Indianapolis Colts OTA Standouts Worth Keeping an Eye on This Offseason

Three months before the regular season begins, it's impossible for us to know who will perform as key individuals in the 2015 NFL season.

But during the Indianapolis Colts' first few weeks of organized team activities (OTAs), there have been several standout individuals who have caught the attention of coaches, teammates and media. OTAs are, in and of themselves, not a good measure of good or bad players. At the same time, they can provide valuable hints.

As the Colts prepare for the season and integrate new pieces into the locker room, these training periods can be of great use. The quicker the team can sort out roles and become comfortable in them, the more likely they will be to hit the ground running in September. 

So who has stood out in Indianapolis that we should be keeping a closer eye on this fall? Here are a few of the hints we're getting so far.

TE Erik Swoope

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Colts' tight ends have become a bit of a forgotten unit this offseason, as the Colts have added significant upgrades via both free agency and the draft at wide receiver and running back. With big names like Andre Johnson and Frank Gore along with a few very promising rookies, it's fair to expect big things from the positions.

But tight end is one of the Colts' stronger positions, from an overall perspective of both starting talent and depth, with Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener and Jack Doyle all returning. With Allen getting healthy this offseason and Fleener (hopefully) improving, there was potential for key steps forward there without any additions.

Add in second-year tight end Erik Swoope, and the Colts might also have more options for the future.

The former basketball player out of Miami used last season to become comfortable with football and learn the game, and he showed significant strides during last week's OTAs.

"

TE Erik Swoope has made two diving catches today. Looks like a football player to me. #Colts

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

Now, the real test for Swoope will be in training camp when the pads come on, but keep an eye on him throughout the offseason as a potential long-term receiving threat.

SS Clayton Geathers

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Seen as one of the Colts' project players from the 2015 draft, Central Florida safety Clayton Geathers doesn't need to contribute right away as a rookie. A raw prospect from a lesser-known program, Geathers could use his rookie season to get acclimated to the league and learn from veterans without much complaint.

But it seems Geathers is making a mark in OTAs, enough so to impress both media and head coach Chuck Pagano.

"

Practice is over. Couple nice catches for TE Erik Swoope. Lots of snaps for rookie S Clayton Geathers. #Colts

— George Bremer (@gmbremer) May 27, 2015"

"

Pagano believes rookie safety Clayton Geathers could play his way into a bigger role this season. “Great FBI (football intelligence)”.

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) May 27, 2015"

According to Mike Wells of ESPN.com, Pagano said Geathers is playing both as a safety and in sub-packages as a passing down linebacker, the latter with the first team. If Geathers is showing enough that the Colts are confident in throwing him into versatile roles right away, he could be poised to exceed expectations.

WR Phillip Dorsett

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Unlike Geathers, Phillip Dorsett will need to have a big rookie season in order to quiet the critics of Ryan Grigson's first 2015 pick. This is one of a handful of Super Bowl favorites, and the team needs instant production from its first-round pick, or so said critics would assert.

While Dorsett has a talented receiver corp around him, he's making his presence known early and often in these OTAs.

"

Pagano on Phillip Dorsett: “He’s got rare, rare speed.” Pagano loves Dorsett’s burst and how smooth he looks. The rookie had a big TD today.

— Kevin Bowen (@KBowenColts) May 27, 2015"

But this isn't just coachspeak. Every time the Colts' practice has been made open to the media, Dorsett has made an impact.

"

Phillip Dorsett is having a day. Have I mentioned he's fast? #Colts

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 20, 2015"

Again, this is just OTAs, and we can't assume too much from the non-contact drills. But Dorsett fitting in well with the offense isn't going to sit well with any defensive coordinators. His chemistry with Luck will come with knowledge of the playbook and repetitions with the first team, and he's making noise in both counts so far.

OLB Cam Johnson

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Technically, Cam Johnson is returning to Indianapolis this season, although it doesn't feel like he's been present in prior years.

Traded for a conditional seventh-round pick back in 2013, the 25-year-old has been unable to get on the field in the last two years, playing mostly special teams in just 13 games and amassing five tackles. Last season, Johnson went on the injured reserve list just a week into the regular season.

Nobody would expect a player with that resume to make a push for playing time in 2015, especially not one at a position as crowded at outside linebacker. With Erik Walden, Jonathan Newsome, Robert Mathis, Trent Cole and Bjoern Werner all expected to contribute at some point, it's hard to imagine Johnson sticking on the roster.

But Johnson has been sticking out during the first few weeks of OTAs.

"

OLB Jonathan Newsome told me fellow @Colts OLB Cam Johnson is "showing out" during OTAs.

— Steve Andress (@ColtsReporter) May 28, 2015"

Newsome's comments, along with head coach Chuck Pagano's referral to Johnson in regards to special teams aces, per Reggie Hayes of The News-Sentinel, certainly make it seem a roster spot could be held for the former 49er.

If Johnson ends up flashing a good amount during OTAs, we could see a more competitive tryout for spots at the position than we've been anticipating. With the Colts needing pass rush, we could start to see unproductive players dropped for unknowns.

RB Frank Gore

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Both Frank Gore and veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson have been "seamlessly" transitioning into the Indianapolis Colts offense, according to Kevin Bowen of Colts.com, but it's Gore we should be keeping a closer eye on as the offseason continues.

Johnson has a big chance to have a rebound year in a productive offense, even if he was the No. 1 receiver in terms of targets last year, but should he struggle at all, the Colts seem to have enough weapons at tight end and receiver that they could still provide Andrew Luck with plenty of options to throw to.

With Gore, there isn't quite as much confidence in the people behind him. Josh Robinson is promising, and Dan Herron showed he can produce, but it's not nearly the stacked deck the Colts' wide receiver position is.

Gore also has a chance to be a bit more wide-ranging of a weapon, impacting the game as a runner, receiver and pass protector. Ahmad Bradshaw was one of the most productive backs in the league last year before he got hut, and Gore should be able to make that kind of production if he stays healthy.

"

On the flip, Gore's receiving usage will spike. #Colts targeted RBs 113 times last year. #49ers RBs had 39 targets + FB Bruce Miller's 25.

— Evan Silva (@evansilva) May 21, 2015"

If Gore can help give the Colts balance out of the backfield in any way, making defenses focus on him as a runner or receiver out of the backfield, it will open things up downfield for the team's speedy wideouts and tight ends. We have yet to see the Colts' offense with Andrew Luck possess an overall strong running game, and this could be the piece that vaults the unit amongst the best in the league.