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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Kevin Hickey

Colts’ updated 2023 roster after start of free agency

The Indianapolis Colts have been well into free agency and the 2023 NFL draft is right around the corner, arriving just under three weeks from this publishing.

There have been several changes made to the roster since the start of the new league year in March. There have been departures and additions alike, coming in all three phases of the game.

Even though the attention has shifted to the draft, we’re still tracking all of the free agent moves regarding the Colts.

While more changes will come to the roster over the next month, it’s time to take an updated look at the roster, position by position:

Quarterback

Sam Hodde/Getty Images

It sure seems like a rookie quarterback will be coming in some capacity. Minshew could be the bridge or backup to that rookie depending on who’s brought in.

Running Back

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
  • Jonathan Taylor
  • Zack Moss
  • Deon Jackson
  • Darrynton Evans
  • Jake Funk
  • Aaron Shampklin

This room is pretty set with Taylor taking his starting role. Moss seems to be the favorite for the backup role, but it’s likely to be a big competition in training camp.

Wide Receiver

Jamie Squire/Getty Images
  • Michael Pittman Jr.
  • Alec Pierce
  • Isaiah McKenzie
  • Ashton Dulin
  • Mike Strachan
  • Vyncint Smith
  • Kristian Wilkerson
  • Malik Turner

The departure of Parris Campbell hurts, but the Colts added McKenzie to the mix in hopes he can help aid the slot position. Dulin and Strachan provide nice depth with some room to add a rookie as well.

Tight End

Andy Lyons/Getty Images
  • Mo Alie-Cox
  • Jelani Woods
  • Kylen Granson
  • Andrew Ogletree
  • Nikola Kalinic
  • Pharaoh Brown
  • Jalen Wydermyer

Three of the top spots are already spoken for so there will be a big competition for the fourth and final spot in the room.

Offensive Line

AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

Offensive Tackle

  • Bernhard Raimann
  • Braden Smith
  • Jordan Murray
  • Carter O’Donnell

Guard

  • Quenton Nelson
  • Will Fries
  • Danny Pinter
  • Arlington Hambright

Center

  • Ryan Kelly
  • Wesley French
  • Dakoda Shepley

Depth is the necessary addition here. The Colts are still without a starting right guard and there needs to be depth added to the offensive tackle room.

Defensive End

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith
  • Kwity Paye
  • Dayo Odeyingbo
  • Samson Ebukam
  • Tyquan Lewis
  • Kareem Khalid
  • Rashod Berry
  • Kameron Cline

With the departure of Yannick Ngakoue, the Colts brought in Ebukam to fill the LEO role. Meanwhile, the main rotation will consist of Paye, Odeyingbo, Ebukam and Lewis.

Defensive Tackle

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
  • DeForest Buckner
  • Grover Stewart
  • Taven Bryan
  • Eric Johnson
  • Chris Williams
  • McTelvin Agim

Bryan is the newest addition to the three-technique while some of the edge rushers in Odeyingbo and Lewis can also kick inside.

Linebacker

AP Photo/Darryl Webb
  • Shaquille Leonard
  • Zaire Franklin
  • E.J. Speed
  • Grant Stuard
  • Jojo Domann
  • Segun Olubi
  • Cameron McGrone
  • Forrest Rhyne

Speed will see a bigger role with the departure Bobby Okereke, but Leonard and Franklin likely will see the majority of snaps. The rest of the room will compete for depth and special teams work.

Cornerback

Armond Feffer/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
  • Kenny Moore II
  • Isaiah Rodgers Sr.
  • Dallis Flowers
  • Tony Brown
  • Kevin Toliver II
  • Darrell Baker Jr.
  • David Vereen

The trade of Stephon Gilmore left a massive gap in the cornerback room, one they likely will need to fill in both free agency and the NFL draft.

Safety

Jamie Squire/Getty Images
  • Rodney Thomas II
  • Julian Blackmon
  • Nick Cross
  • Trevor Denbow
  • Marcel Dabo
  • Henry Black

Thomas and Blackmon are set as the starters unless the latter plays more of the nickel role as he did late in 2022. Cross is the big question mark here. He could be a shining new starter or continue to remain a special teams role player.

Special Teams

Harry How/Getty Images
  • Matt Gay
  • Rigoberto Sanchez
  • Luke Rhodes
  • Lucas Havrisik

The Colts made Gay one of the highest-paid kickers in the game while Sanchez should be returning to the fold after missing the entire 2022 season due to a torn Achilles.

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