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Ranking the Colts' roster from 1 to 90 The offseason is in full swing so here's a ranking of the Colts' roster from No.
1 to No.
90; what you need to know: >> The 90th player on this roster is in the top 1% of his field; respect what it takes to make even an NFL 90-man roster >> The ranking is based on how good a player is compared to his NFL peers, not based on how important he is to the Colts.
In other words, Daniel Jones may be the most important player to the Colts' success this season but he's not one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the NFL, thus he's lower on this list >> Take the bottom half with a grain of salt as many of the players haven't played much (if at all) 1.Quenton Nelson, G He's an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro.
Nelson's on a hall of fame path and is one of the best guards in the NFL, making him an easy choice for No.
1 on this list.
2.Jonathan Taylor, RB He's a three-time Pro Bowler -- including the past two seasons -- and has led the NFL in rushing touchdowns twice in six years.
Injuries are always a question with running backs (Taylor's missed games in four of his six seasons) but right now he's healthy and there's not much debate about where he belongs on this list.
3.Sauce Gardner, CB Gardner made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons with the Jets but has seen his production and playing time dip the past two years.
The Colts need him to be an All-Pro corner again.
4.Alec Pierce, WR A bit of a projection based on Pierce taking over the No.
1 receiver role but leading the NFL in yards per catch in back-to-back seasons is an underappreciated accomplishment.
There's no reason he can't be a legitimate No.
1 receiver.
5.Tyler Warren, TE He was one of the most productive rookie tight ends in NFL history last year.
His productivity slipped significantly during the seven-game losing streak to end the season (26 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD vs.
50-617-3).
6.Charvarius Ward, CB Ward got better every season until the tragic death of his daughter in 2024.
His three concussions last season raise serious concerns about his future but his talent puts him in the top 5 of this list.
7.DeForest Buckner, DT There are too many players with injury concerns at the top of this list.
Buckner has said his neck surgery will alter how he plays; that drops him from third to sixth on this list.
He's a three-time Pro Bowler, the last time in 2023, but his impact was undeniable last season when healthy.
8.Cam Bynum, FS Bynum is a clear impact starter at free safety and could be even more productive with a more versatile running mate in the defensive backfield this season.
9.Rigoberto Sanchez, P Sanchez had a career-high 44.7-yard net punting average last season with 50% of his kicks landing inside the 20, also a career-high.
He's one of the most valuable punters in the NFL.
10.Bernhard Raimann, OT There should be no complaints about Raimann's development as a third-round pick in 2022.
He had a rough rookie year but has become a solid starter at left tackle, a necessity for any playoff team.
11.Daniel Jones, QB Jones had his best season after signing with Shane Steichen last season, it's a matter of recovering from his Achilles tendon tear and staying healthy now.
12.Laiatu Latu, DE Latu was productive with 3 interceptions and 8.5 sacks last season but he hasn't demonstrated he can be the No.
1 pass rusher the Colts desperately need despite being the first defensive player selected in 2024.
If Buckner isn't at full strength, Indianapolis will be putting a lot of pressure on the defensive backs at the top of this list.
13.Grover Stewart, DT Entering his eighth season as a starting defensive tackle, Stewart remains a productive run stopper and the Colts will need him to continue in that role entering his Age 33 season.
14.C.J.
Allen, LB The second-round pick made a good impression in the offseason workouts and the Colts' need an upgrade at linebacker.
15.Tanor Bortolini, C The Colts let long-time center Ryan Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, go in free agency and Bortolini stepped in without a hitch.
16.Josh Downs, WR Small (5-9) slot receivers have a ceiling but Downs is more than capable of hitting it, totaling 1,500 receiving yards his first two seasons.
He dipped to 566 yards last season but should tick back up as the Colts need to replace Michael Pittman.
17.Matt Goncalves, G After spending most of his career as a tackle, Goncalves stepped in effectively at right guard last season.
The Colts let right tackle Braden Smith leave in free agency and drafted Jalen Farmer.
Goncalves, Jalen Travis and Farmer will fill the two spots on the right side of the line.
