their receivers around so much that it will be key that Dorsett is able to play from different alignments.

If he is able to do so, and he can be a deep threat and yards-after-catch monster from the X, Z and slot spots, the Colts will be able to create even more matchup problems than already anticipated.

CB Donald Celiscar

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The lone undrafted free agent on this list, former Western Michigan cornerback Donald Celiscar wasted no time in getting attention in Indianapolis.

On the first day of rookie minicamp, Celiscar snatched a pass out from in front of Duron Carter and returned it for a touchdown, according to Kevin Bowen of Colts.com. While one interception in rookie minicamp isn't something that makes NFL careers, Celiscar was also somebody that Ryan Grigson specifically highlighted as one of the key UDFA moves, per George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin.

These offseason training sessions are about getting attention the good way, and Celiscar definitely started off on the right foot.

He's also in a very favorable situation, fighting for a roster spot at a position that is very thin after the starting group. The addition of second-round pick D'Joun Smith takes one of those depth spots away, but the fifth cornerback spot is still wide open, and Celiscar figures to have as good of a shot as any at it.

CB D'Joun Smith

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

It's going to be difficult for cornerback D'Joun Smith to make an impact as a rookie. With Vontae Davis, Darius Butler and Greg Toler solidifying the starting and nickel positions for Indianapolis, Smith would likely need to wait for an injury to get onto the field, outside of occasional dime sets.

While the third-round pick out of Florida Atlanta University hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself yet, he's taking every advantage from that veteran group, including the safeties, to learn as much as he can. Smith is a veritable "sponge," according to Kevin Bowen of Colts.com.

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That opportunity to be a sponge isn’t lost on the 5-11, 190-pound rookie.

“When you have these veterans who have been in the game for a long period of time, they put your wisdom to you,” Smith said. “It makes it easier when you’ve got them on your side to grasp the concepts the coaches are teaching. They take us to the simulator, make sure we get the play calls down. I know this team is all on one accord. We want to go win a Super Bowl and the guys are just bringing us in and is helping the transition even more.”

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According to Bowen, Toler and safety Mike Adams both specifically noted Smith's willingness to learn, which is critical for the young cornerback. He's not, hopefully, going to be asked to carry a large burden in 2015, and if he can use the time to learn as much as he can off the field, it should make for an easier transition when he takes on more responsibility in the future.

S Clayton Geathers

We haven't heard much about fourth-round pick Clayton Geathers so far this offseason and, really, that's to be expected.

The safety out of Central Florida was always going to be a bit of a project player, not necessarily a rookie impact player like Dorsett or defensive lineman Henry Anderson could be. But that has been confirmed by the notes about veteran strong safety Dwight Lowery coming out of camp lately.

Last week, Stephen Holder of the Indy Star noted that Lowery "looks like the clubhouse leader" for the starting safety job next to Mike Adams, largely due to his experience. Kevin Bowen of Colts.com looked at the same subject earlier this week, noting that the Colts coaches have raved about him. Here's what safeties coach Roy Anderson had to say:

"He’s a true pro. (Lowery has) bought into everything that we were trying to teach him and he’s helping out the young guys and at the same time he’s working really well with Mike. He’s just bought into the system, gets along with everybody, a role model for the younger guys."

One of those younger guys is Geathers, who seems to be in a very similar spot as Smith: waiting his turn.

UPDATE: According to Stephen Holder of The Indy Star, the Colts have plans for Geathers in sub-packages, and the rookie made a few plays in practice on Wednesday.

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S Clayton Geathers has gotten a lot snaps today and nearly just made a highlight interception. Keeping an eye on this rookie. #Colts

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 27, 2015"

DL Henry Anderson and David Parry

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Because of how little contact is allowed in the offseason, neither defensive end Henry Anderson or nose tackle David Parry have had a chance to really show off their talent yet.

Still, both players are quickly acclimating in Indianapolis, in large part due to their Stanford background and the familiarity the two have with each other. According to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star, Parry and Anderson both have had very little trouble getting used to the defensive system and terminology, which has a lot of Stanford similarities.

The two also have been lining up next to each other in OTAs, which is how it was in college and what made the Colts take notice of the two, per Chuck Pagano:

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'Hey, check out No. 91 and tell me what you think.' You watch, but then all of a sudden you see this other guy (Parry) flash and make plays and make plays and make plays. Not that he wasn't on our radar, but you say, 'Shoot, this guy isn't too bad either. Maybe the stars will line up right and we might just get both of them.' They wreaked a lot of havoc.

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The two linemen were also roommates in college, and they may room together in Indianapolis as well, depending on how things work out. Just another sign of how easy the transition has been made for the two bodies in the middle.