Indianapolis Colts: Way-Too-Early 53-Man Roster and Depth Chart Predictions

The 2016 NFL draft is complete, and the Indianapolis Colts have certainly made strides with eight total picks. 

Starting the draft with six picks and ending with eight is always nice, but the Colts actually added pieces that will help them, particularly in the long run. The Colts focused heavily on the offensive line, drafting four linemen, including three in the first five rounds. 

The focus on offensive linemen was not a surprise, but four picks on them, including two tackles and two centers, was not expected. The team also focused on athletic, high-upside players, indicating a long-term focus that has not always been present before. 

The Colts now look ahead to training camp, where plenty of camp battles await. Today, we take a look at the projected depth chart and a very early 53-man roster prediction. Note that these do not include undrafted free agents, who will officially be announced on Monday. 

Quarterback

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Andrew Luck
2	Scott Tolzien

If you want the 2016 season to be about one thing for Indianapolis, it's getting Andrew Luck back, and getting him back on track. Luck was a disaster when he played in 2015, whether it was due to undisclosed injuries at the beginning of the season or not, and the Colts' entire future rests on him becoming the quarterback he was projected to be a couple of years ago. 

Luck isn't completely healed from his lacerated kidney just yet, but he should enter training camp healthy, and on a new extension, in which owner Jim Irsay hopes to lock up the franchise quarterback for as long as possible, per ESPN.com. 

The backup position will be a competition, but former Green Bay backup Scott Tolzien is the clear favorite. The Colts shouldn't carry more than two quarterbacks into the season. 

Running Back

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Frank Gore
2	Robert Turbin
3	Jordan Todman
4	Tyler Varga

Frank Gore is one of the biggest winners from this weekend, as the Colts not only drafted four offensive linemen, at least one of which will start, but they didn't draft a running back either, hinting at another year of a heavy workload for Gore. Ryan Kelly filling in at center should do wonders to help open up lanes on the inside, which alone will do wonders for Gore's production. 

None of the backups stick out in this case; while Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman were once high-upside prospects, expectations are low at this point in their careers. Turbin has the edge for the third-down back role, but camp will be interesting. 

Tyler Varga is the wild card, having gotten familiar with the Colts offense last year and occasionally showing flashes. The Colts likely will have a UDFA or two competing in this group as well, and they would probably like to have one pass over Todman or Varga for a spot on the roster. 

Wide Receiver

AJ Mast/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	T.Y. Hilton
2	Donte Moncrief
3	Phillip Dorsett
4	Quan Bray
5	UDFA

The Colts' depth at wide receiver is thin at the moment, which is why it's rather surprising that the team didn't draft a receiver at all. There is no question that the position will be a heavy hitter for the team's UDFA signings and tryout invitees. 

Fortunately, the team does have some versatility and talent at the top of the depth chart, led by T.Y. Hilton. The fan favorite was frustrated for most of last season without Andrew Luck, but he still finished with his third-consecutive 1,000-yard season. His running mate, Donte Moncrief, had a strong sophomore year, but he will look to take a bigger leap with Luck back in 2012. 

It's a good thing the team drafted Phillip Dorsett in the first round last year, or the team's receiver depth chart would be bare. The team figures to run quite a bit of three-WR sets with Coby Fleener in New Orleans, and Dorsett should have a big role, whether it be in the slot or outside.

The fourth and fifth spots will be one of the biggest competitions of training camp, with return man Quan Bray currently holding the advantage for a spot. It would not be surprising if multiple UDFAs made the roster here, and I'd be surprised if at least one didn't make it. 

Tight End

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Depth Chart	Player
1	Dwayne Allen
2	Jack Doyle
3	Erik Swoope

The Colts showed just how much they are invested in Dwayne Allen this offseason with a four-year, $29 million contract, despite injury and production issues over the last few seasons. After a stellar rookie year, Allen missed an entire year in 2013, caught eight touchdown passes but finished the season on a downward slope after injury in 2014 and caught just 16 passes in 2015. 

With Fleener in New Orleans, the Colts should go to more single-TE sets in 2016, and Allen is sure to figure into the passing game plan more than he did in a dismal 2015. Jack Doyle can play on a rotational basis, especially as a blocker, but you don't want your offense running around his sets. 

Erik Swoope, the former Miami basketball convert, has continued to develop in Indianapolis. With no other real threats on the current depth chart, Swoope's best chance to make the active roster will likely be this season. 

Offensive Line

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Position	Player
1	OT	Anthony Castonzo
1	OT	Joe Reitz
1	OG	Jack Mewhort
1	OG	Hugh Thornton
1	C	Ryan Kelly
2	OT	Denzelle Good
3	OT	Joe Haeg
2	OG	Le'Raven Clark
3	OG	Austin Blythe
2	C	Khaled Holmes
3	C	Jonathan Harrison

The Colts' starting lineup may not change much in 2016, but one thing is for sure: Rookie first-round pick Ryan Kelly will be starting at center. Unless something tragic happens, Kelly is your new starter in the middle, hopefully for years to come. 

