5 Dark-Horse Candidates to Make Indianapolis Colts' Final 53-Man Roster

As the Indianapolis Colts' training camp approaches, the biggest speculation circulating the Web will be about who will make the final roster and who will be cut.

For now, we don't have any more new information to guide our way in this process, as the training camp and preseason games will go a long way in determining the 53-man roster. Still, we can begin to project a core roster and probable members of the 2015 Colts.

Last week, we looked at 10 players riding the edge of the potential roster cuts, including predictions for five in and five out.

This week, we're looking at five more players who could make the roster, although traditional wisdom would have them outside the 53-man roster. Every season, there are a few surprise players to stand out in training camp and make the cut; could one of the players on this list be that guy in 2015?

RB Tyler Varga

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After Frank Gore, rookie Josh Robinson and Daniel Herron, the Colts' fourth running back could come down to just about anybody.

It could be returning Zurlon Tipton, who worked his way into the rotation in the playoffs last season, scoring a touchdown in the AFC Championship Game. It could be Vick Ballard, returning from consecutive season-ending injuries but with starting-level potential.

One player who's slipped under the radar, however, is Yale's Tyler Varga, whom the Colts signed as an undrafted free agent soon after the draft.

Varga's claim to the roster is set on two things. First, he probably has a higher ceiling than Tipton and Ballard at this point with Tipton's limited athleticism and Ballard's injuries. Varga was the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2014 and certainly has some ability. Second, he's the back on the roster best suited to transition to fullback if necessary.

Right now, it doesn't look like the Colts have a fullback on the roster, though they would likely use third tight end Jack Doyle if necessary. Varga played fullback during the week leading up to the Senior Bowl, and while it's not something he's quite comfortable with, he has the traits and willingness to work at it.

TE Erik Swoope

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With no fullback on the roster, the Colts have an extra offensive roster spot to play with.

The spot could go to a fifth running back (or fullback), a sixth wide receiver or a fourth tight end. Five backs would be a bit much, so I would lean toward a receiver or tight end at this point.

Ironically, former Miami basketball player Erik Swoope might be just a little bit of both.

Swoope spent all of last season learning the game and how to compete in the NFL, but it seems like he may be ready to take the next step in 2015.

Catching the eye of the media and of head coach Chuck Pagano in OTAs and minicamp, Swoope is one of a handful of players who have stuck out. If that continues through training camp and the preseason, the Colts might be in a sticky situation.

If they put him back on the practice squad, he'll be a risk to get snatched up by another team. If they carry him on the roster, it's kind of a dead roster spot, as he would be an almost completely developmental player at this point.

No matter how much better he looks, he's not replacing Coby Fleener in 2015, and Fleener has a pretty solid record of staying healthy. Swoope isn't the blocker that the Colts would need if Dwayne Allen went down with injury, and Jack Doyle would probably take his place.

Still, if Swoope does show progress, he might be worth protecting so the Colts can have options next spring when Fleener's contract is up.

OT Ulrick John

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The Colts' depth at offensive tackle is not pretty.

Anthony Castonzo and Gosder Cherilus are a decent starting duo if fully healthy, but the latter hasn't been fully healthy for nearly a year.

The two backups are a couple of natural guards in Jack Mewhort and Joe Reitz. Neither looked good at right tackle when forced into duty last season, although Mewhort's development could put him on an arc at tackle that could be a good thing for Indianapolis.

After those two, it's a complete question mark.

The Colts have spent seventh-round picks on developmental projects at tackle for the last two seasons, the first of which was Ulrick John in 2014. John played football at Georgia State in college and is an athletic, if slightly small (6'5", 311 lbs), prospect. 

With his frame being adequate for adding weight and John being put on injured reserve for all of 2014, he may have been able to bulk up for this season. With a bit more strength and some acclimation to the NFL, John may be ready to take on a reserve role for the Colts, which is much needed in their current state.

If not, there's always the practice squad.

OLB Zack Hodges

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One of the most intriguing positions to watch in training camp for Indianapolis will be outside linebacker, a position with more depth and promise than it's seen in a long time.

But even with all the depth, there is much uncertainty.

With Robert Mathis still trying to come back from injury, there is little knowledge about when he'll actually be able to play. He's a 34-year-old trying to return from a season-ending Achilles tear. There are bound to be complications.

Then there is Trent Cole (32 years old) and Bjoern Werner (who struggled mightily with injuries last season). With those two being potential injury risks as well, there is a strong possibility that a spot on the roster could open up for one of the current long shots.

We've talked a lot about Cam Johnson's potential to make the roster, but undrafted free agent Zack Hodges could be somebody to watch as well.

Hodges was named the Ivy League Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and was a second-team AP FCS All-American. During the Colts' OTAs, he drew praise from fellow outside linebacker Jonathan Newsome, per Steve Andress of Colts.com.

Physically, Hodges actually compares favorably to Newsome, and he could be a potential depth pass-rusher if a spot opens up. He's two years younger than Johnson, and the latter has an injury history.

CB Deveron Carr

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The battle for the fifth cornerback spot is one of the biggest unknowns when looking at the secondary for 2015. Most of the roster spots are set in stone, to some extent.

The top four cornerbacks are settled, with Vontae Davis, Greg Toler, Darius Butler and D'Joun Smith in place. The top three safeties are all but decided with Mike Adams, Dwight Lowery and Clayton Geathers. It's just those final two secondary spots (nine secondary members is usually the limit) left in play. 

Most would give the edge to one of the rookies or developmental players for the final cornerback spot, but the Colts did sign veteran Deveron Carr after the veteran combine back in March.

Carr is still young, turning 25 this year, so the developmental aspect isn't completely lost on him, and he also has a year's worth of special teams experience from his time in Tampa Bay in 2013.

The incumbent, Sheldon Price, or the cornerback-safety hybrid potential in undrafted rookie Donald Celiscar may have the advantage from the gate, but Carr has already shown that he's willing to put in work to get back into the league. His experience on special teams might just get him there.