Predicting Indianapolis Colts' Training Camp Standouts

When the Indianapolis Colts take the field for training camp next week, the team will be looking for players to step up.

The Colts lost numerous key veteran leaders this past offseason due both to financial and injury-related concerns. While it was time for most of these moves, the loss of the players will still have a large impact.

Reggie Wayne, Cory Redding, Gosder Cherilus, Ricky Jean Francois and others were both leaders in the locker room and key contributors over the last few seasons (even more for Wayne). There is a void in Indianapolis, and while young players are projected to step up, this is no guarantee.

Training camp is going to be a time to begin to get a glimpse of this transition. As fans head to Anderson to take in the Colts' workouts, who looks to draw attention?

Pep Hamilton

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The first person who will stand out in training camp is not a player but rather a coach: offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.

The Colts made a number of personnel changes this offseason, letting Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks and Trent Richardson go and replacing them with Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett and Frank Gore. After the drafting of Dorsett in the first round of the Draft, Hamilton addressed how the upgrades at wide receiver could have a big impact.

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Pep Hamilton on drafting Phillip Dorsett: "I immediately ran down to my office & ripped up some of my 3TE & 6OL, 1TE & 2WR packages."

— Steve Andress (@ColtsReporter) May 13, 2015"

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Pep on 3rd WR vs. 3rd CBs "That point alone is what we feel like can be the difference in us taking the next step & getting over the hump."

— Steve Andress (@ColtsReporter) May 13, 2015"

With a boatload of wide receiver depth, two young tight ends and Gore, Hamilton has quite the arsenal at his disposal.

The first chance we'll get to see Hamilton's experiments will be in training camp, and Hamilton is not likely to disappoint. Though there were still instances of odd playcalling in 2014, Hamilton did a strong job overall of unleashing Andrew Luck in a downfield-passing offense.

Now with more weapons than ever, Hamilton is charged with high expectations. The Colts should finish in the top three in total offense and offensive efficiency. If not, something has gone very wrong, whether it's injuries, execution or coaching.

But in training camp, Hamilton is going to shine. With little contact throughout the sessions, the Colts offense will line up in a myriad of formations and personnel groupings that will excite and impress attending fans. Once games start to occur, who knows what will happen, but training camp should be all smiles for the Colts offense.

Phillip Dorsett

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

The most intriguing part of the Colts offense, of course, is first-round pick Phillip Dorsett.

Considering the Colts added two future Hall of Famers this offseason in Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, that's saying quite a bit.

Dorsett is particularly intriguing because of his draft position. Often hailed as a third-round pick early on in the draft process, the speedster out of Miami rapidly climbed the ladder as the draft approached. The Colts ended up shocking the world with the pick in the first round of the draft, where many thought a defensive player or offensive lineman would be the pick.

Had Dorsett been a third-round pick, there wouldn't be this much hype. But the Colts had him graded as one of the top 20 players in this year's draft, clearly believing in his talent, per Mike Wells of ESPN.com.

As such, Dorsett is going to get his opportunities. He already has begun, making play after play in organized team activities (OTAs) and mini-camp to impress local media. Dorsett will learn each spot in the Colts offense, compete for kick return duties and flash big plays in training camp, making Colts fans more excited about his prospects with each passing day.

Clayton Geathers

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

There should be another rookie lighting up training camp, and there are several possibilities. Henry Anderson out of Stanford could be a good candidate, although his impact will be limited during the light contact of training camp.

One guy we'll be watching closely is safety Clayton Geathers.

Geathers probably won't win the starting safety job over veteran Dwight Lowery, but that doesn't mean that he won't turn heads during training camp. Geathers has already begun impressing his coaches, playing very well during OTAs and minicamp.

According to Mike Wells of ESPN.com, Chuck Pagano has already voiced his praise.

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He’s further ahead. He’s kind of exceeded our expectations to this point.

We’re playing him down in the box in sub-packages as a dime backer. So he’s learning the backend plus he’s learning the sub stuff. He’s been really impressive as far as picking things up. He’s an athletic guy. Like I said, he’s going to be one of those guys that in today’s football you can play inside as a dime backer and get faster, get more speed on the field and match up with the tight ends that we’ve got to cover now, the backs out of the backfield and things like that.

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While Geathers may not be able to show off his physical hitting too often in training camp, watch for him to be flying all over the field. The Colts hope he can be a playmaker for the future, and training camp will be the first step.

Jonathan Newsome

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The most promising pass-rusher the Colts have had in some time may go overlooked to start training camp.

While most fans will be watching for veterans Trent Cole and Robert Mathis to make an impact, second-year player Jonathan Newsome could be the team's best pass-rusher in 2015.

Newsome led all rookie edge rushers in sacks last season with 6.5, as well as leading the entire Colts team. But Newsome's playing time really didn't even pick up until midway through the season.

For the first seven weeks of the season, Newsome averaged just 17 snaps per game, per Pro Football Focus. In those first seven games, Newsome had just one sack. From that point on, his snaps doubled, averaging just under 34 snaps per game. He had 6.5 sacks in the next 12 games (including playoffs).

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com called Newsome one of his breakout sophomores for 2015, and it's not difficult to see it happening.

The raw speed in Newsome's pass-rush was evident last year. When coupled with more development and (hopefully) better surrounding talent, Newsome should make some noise right away in training camp this season.

Arthur Jones

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The leadership void in Indianapolis could be filled by a number of players, including newcomers Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, but Arthur Jones must step up as well.

Jones, signed last season on a five-year, $33 million contract, was hampered by injuries throughout the regular season, holding back his play significantly.

After finishing the 2013 season with the Baltimore Ravens with a positive 8.1 grade from Pro Football Focus, Jones finished last season with a negative 10.2 grade. Of course, some of that decline was to be expected, going from a very talented Baltimore front-seven to a much-weaker Colts unit. Still, the Colts expect Jones to be better.

With Cory Redding and Ricky Jean Francois both gone in 2015, Jones is assuming a huge leadership role, and it's one that he should be able to fill. Jones impressed last year with his willingness to come in, work and lead right away, and that should be only more apparent this season.

It's a redemption season for Jones, starting now.