The rest of the starting lineup is the question. The left side is set with Anthony Castonzo, fresh off of a contract extension last fall, at left tackle and rising third-year player Jack Mewhort at left guard. The right side will depend on how the rookies look in training camp, but given the developmental nature of Le'Raven Clark and Joe Haeg, we'll stick with Joe Reitz (who could play guard if need be) at tackle and Hugh Thornton at guard. 

The real wild card is Denzelle Good, who could be in play to start at right tackle, allowing Joe Reitz to move inside or take a more rotational, sixth-man role. Clark and Austin Blythe may both move to guard, simply because of need. 

For now, both 2015 centers are on my roster, but don't be surprised if one or both are cut in the fall in order to keep an extra running back, receiver or tight end. 

Defensive End

Chris Keane/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Kendall Langford
2	Henry Anderson
3	Arthur Jones
4	Hassan Ridgeway
5	T.Y. McGill

The strength of the defensive line lies in the health of its ends. Arthur Jones, who was supposed to be the Colts' starting 3-technique defensive end (also labeled a defensive tackle) in each of the last two seasons, has struggled to stay on the field, and he missed the entire 2015 campaign. Henry Anderson, who the Colts stole in the third round last season, tore his ACL midway through the year. 

If Anderson is healthy, he's a stud, the future of the Colts defensive line. He disrupts the offense, no matter if it is a pass or run, consistently causing havoc in the backfield. Jones is a starting-caliber player if healthy, but nobody really knows what to make of him at this point. Kendall Langford played well last season at 5-technique defensive end and is the primary starter there. 

If all three are healthy, who knows what the line up is? Anderson can play either 3 or 5-technique, and he could back up or start over either player. All three players would probably get plenty of snaps. 

Hassan Ridgeway was an excellent pick in the fourth round of the draft this year, adding interior pressure to a team that desperately needs pass rush. Ridgeway will also likely play 3-technique. T.Y. McGill showed a lot of promise last year, and he will likely be a late-year resource when injuries hit this unit. 

Nose Tackle

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	David Parry
2	Zach Kerr

The Colts' two-down nose tackles are a young, under-appreciated group. Parry, a fifth-round pick, is undersized but plays with plenty of power and a ton of toughness. He hit a wall part-way through his rookie season, but he should be a serviceable nose tackle for a few years. 

Kerr has more potential than Parry, but he hasn't improved much since his rookie season. Still, he'll flash with impressive plays on occasion and is a perfectly good rotational nose tackle. 

These guys won't be winning any awards any time soon, but they allow the deep group of 5 and 3-technique ends to do their job well. 

Outside Linebacker

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Robert Mathis
2	Erik Walden
3	Trent Cole
4	Trevor Bates

The Colts' outside linebackers are hurting for youth and pass-rush ability, but the team didn't like any of the ones available to them throughout the draft, leaving them with a very similar depth chart to last season. 

"

Grigson: Pass rush. Some players we looked at, but 'those players' came off early. Weren't going to take a guy just to take a guy.

— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) April 30, 2016"

Robert Mathis is going to be the primary pass-rusher this season, which isn't particularly enticing given his age (35). Mathis did have seven sacks last year, coming off of an Achilles injury, but expecting more than that at his age is a fool's errand. It's a similar situation with Trent Cole, who struggled mightily all year last season, but he restructured his contract to return in 2016. 

While Erik Walden is often criticized for his overpaid contract in 2013, the reality is that he's been the most consistent front-seven player over the last three years. He's not a pass-rusher, but he is versatile and holds the edge well against the run. He is entering the final year of his contract, however, and turns 31 in August. 

Seventh-round pick Trevor Bates is an interesting player, with great short-area quickness and decent explosion, even for a player with limited size on the edge. There are tools there to develop, but it wouldn't be shocking if he got beat out by a UDFA either. 

Inside Linebacker

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	D'Qwell Jackson
2	Nate Irving
3	Josh McNary
4	Antonio Morrison
5	Sio Moore

The Colts' inside linebacker group is hurting after losing Jerrell Freeman in the offseason, and there is no proven replacement for him on the roster. With D'Qwell Jackson already slowing down, it's difficult to project optimism for this group in 2016. 

Nate Irving and Sio Moore were both brought in last season, but with injuries slowing down the transition, both did little with their opportunities. Josh McNary has played a rotational role for a couple of years now, but he's more of a gadget player, one who can also play OLB in a pinch, than a true ILB contributor. 

The one wild card is Antonio Morrison. Morrison's testing numbers were terrible at his pro day, and he's not particularly athletic, but he has relatively strong film. He did lose athleticism with multiple surgeries last year, so the question is whether or not the pro day was an aberration, or a symptom of lost quickness that won't ever return. 

