After an offseason of change, what is the shape of the Indianapolis Colts’ depth chart heading into the NFL offseason programs? Which players have a starting role secured, and who is competing for more time on the field in 2021?
Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
What is the Colts’ depth chart entering the 2021 NFL season?
Offense
Quarterback: Carson Wentz, Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger, Jalen Morton
Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Darius Anderson, Deon Jackson, Benny LeMay
Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman, Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal, Ashton Dulin, Dezmon Patmon, J.J. Nelson, Tyler Vaughns, Mike Strachan, De’Michael Harris, Gary Jennings, Quartney Davis, Tarik Black
Tight End: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Noah Togiai, Jordan Thomas, Farrod Green, Andrew Vollert
Offensive Tackle: Eric Fisher, Braden Smith, Sam Tevi, Jake Benzinger, Julie’n Davenport, Carter O’Donnell, Will Holden, Will Fries
Offensive Guard: Quenton Nelson, Mark Glowinski, Danny Pinter, Chris Reed, Jake Eldrenkamp
Center: Ryan Kelly, Joey Hunt
Defense
Interior Defensive Line: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Antwaun Woods, Taylor Stallworth, Kameron Cline, Andrew Brown, Chris Williams, Rob Windsor
EDGE: Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ben Banogu, Dayo Odeyingbo, Kemoko Turay, Isaac Rochell
Linebacker: Darius Leonard, Bobby Okereke, Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Jordan Glasgow, Matthew Adams, Skai Moore, Isaiah Kaufusi, Malik Jefferson
Cornerback: Xavier Rhodes, Kenny Moore, Rock Ya-Sin, T.J. Carrie, Nick Nelson, Isaiah Rodgers, Andre Chachere, Marvell Tell, Anthony Chesley
Safety: Julian Blackmon, Khari Willis, George Odum, Rolan Milligan, Sean Davis, Ibraheim Campbell
Special Teams
Kicker: Rodrigo Blankenship, Eddy Pineiro
Punter: Rigoberto Sanchez
Long Snapper: Luke Rhodes
Colts Depth Chart Analysis | Offense
The Colts offense returns a depth chart that has a lot of similarities to last season. However, they have key changes at two key positions following the retirement of Philip Rivers and Anthony Castonzo. Let’s take a look at which players are set to start and who is competing for a starting role in the coming weeks.
Quarterbacks
Colts management felt if they were going to take the next step, they needed a new QB leading their depth chart. Their gaze focused on a familiar face as the team completed a trade for Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz. With Philip Rivers headed off into retirement and their next QB on the depth chart having no experience, it was a logical move. Wentz succeeded under Frank Reich and needed a fresh start to his career. If you were to make a list of make-it-or-break-it players for 2021, Wentz would be on top.
The former Washington Huskies starting QB, Jacob Eason has turned into a QB in limbo, and by Week 1, it will have been 21 months since he last appeared in a game. The 6’6″, 231-pounder needed time to develop and has gotten just that during his time with the Colts. We will see how he looks in the preseason, but if Wentz does miss any time, the Colts have serious questions on their depth chart at QB.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s best running backs once given the green light. Totaling 1,169 rushing yards, 299 receiving, and 12 touchdowns, Taylor took over the backfield. He ended the season on a high note by rushing for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns.
A bit of a surprise return to the Colts’ depth chart is Marlon Mack. Ballard and Reich had even made it seem he would be gone in the lead up to free agency, but those plans changed. Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal, Mack is expected to be ready by the time camp rolls around after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon Week 1 that forced him to miss the rest of the season. While Taylor has jumped him in the depth chart, look for the Colts to use both players often.
Nyheim Hines led the Colts RBs with 63 receptions for 482 yards and 4 touchdowns in the passing game. He saw an increased role last season due to Mack’s injury and should remain in the rotation. Hines’ expected role as the passing-down back likely puts him second on the depth chart in Week 1 touches. However, if Taylor were to go down injured, you would likely see Mack take over the lead back role, with Hines remaining in the passing-game role.
