Projecting Indianapolis Colts' Most Heated Roster Battles This Offseason
Over the last two months, the Indianapolis Colts have made major changes to their roster, adding more than 30 new bodies through free agency, the NFL draft and undrafted free agency.
Still, the bulk of the starting roster is projected to remain unchanged. This is a roster that got to the AFC Championship Game last season, it can certainly be successful. But it needs a few significant upgrades in order to take the next step.
That's where the hope in the newcomers lies. With veterans like Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Trent Cole in the mix, the Colts must take advantage of these upgrades in 2015 while developing young players to take over for said veterans in the years to come.
But for this season, there are still starting positions up for grabs, question marks that the Colts will attempt to answer through competitions in training camp. Today we look at the candidates for those spots, whether they be veterans or rookies, and break down how they can help the Colts in 2015.
Safety: Dwight Lowery vs. Clayton Geathers
1 of 6
The most gaping hole on the Colts roster going into the offseason was unanimously the strong safety position next to Mike Adams. There was a reason that Alabama safety Landon Collins was a common target among local mock drafts. Winston Guy and Dewey McDonald, the other two safeties on the roster, are practice squad and special teams players in an ideal situation.
So the Colts went after serviceable replacements, signing Dwight Lowery out of Atlanta and drafting Clayton Geathers out of Central Florida in the fourth round.
Lowery started 15 games for the Falcons last season, and while he struggled in coverage at times, he did finish with a positive-1.1 grade from Pro Football Focus. Geathers is a hard hitter that still needs to learn some of the nuances of the game, but could bring a punishing presence to the Colts secondary.
Projected Winner: Dwight Lowery
The Colts hope that Geathers is the long-term solution at safety, something they've been lacking for years. But he is more of a developmental prospect, and having Lowery in place should give him time to learn before being thrust into a significant role. Geathers could see more snaps as the season goes along, but Lowery should start the season as Adams' partner.
Center: Khaled Holmes vs. Jonotthan Harrison
2 of 6
The Colts have had an issue in the middle of their offensive line ever since Jeff Saturday moved on.
Samson Satele wasn't the answer, though he was given more opportunities than he deserved to prove that he was. The team signed A.Q. Shipley numerous times, and while he was effective, the team wanted a more powerful run-blocker at the position.
Khaled Holmes was drafted in the fourth round in 2013, but he has struggled through injuries in his first two seasons, not seeing the field in a significant role until late last season. Jonotthan Harrison, an undrafted free agent last year, flashed a powerful skill set, but struggled with the mental side of the game last year.
Without making a significant addition in the offseason, the Colts will be relying on Harrison and Holmes again this season. Both have significant flaws, but they can be effective as well. The key for the Colts will be picking one and sticking with him, building continuity that can be the key for an offensive line unit.
Projected Winner: Khaled Holmes
Harrison lost his job midway through last season because he caused too many negative plays, whether it was through bad snaps or whiffed pass blocks. Holmes struggled in his limited stints, but if he's healthy, he can lead the offensive line and will likely win the job.
Cornerback: D'Joun Smith vs. The Field
3 of 6
Counting nickel cornerback Darius Butler, who played over 600 snaps last year, according to Pro Football Focus, the Colts' starting corners are a fairly solid group. With Pro Bowler Vontae Davis and Greg Toler manning the outside and Butler in the slot, the Colts could be far worse off.
But the Colts drafted D'Joun Smith in the third round to prepare for the future. Though a raw prospect, Smith is a fiery competitor and will be working out of the gate to get playing time.
Davis is safe, certainly. But while Butler and Toler are the incumbents, they are not untouchable. If Smith impresses in the offseason, it's completely conceivable that he could push either of the two for time.
According to head coach Chuck Pagano, per Colts.com, Smith has played both outside and in the slot in rookie minicamp. Smith's versatility was a key part of why the Colts drafted him with their second pick in the 2015 draft, and it will allow him to play any cornerback spot when the opportunity arises.
Projected Winner: The Field
While Smith likely won't win a starting job in training camp, he can sow the seeds for taking over if need be later in the year.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Right Guard: Hugh Thornton vs. Himself
4 of 6
After drafting Hugh Thornton in the third round of the 2013 draft, the Colts had high hopes that the former University of Illinois product could take over as a guard of the future. However, Thornton's development was rushed in 2013 as he was thrust into a starting role, where he struggled at left guard and didn't jell with Anthony Castonzo.
After being moved to his more natural right guard position in 2014, there was hope that he could maximize his athleticism and strength to become a viable starting-caliber guard. Unfortunately, Thornton continued to struggle with pass protection, was sloppy in his technique and battled numerous injuries throughout the year.
As a result, the Colts re-signed utility guard Joe Reitz and brought in veteran Todd Herremans from Philadelphia. Thornton should be able to win the job if he develops as the Colts hope; he has the highest ceiling from a physical standpoint. However, Herremans is a much more experienced player, Reitz is a much more dependable pass protector and the Colts won't force Thornton into the starting lineup if he can't handle it.
Thornton has a chance to take a big step this year, and the third year of a player's career is often where they either make or break their trajectory. It's dependent on Thornton.
Projected Winner: Todd Herremans
I'd like to see Thornton develop more, but I think Herremans will provide a bit more stability for the team, especially early on.
Running Back: Dan Herron vs. Josh Robinson
5 of 6
When the Colts signed Frank Gore in the offseason, it was assumed that he would take the lead role as the starting running back, giving the team a sure starter for the first offseason in years.
But the second running back spot is still up for grabs. The Colts will likely use a three-back rotation throughout the year, but the order in which the backs come off the bench to spell Gore will matter, from a snaps perspective.
The incumbent candidate is Dan "Boom" Herron, who came off the bench and was effective last season but is certainly upgradeable. The newcomer is sixth-round pick Josh Robinson, who is extremely difficult to tackle and more versatile than given credit for.
Herron has the experience, but Robinson has a higher ceiling and possesses more natural talent. The battle will be a key one, especially if the Colts are trying to spell Gore throughout the year.
Projected Winner: Josh Robinson
Robinson has a chance to make a big impact and be a future starter, something I think is likely a bit out of reach for Herron. The Colts need to develop the guy who will be the long-term contributor, and Herron is best suited as a third back anyway.
Defensive Line: Henry Anderson vs. Kendall Langford
6 of 6
Former Miami Dolphin and St. Louis Ram Kendall Langford has been put into a difficult spot this offseason.
Though he was signed to a four-year, $17.2 million contract this offseason, just $2.5 million was guaranteed, making Langford expendable in the big picture. With that kind of contract, Langford was clearly brought in to start, but the Colts aren't committing themselves long-term if they don't have to.
That in itself could be a stressful situation, but then the Colts drafted Henry Anderson in the third round. The former Cardinal is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the 2015 class, and he could push Langford for playing time right away.
Anderson should be the long-term play as the Colts' 5-tech, but how much can he push Langford as a rookie? That will be the question for the offseason and training camp as the Colts flesh out their rotations for the 2015 season.
Projected Winner: Kendall Langford
Early on, watch for Anderson to be rotated in on pass-rushing downs, but he'll impress enough in training camp and practices to start at some point in the 2015 season. It just probably won't be Week 1.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