Cornerback

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

n

Depth Chart	Player
1	Vontae Davis
2	Patrick Robinson
3	Darius Butler
4	D'Joun Smith
4	Jalil Brown

The Colts cornerback group received some addition by subtraction this offseason, allowing Greg Toler to walk in free agency. The team replaced him with Patrick Robinson, a player who has struggled for most of his career before having a standout season in 2015 in San Diego. 

Both two veterans will start, along with Darius Butler, but how they all fit together is a question. Robinson's success has been most prevalent in the slot, but so has Butler's. Robinson will likely be outside for now, but if 2015 third-round pick D'Joun Smith improves and can play outside, you may see Robinson slip inside in nickel, while Butler gets phased out. 

The final spot is up for grabs, with Brown holding current advantage due to experience in the Colts system. Don't be surprised to see an UDFA make a push for this spot, however. 

Safety

David Goldman/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
1	Mike Adams
2	Clayton Geathers
3	T.J. Green
4	Winston Guy

The Colts safeties are not an area for optimism in 2016, thanks to Mike Adams' aging and Clayton Geathers' struggles in coverage last season. 

However, there is optimism in the long run. Geathers has the tools to be a solid strong safety, with big tackling ability and toughness in the middle of the field. Second-round pick T.J. Green has elite athleticism and versatility, able to jump down into the slot if need be or play center field zone coverage. 

In two years, the two could make a sneaky-good duo. But for now, Geathers has a lot to prove, and it seems unlikely that Green even plays much in 2016, as he's a developmental prospect. The Colts' hopes rest on Mike Adams' aging body holding up for one more year and Geathers' quick improvement. 

Guy is a special teams player only, in an ideal world, but he can hold his own for a short period of time.

Special Teams

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Depth Chart	Player
Kicker	Adam Vinatieri
Punter	Pat McAfee
Kick Returner	Quan Bray
Punt Returner	Quan Bray

The Colts' special teams projects to be steady and solid once again, with locker-room elder Adam Vinatieri and his reliable leg returning and arguably league-best punter Pat McAfee continuing to provide the Colts with exceptional field position. 

The return game isn't quite so promising, as Quan Bray is currently slotted as the return man. For Indianapolis, this is a yearly camp competition, and Bray certainly has no convincing hold on the job. 

53-Man Roster Projection

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Here's the projected roster at this time, but make note that there will likely be three or more undrafted free agents who make the team instead of some of these back-end players. I have slotted one UDFA into the prediction, simply because the team has virtually no receiver depth. 

53-Man Roster Projection

	Player	Position
1	Andrew Luck	Quarterback
2	Scott Tolzien	Quarterback
3	Frank Gore	Running Back
4	Robert Turbin	Running Back
5	Jordan Todman	Running Back
6	Tyler Varga	Running Back
7	T.Y. Hilton	Wide Receiver
8	Donte Moncrief	Wide Receiver
9	Phillip Dorsett	Wide Receiver
10	Quan Bray	Wide Receiver
11	Undrafted Free Agent	Wide Receiver
12	Dwayne Allen	Tight End
13	Jack Doyle	Tight End
14	Erik Swoope	Tight End
15	Anthony Castonzo	Offensive Tackle
16	Joe Haeg	Offensive Tackle
17	Joe Reitz	Offensive Tackle/Guard
18	Denzelle Good	Offensive Tackle/Guard
19	Le'Raven Clark	Offensive Tackle/Guard
20	Jack Mewhort	Offensive Guard
21	Hugh Thornton	Offensive Guard
22	Ryan Kelly	Center
23	Khaled Holmes	Center/Guard
24	Jonathan Harrison	Center/Guard
25	Austin Blythe	Center/Guard
26	Arthur Jones	Defensive Tackle
27	Hassan Ridgeway	Defensive Tackle
28	T.Y. McGill	Defensive Tackle
29	Kendall Langford	Defensive End
30	Henry Anderson	Defensive End
31	David Parry	Nose Tackle
32	Zach Kerr	Nose Tackle
33	Robert Mathis	Outside Linebacker
34	Trent Cole	Outside Linebacker
35	Erik Walden	Outside Linebacker
36	Trevor Bates	Outside Linebacker
37	D'Qwell Jackson	Inside Linebacker
38	Nate Irving	Inside Linebacker
39	Sio Moore	Inside Linebacker
40	Antonio Morrison	Inside Linebacker
41	Josh McNary	Inside Linebacker
42	Vontae Davis	Cornerback
43	Patrick Robinson	Cornerback
44	Darius Butler	Cornerback
45	D'Joun Smith	Cornerback
46	Jalil Brown	Cornerback
47	Mike Adams	Safety
48	Clayton Geathers	Safety
49	T.J. Green	Safety
50	Winston Guy	Safety
51	Pat McAfee	Punter
52	Adam Vinatieri	Kicker
53	Matt Overton	Long Snapper