Wide Receivers
Back with the Colts on a one-year, $10 million contract, T.Y. Hilton enters his 10th season wearing the horseshoe. Hilton ended the season strong over the final six weeks of the 2020 regular season, catching 27 passes for 435 yards and 5 touchdowns. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons (2013-2016) and another in 2018, Hilton looks for his first from a QB not named Andrew Luck.
The Colts were excited to select Michael Pittman Jr. in 2020 out of USC in the second round, though he did not have the impact some expected. He topped 100 scrimmage yards only once in the regular season while reaching 50+ scrimmage yards in just three of 13 games. Pittman ended on a high note in their Wild Card game, catching 5 of 10 targets for a team-high 90 yards.
Following two injury-shortened seasons, Parris Campbell needs to put together a healthy season because, as of now, the jury is out. Campbell flashed in Week 1, catching 6 passes for 71 yards, but he suffered what proved to be a season-ending knee injury after playing just two snaps the next game. Campbell has played in nine games, making seven starts over his two-year career.
Even if Campbell is on the field, expect Zach Pascal to continue to be a mainstay in the offense. Pascal recorded 44 catches for 629 yards with 5 touchdowns, giving him back-to-back seasons with 600 or more yards with 5 TDs. Tyler Vaughns, Mike Strachan, and Tarik Black all have an opportunity to make a case for the roster in training camp. There is no clear fifth receiver on the roster, and all three (along with many of the veterans) could earn the role.
Tight Ends
The Colts shared their targets around at tight end last season. Trey Burton, Jack Doyle, and Mo Alie-Cox split 119 targets between them. Jack Doyle finished with 23 catches (33 targets) for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games. His receptions, yards, and TDs were his fewest since 2015, excluding an injury-shortened 2018.
With Trey Burton heading to free agency, Mo Alie-Cox received a second-round tender from the Colts to keep their depth chart intact. Alie-Cox caught 31 passes for 394 yards and 2 touchdowns in 15 games last season. Alie-Cox and Doyle should compete for that starting role, but we likely see both getting significant playing time.
Fourth-round selection Kylen Granson has the potential to step into the role of Burton. He is a talented pass catcher who needs to work on his blocking. However, in the short term, he can contribute in three-TE sets and a rotational role.
Offensive Tackle
Anthony Castonzo’s retirement put the Colts into a precarious place regarding their depth chart at OT.
Initially considered a guard, Braden Smith started at the right tackle position during his rookie season and never looked back. Quietly becoming one of the better RTs in the NFL, Smith has made 43 starts in his 45 appearances over three seasons.
Sam Tevi is in consideration for the starting left tackle role for 2021. The former Charger started 29 games combined over the past two seasons, though most have come at right tackle.
The Colts added Eric Fisher in free agency. Fisher is recovering from a torn Achilles, which should stop him from being available to begin the season. However, the 2013 No. 1 overall selection is still a talented left tackle and could be a valuable starter for the Colts in their playoff push towards the end of the season. The lack of depth behind Fisher and Smith is concerning if the Colts have injuries at the tackle position.
Offensive Guard
The best guard in the NFL, Quenton Nelson has been a first-team All-Pro in each of his first three seasons in the NFL. Despite his success, there is speculation the Colts are considering sliding him out to OT following Castonzo’s retirement. If Indianapolis does not add a tackle early in the draft, look for this to become a reality. It is a similar story to what happened to former No. 4 overall pick Chris Hinton.
Mark Glowinski signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Colts during free agency to remain on their depth chart. He took over the starting job in mid-October and started the rest of the season.
Much like at tackle, the lack of depth is a concern. Chris Reed did start 14 games for the Carolina Panthers last year. However, in five years, he has started a total of just 23 games. Danny Pinter has just one career start, and Will Holden has one start in the past two seasons.
Center
Ryan Kelly has been one of the best centers in the NFL over the last few seasons. During the 2020 season, Kelly allowed just 12 pressures on 642 snaps, the eight-fewest in the NFL.
Returning to the team as an interior depth piece, Joey Hunt appeared in one game with the Colts last season.