18.Arden Key, DE Key is a fine rotational piece at defensive end but would likely be starting if the season began today.
He had 16.5 sacks as a starter in Tennessee the previous three seasons, expect similar production this season.
19.Justin Walley, CB Walley earned playing time in training camp last season until a torn ACL ended his season.
He's expected to replace Kenny Moore in the slot.
20.Jalen Travis, OT He filled in effectively in four starts at right tackle last season.
Travis will have to compete for his spot with Goncalves and rookie Jalen Farmer but the Colts should feel good about the right side of its offensive line.
21.A.J.
Haulcy, SS The third-round pick is expected to be the starting strong safety but playing more of a hybrid role with Bynum to make the defense more difficult to read.
We'll slot Haulcy in here and see if he's up to the task.
22.Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL He emerged in his third season as an effective rotational defensive lineman with 36 tackles and 4 sacks.
If he takes another step forward, he jumps up this list.
23.Blake Grupe, K Kickers are tricky.
Grupe missed eight kicks with the Saints, earning his release.
But signed with the Colts and was accurate including going 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards.
Kickers (and punters) get devalued because there are a lot of them out there but in terms of players on the Colts, we're comfortable with the special teamers here.
24.Mekhi Blackmon, CB Added for a sixth-round pick prior to last season, Blackmon was an excellent reserve corner, appearing in all 17 games with 11 starts and making two interceptions after missing 2024 due to injury.
Colts seemed to like Walley better so Blackmon's deeper on the list.
25.Mo Alie-Cox, TE Blocking tight ends aren't exciting players -- even ones with the size to be a threat in the red zone on occasion -- but they are needed.
Alie-Cox will be entering his ninth season filling that role for the Colts 26.Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB He's seen his playing time increase from 1 start to 7 to 13, while also moving on from Lou Anarumo's defense in Cincinnati to Arizona last season.
He was productive with 5 passes defensed and 117 tackles but it's unlikely he's an upgrade on Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt.
27.Colby Wooden, DT Added in a trade for Zaire Franklin, Wooden had improved each season in Green Bay and gives the Colts needed depth on the defensive line behind the aging Buckner and Stewart.
28.Juanyeh Thomas, S He was the favorite to start at safety before the draft as he seemed to be carving out a starting role for himself in Dallas before a nerve issue ended his 2025 season with the Cowboys.
The Colts took Haulcy, so maybe they weren't that confident in Thomas but he'll get a chance to prove himself.
29.Micheal Clemons, DE Clemons started all 17 games in 2024 with similar production as Adebawore (34 tackles, 4.5 sacks) but returned to a reserve role last season and produced far less (22 tackles, 1 sack).
30.Cameron Taylor-Britt, CB Taylor-Britt has more upside than some of the other off-season acquisitions as he had 7 interceptions in 2023 and '24 before a down 2025 in Cincinnati.
The Colts have depth at cornerback so he'll have to earn his way onto the field.
31.Ashton Dulin, WR An excellent special teams player who can fill in at receiver -- though making him the No.
3 receiver is a stretch -- and was an effective kick returner.
32.Jaylahn Tuimoloau, DE He's a former second-round pick.
He had 15 quarterback pressures in limited time and a 12.2% pressure rate, behind only Latu on the Colts last season.
But Tuimoloau only played 215 snaps.
He almost has to play this season so we'll see if he can play or not.
33.Anthony Richardson, QB How different is this offseason if Richardson doesn't hurt his eye in a freak accident and is available when Jones gets hurt? The Colts (and the NFL) would have a better sense of his value.
A good backup quarterback is important and Richardson has started 15 games in his career, winning 8 of them.
34.Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR He had a very defined role in Tennessee, making 25 to 38 catches for 370 to 497 yards over each of four seasons.
He couldn't get on the field in Miami last season.
Ignore the 9 touchdowns in 2024, he's a deep threat good for 2 catches per game if he's used carefully.
35.Johnathan Edwards, CB The undrafted free agent appeared in 14 games and earned 5 starts, making 26 tackles and breaking up 3 passes.
