Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.
Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.
I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is cornerback Dallis Flowers. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.
2023 Season Review
A 2022 undrafted rookie who signed with the Colts, Flowers took on a much larger role during his second NFL season, starting at cornerback. Unfortunately, Flowers season was ended in Week 4 due to an Achilles injury.
Prior to that, Flowers had allowed 11 completions on 18 targets, holding pass-catchers to 10.5 yards per reception. He would also force three pass breakups and handled kick return duties as well.
“I thought he was really impressive up until that injury,” said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley after the draft. “He did some good things. He’s got that maturity. Very driven. Knows what he wants and is pretty focused on that; you see him in these walkthroughs.”
2024 Season Preview
Flowers is healthy and was a full participant during OTAs and minicamp. The cornerback unit last season would struggle, fighting inconsistency as they relied heavily on inexperienced players. Flowers return will be an important part of providing stability to that group.
“I think getting Dallis Flowers back will help,” said Ballard. “I think, looking back on it, when I made that statement, the injury part of it played into it, and then we gave him (Gus Bradley) a bunch of rookies. Well now, they’re no longer rookies anymore. Jaylon Jones is no longer a rookie. JuJu (Brents) is no longer a rookie. Dallis Flowers we’re hoping to get back healthy.”
Gus Bradley would say earlier this offseason that, outside of Kenny More, the starting cornerback spots were “wide open.” However, JuJu Brents appears to be locked into one of those starting spots.
Opposite of him are Flowers and Jaylon Jones competing for that playing time. In the early going of offseason programs, it was Jones getting those starting reps over Flowers, but any final decisions won’t be made until training camp takes place, the pads come on, and the intensity is kicked up a few notches.
“I think all those guys, obviously, we drafted two young guys, but I think with Jaylon Jones, Dallis, and JuJu, they’re long, rangy guys that are physical when they get up and press,” said Shane Steichen during minicamp.
“They got good vision. I love those guys. It’s a good room. A good competition there. It’s going to be a good competition, obviously, in minicamp and OTAs, but going into training camp is going to be big for all those guys.”
With the addition of Anthony Gould in the draft, who can provide some added playmaking to the return team, Flowers may not be asked to fill that role this season, but brings valuable depth to the return units if needed.
