Colts Release 1st Official Depth Chart
 

Courtesy of Colts.com

OFFENSE:

— WR: Ryan Grant, Deon Cain, James Wright, Zach Pascal, Steve Ishmael, Seantavius Jones

— LT: Anthony Castonzo, Le’Raven Clark, Tyreek Burwell

— LG: Quenton Nelson, Jeremy Vujnovich, Nick Callender

— C: Ryan Kelly, Deyshawn Bond, Joe Haeg

— RG: Matt Slauson, Braden Smith, Mark Glowinski

— RT: Austin Howard, Denzelle Good, Joe Haeg, J’Marcus Webb

— TE: Jack Doyle, Ross Travis, Mo Alie-Cox

— WR: T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, K.J. Brent, Reece Fountain, Kasen Williams, Dres Anderson, Krishawn Hogan

— QB: Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Walker, Brad Kaaya

— TE: Eric Ebron, Eric Swoope, Darrell Daniels

— RB: Marlon Mack, Robert Turbin, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Christine Michael, Josh Ferguson

DEFENSE:

— DE: Kemoko Turay, Tarell Basham, Chris McCain

— NT: Al Woods, Grover Stewart, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Tomasi Laulile

— UT: Denico Autry, Tyquan Lewis, Hassan Ridgeway, Caraun Reid

— DE: Jabaal Sheard, John Simon, Margus Hunt, Anthony Johnson

— WLB: Darius Leonard, Tyrell Adams, Jeremiah George, William Ossai

— MLB: Anthony Walker, Skai Moore, Zaire Franklin

— SAM: Najee Goode, Antonio Morrison, Matthew Adams

— CB: Kenny Moore II, Nate Hairston, Chris Milton, D.J. White, Henre Toliver

— FS: Malik Hooker, T.J. Green, Chris Cooper, Shamarko Thomas

— SS: Clayton Geathers, Matthias Farley, Ronald Martin, George Odum

— CB: Pierre Desir, Quincy Wilson, Robert Jackson, Lashard Durr

SPECIALISTS:

— P: Rigoberto Sanchez

— K: Adam Vinatieri, Michael Badgley

— LS: Luke Rhodes

— KR: Nyheim Hines, Marlon Mack, Chester Rogers

— PR: Nyheim Hines, T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers

Yes, all usual disclaimers about not reading too much into it. Yep, I got it. Still, it’s the only thing we have as a good discussion point right now, and while you take it with a barrel of salt certainly there’s some truth strewn in.

Scattered thoughts:

-Ryan Grant being WR2 is somewhat notable. Cain is getting all the press out of camp but he’s still a rookie. Rogers is the returning guy but given that he’s never played with Luck nor in this new system he probably doesn’t have that much of a built-in advantage (throwing sessions at Stanford can only count for so much). Beyond that though, yeesh. Lots of guys we’ve never heard of.

-Marlon Mack already being RB1 is interesting. Yes, I know, Turbin suspension, but he’s RB2. Hines/Wilkins feel like they’re essentially interchangeable and I’m glad that it appears Michael isn’t getting any preferential vet treatment. Ferguson being last likely means he’s done, barring some insane preseason.

-Joe Haeg being RT3 seems a bit harsh. Not that he should start by any means, but I’d probably put him ahead of at least Le’Raven Clark.

-Kemoko Turay and Darius Leonard being starters is notable. Youth movement and no vet preferential treatment I get it (and like it, our incumbents suck) but it’s not like these guys were billed as plug and play starters. Still, it’s not like they’re blocking anyone, so I have no objections, just a bit surprised is all.

-Leonard/Walker/Goode as our starting LB’s...well, now you see why I was REALLY hoping we’d draft Roquan Smith.

-On the other hand, at least Antonio Morrison isn’t starting. That’s good news.

-I’m wondering if Quincy Wilson has managed to make his way into this coaching staff’s doghouse as well. He might be a bit of a diva, but he is talented and I hope this staff at least let’s him play and develop.

-Hooker/Geathers are rightfully the starters. Let’s get them healthy and let them stay as such. TJ Green is still way too high up the depth chart. I vow to keep an open mind with him this year with a new coaching staff, but much like Antonio Morrison and Josh Ferguson, I think it’d probably be best if he’s shown the door after this preseason, barring some insane preseason, of course.

-Hines being listed as both the KR/PR is interesting. I think they’re really intrigued by using him as a jack of all trades. I hope this coaching staff is creative in using him out of the slot and across formations. Mack/Hilton/Rogers are our only other return men? Welp, gone are the days of Grigson/Pagano wasting a roster spot on a Josh Cribbs or Quan Bray that does literally nothing well, now time to let someone on the roster handle it.

Rogers has played with Luck

I like Grant, but I’m still scared thinking about the Colts’ signing history every year since 2012, all of those guys was shit. I hope Grant can be the exception, he is youth (27) with some experience but Heyward Bey and company was promises too (26), Nicks (26) and Aiken (27) and we know what happened, plus Andre Johnson case. I’m not pessimist but that situation makes me feel like that. hopefully Rogers can jump to the next level and the rookies put some press for the spot.

I think Grant they just have as a placeholder due to experience. I doubt he stays there.

The LB'ing group looks uninspiring outside of Leonard.

I don't think it matters who they have listed as the starter at RB. Mack, Hines, and Wilkins will all get used.

Not sure why Quincy is listed as a backup.

According to Indy Star, its unofficial

Grant is the clear #2. Ballard said that he and TY have definitely separated themselves from the other WRs

Saw that. I can’t helo but to wonder if that’s more of a product of Chester Rogers being more of a disappointment rather than Ryan Grant really being that great.

Ryan Grant, by all accounts, lacks any real explosive physical traits.

He's consistent. Like Reggie was.