Three largest remaining depth issues going through 2025 Colts

We’re now within the final lingering tiers of free company, and the NFL Draft has already concluded, but the 2025 Indianapolis Colts nonetheless have three remaining depth issues.

What are they?

Offensive Line Depth

Having misplaced each veteran Professional Bowl middle Ryan Kelly and beginning proper guard Will Fries to the Minnesota Vikings in free company, the difficulty isn’t that the Colts don’t have potential succesful starters to internally substitute them with each Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves respectively—each of whom had been mid-round picks final 12 months and held their very own as rookies.

The problem is that by elevating Goncalves, who was the workforce’s prime swing-tackle as a rookie, into the beginning proper guard spot implies that the Colts not have their finest backup collectively—and a extremely versatile one at that getting into his second season.

The Colts did draft 4th spherical decide Jalen Travis, however at 6’8,” 339 kilos, and a number of lengthy limbs, there could possibly be a little bit of an preliminary studying curve for the large bodied, seemingly developmental offensive sort out.

Like we noticed with 2023 4th spherical decide Blake Freeland, now an Indy backup offensive sort out (who was handed over for Goncalves final 12 months), there’s no assure {that a} younger offensive sort out goes to have the ability to are available and instantly contribute at a constant stage. Goncalves made the leap pretty effectively in his professional debut, however he was additionally thought to be fairly polished as an NFL offensive line prospect.

Specifically, veteran beginning proper sort out Braden Smith has not routinely been out there, so the Colts could possibly be taking part in with fireplace for a bit with none veteran backup additions, and Goncalves not on standby to interchange him from the bench.

Indianpolis Colts v New England Patriots

Linebacker Depth

The Colts noticed former beginning linebacker E.J. Pace depart to the Houston Texans in free company.

His ‘The Trenches Present’ podcast co-host Zaire Franklin was named an NFL 2nd-Group All-Professional final 12 months, having led the league in mixed complete tackles.

That being mentioned, he admittedly endured a really sluggish begin to final season and now will likely be coming off an offseason ankle process.

Final 12 months’s rookie fifth spherical decide, Jaylon Carlies, excelled as a subpackage linebacker in protection throughout restricted motion, and seems to be not less than serviceable as a possible starter, however he’s additionally coming off damage, having underwent an offseason shoulder surgical procedure.

Underneath new veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts are anticipated to part out the third linebacker in favor of an additional defensive again for added protection functions.

Nevertheless, when trying on the Colts linebacker cabinet behind Franklin and Carlies—each of whom are coming off an offseason process/surgical procedure, and it’s fairly barren.

The Colts can’t actually afford to have a setback with both projected beginning linebacker with the highest backup title being Segun Olubi behind them—and in any other case, a number of unknown.

Backup Security

If there’s a place that I’m shocked the Colts didn’t tackle within the current NFL Draft, and it’s at backup security—the place it’s usually a neater option to discover a succesful backup in ‘Day 3,’ particularly in comparison with a few of the league’s different more durable positions to scout and supply.

Each key free agent signing Camryn Bynum and holdover Nick Cross venture to be a strong beginning duo on the backend of the Colts and Anarumo’s revamped defensive secondary.

Nevertheless, there’s little trusted and confirmed depth behind them.

Rodney Thomas II hasn’t actually been productive since his rookie season in 2022, which was over two years in the past, whereas former 2023 fifth spherical decide Daniel Scott has but to seem in an NFL sport for Indianapolis due to consecutive season-ending accidents.

Past them, it’s unknown names like Ladarius Tennison and Trey Washington.

For each particular groups depth and as damage insurance coverage, the Colts might face up to to improve.