The main question: Outside of quarterback, what other competitions should Colts fans keep an eye on during training camp?
The positions involved: In some way, shape or form – every single position group on the Colts will have some level of competition.
Background: After the Colts finished the 2024 season with an 8-9 record – the team's fourth consecutive year missing the playoffs – general manager Chris Ballard took the blame for creating "a complacency" within his team's roster.
"I didn't create enough competition on the roster for it to want to achieve in the way it needed to achieve," Ballard said in January. "There's got to be some stress. There has to be. There has to be real stress within that locker room, an uncomfortability that if I don't play well enough, my (expletive) will not be on the field playing."
To that end, the Colts turned over their roster this offseason through decisions in free agency (only four players were re-signed as free agents: WR Ashton Dulin, C Wesley French, C Danny Pinter and TE Mo Alie-Cox) and the NFL Draft. Those decisions, plus the natural progression of some younger players on the roster, will create across-the-board competition – and should discourage complacency within the Colts' locker room.
The thing to remember here is, in a lot of cases, whoever "loses" a competition still will play and have an important role on the Colts – and, too, competitions do not end when training camp does.
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What to watch in training camp: We'll go position group by position group here, again after quarterback, which we covered on Monday.
Running back: Behind Pro Bowler Jonathan Taylor, look for the returning Tyler Goodson to compete with free agent Khalil Herbert and fifth-round pick D.J. Giddens for roles within the Colts' offense. Taylor carried 303 times in 2024 despite missing three games due to injury; his backups last year combined to average 3.5 yards per attempt on 88 carries.
Wide receiver: While Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs are established atop the depth chart, there will be an opportunity for 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell to carve out snaps. "He has some definitely really strong moments, but we need more consistent moments from him," Ballard said. "But they're going to have to compete to get on the field. I mean, I don't see us playing a lot of four wide out stuff, so you're going to have to really earn your way on it with that group."
Tight end: The Colts drafted Tyler Warren 14th overall back in April to play a significant role on offense, but like any rookie, he'll have to earn those snaps by showing his skills as a pass catcher and run blocker during training camp. Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory all return for the Colts, too, as does 2022 third-round pick Jelani Woods, who hasn't played the last two seasons due to injuries.
Offensive line: You'll see competitions at center and right guard to replace veterans Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, both of whom departed for the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. At center, veteran Danny Pinter will compete with 2024 fourth-round pick Tanor Bortolini (both started in place of Kelly last year); at right guard, 2024 third-round pick Matt Goncalves will get a shot to start, but will have to show he can make the transition to guard after playing all but one snap as a rookie at tackle.
Defensive line: There's no question who will start on the interior (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart), but the Colts have invested heavily at defensive end through high draft picks and with free agent spending. 2021 first-round pick Kwity Paye is back on his fifth-year option, while 2023 free agency signing (and 2023 team sack leader) Samson Ebukam will return from a season-ending Achilles injury sustained early in training camp last year. The Colts believe 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu has what it takes to make a Year-1-to-Year-2 leap, and dependable and versatile veteran Tyquan Lewis will push for playing time as well. And 2025 second-round pick J.T. Tuimoloau is coming off a highly productive senior season at Ohio State and will compete for snaps on Sunday, too. All five of those guys will play this season, but how defensive line coach Charlie Partridge's depth chart shakes out is an open question for training camp.
Linebacker: The Colts didn't make a major addition at the WILL linebacker spot with EJ Speed leaving in free agency, which points to the team's confidence in 2024 fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies, who will get a shot to start there. But there are other players on the roster – including Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone and Joe Bachie – who could push Carlies for playing time.
Defensive back: Kenny Moore II and Charvarius Ward are set to start, but who the Colts' third – and fourth – cornerback will be could very well be open. Jaylon Jones is the incumbent here, and his competitive streak and playmaking ability have entrenched him as a starter, but 2025 third-round pick Justin Walley (who had an impressive spring in OTAs) and 2023 second-round pick JuJu Brents will push for playing time as well.
Special teams: The Colts brought back Spencer Shrader in March, but the 2024 undrafted free agent has only attempted five field goals and nine PATs in his NFL career. He'll compete with 2025 undrafted rookie Maddux Trujillo, who holds the record for the longest field goal ever made at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field (a 64-yarder he made last year while at Temple).