36.Jaylon Jones, CB Jones has proven himself to be a capable cornerback but struggled to get on the field for Anarumo.
It's possible he doesn't make the roster but we'll slot him here on production.
37.Luke Rhodes, LS I have no idea how to rank a long snapper.
He's a good long snapper, being name first team All-Pro one season.
38.Drew Ogletree, TE He's a lesser version of Alie-Cox.
Ogletree is here to block and surprise the defense by catching a pass every once in a while.
A key contributor to special teams as well.
39.Hunter Wohler, S Too high for a seventh-round pick who was injured his entire rookie season? Perhaps.
But the Colts need help covering the middle of the field and drafted Wohler for that specific role.
40.Austin Ajiake, LB Ajiake earned significant time on special teams and even a half-sack on defense.
He'll have a spot on the roster.
41.Jerry Tillery, DT Another depth signing on the defensive line.
Tillery has been a starter off and on throughout his career but hasn't been overly productive since 2021.
42.Riley Leonard, QB Leonard played better than expected but his 67.7 passer rating and .582 completion percentage weren't exactly good.
The jury is still out on if he's an NFL backup quarterback.
43.Cameron Mitchell, CB Mitchell earned a start after getting picked up from the Browns and broke up 4 passes.
44.Laquon Treadwell, WR A first-round pick as a receiver, Treadwell has carved out a career on special teams.
He hasn't made a catch with the Colts but will get a longer look as the team searches for a No.
3 receiver.
45.Spencer Shrader, K Grupe gets the edge because he's proven he's got a bigger leg and Shrader needs to show his leg has recovered from a horrific injury.
If he's healthy, he's a starting NFL kicker.
46.Bryce Boettcher, LB Boettcher was the second middle linebacker the Colts took in the draft, can he play an off-ball role? If he can, he jumps up this list but he'll need to prove it.
47.Jaylon Carlies, LB Carlies was drafted to be a coverage linebacker but hasn't been healthy enough to earn the spot.
If he can, he moves up this list.
If he can't, he won't be on the roster.
48.Jalen Farmer, G The rookie guard will compete with Goncalves and Travis on the right side of the line with the possibility of stepping into the starting lineup down the line if not immediately.
49.Caden Curry, DE The former Center Grove High School star was very productive at Ohio State but lacks the physical attributes the Colts often look for.
They need pass rush and Curry will get an extend chance to show what he's got.
50.Seth McGowan, RB The Colts' seventh-round pick at running back, there's a real chance for him to earn a spot on the roster this season given he's the second running back on this list.
51.Deion Burks, WR A seventh-round pick with great physical attributes and the potential to contribute as a receiver and returner.
52.Dalton Tucker, G Tucker has made 9 starts in two seasons but seems to be settling in as a decent backup without starting potential.
53.Jimmy Morrissey, C A 7th round pick by the Raiders in 2021, he's appeared in 14 NFL games, including 3 snaps with the Colts last season.
The Colts will need a backup center and don't have a lot of experience on the roster at the position.
54.Derrick Nnadi, DT Nnadi was a six-year starter for the Kansas City Chief, lost his role in 2024 and regained it in 2025.
He's never been overly productive so it's hard to see him earning a roster spot but the Colts may want some experience on the defensive line.
55.Jonathan Owens, S His non-special teams playing time has dropped each of the last three years so don't expect to see Owens much at safety but he could be a key special teams player.
56.Daniel Scott, S The fifth-round safety in 2023 hasn't been able to stay healthy.
He had the physical abilities to contribute but needs to stay healthy and prove it.
57.D.J.
Giddens, RB Giddens had every opportunity to earn playing time behind Jonathan Taylor last season but couldn't do it, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.
He'll have to earn a spot on the roster in training camp.
58.Trey Washington, S The undrafted safety earned 4 appearances last season and will get another look on special teams.
59.Luke Tenuta, OT He's bounced around the NFL since 2022, adding 4 appearances with the Colts last season.
They'll need depth at tackle.
60.Will Mallory, TE He had a productive rookie season with 18 catches for 207 yards but has appeared in only 12 games the last two seasons as a receiving-first tight end.
61.George Gumbs Jr., DE He's raw but with the potential to be what the Colts desperately need: An impact pass rusher.
Don't expect Gumbs to flash this season unless it's on special teams.
62.Coleman Owen, WR A receiver and returner, Owen earned a look last season and should get another shot this season.
63.Blake Freeland, OT A broken leg caused Freeman to miss last season and, perhaps, keep him from getting cut.
He's dropped on the depth chart and will have to earn a spot.
64.Anthony Gould, WR Gould has had two seasons to earn a regular spot but has just 3 catches and irregular time as the kick returner.
He'll have to impress in training camp to get a third season.
65.Durell Nchami, DE Nchami appeared in 3 games last season and we're at the point on the list where that's all we have to go on.
66.Josh Sills , OL The Colts need offensive line depth and Sills has appeared in 21 NFL games.
67.Shawn McKeon, TE Another blocking tight end.
He saw regular action as a reserve for the Cowboys from 2020 to 2023; could earn a practice squad spot as depth.
68.Easton Stick, QB He went 0-4 in his only NFL starts with the Chargers in 2023, could make the Colts this season if they deal Richardson.
69.Austin Brown, S The Colts gave him a hefty $272,000 bonus as an undrafted free agent so they see potential.
70.Ulysses Bentley IV The running back earns this spot by virtue of his one appearance in an NFL game.
71.West Weeks, LB A 2026 undrafted free agent but the Colts need linebackers and he has high-level experience with LSU and Virginia.
72.Tim Smith, DT A former sixth-round pick of the Colts, Smith has yet to appear in an NFL game.
73.Bayron Matos, OT A college basketball player, Matos earned a spot on the Dolphins' practice squad and has signed with the Colts as a 6-7, 334-pound offensive tackle.
74.Nolan Rucci, OT A 2026 undrafted free agent who is big (6-8, 314 pounds) and made 18 starts between Wisconsin and Penn State at tackle.
75.Geno VanDeMark, OL A 2026 undrafted free agent, he made starts at all three interior line spots between Michigan State and Alabama.
76.Mitchell Melton, DE A 2026 undrafted free agent who was honorable mention All-ACC after a productive season at Virginia.
77.Eli Pancol, WR Pendleton, Indiana, native has been on the Jaguars' and Colts' practice squads.
78.Devin Veresuk, LB Colts signed the linebacker out of the pass-happy CFL so he'll get a look with the team needing to shore up its pass defense in the middle of the field.
79.Rob Carter Jr., CB Signed out of the CFL so he does have professional football experience.
80.Ben Nikkel, S He spent time on Washington's practice squad in 2024 and re-joined the Colts on a Reserve/Future contract after getting a look in 2025.
81.Lincoln Pare, RB A 2026 undrafted free agent who was a dual threat running back at Texas State.
82.Sahmir Hagans, WR A 2026 undrafted free agent who will get a look as a kick returner.
83.Josh Kreutz, C The 2026 undrafted free agent made 37 starts at Illinois and earned honorable mention Big Ten recognition in 2023 and '24.
Undersized at 6-2, 290 pounds.
84.Raylen Sharpe, WR A 2026 undrafted free agent who was productive as an undersized receiver (5-9, 173 pounds) as he bounced from Arkansas, Fresno State, Missouri State and Houston.
Ran track at Houston.
85.Cameron Ball, DT A 2026 undrafted free agent who wasn't overly productive at defensive tackle.
86.Tahj Chambers, LB A 2026 undrafted free agent who spent most of his college career at Missouri State before transferring to Mississippi last season.
87.E.J.
Horton Jr., WR A 2026 undrafted free agent who had 53 catches, 735 yards and 4 touchdowns in college 88.Jai'Onte' McMillan, CB A 2026 undrafted free agent, he made four starts in two seasons at Minnesota after playing 33 games at Texas Christian.
89.Anderson Castle, RB A 2026 undrafted free agent, he made 3 college starts between Duke and Appalachian State.
90.Carson Towt, TE A Notre Dame basketball player, the Colts are looking at him at tight end.
Joel A.
Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season.
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