Evaluating Colts' defensive depth chart before OTAs begin
· Yahoo Sports
With Organized team activities (OTAs) almost here for the Indianapolis Colts, let's take a look at the current state of the team's defensive depth chart.
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For a breakdown of each of the Colts' position groups on offense, you can find that here.
Offseason workouts have already been underway for the Colts for roughly the last month, but OTAs begin on May 26th. In this third phase of offseason programs, no contact can take place, but teams can do competitive team periods.
As mentioned in our breakdown of the offensive depth chart, from a roster-building standpoint, it's been a fairly active offseason for GM Chris Ballard. A number of key contributors from recent teams are now playing elsewhere, including Zaire Franklin, Michael Pittman, and Kenny Moore.
Ballard also made 10 outside additions during the free agency period, and then added 20 rookies to the roster between the NFL draft and undrafted free agency.
All of this roster turnover will create some positional competitions that will take place over the summer.
Heading into the first OTA practice, here is the defensive depth chart and where things stand at each position group.
Colts' defensive end depth chart
- Laiatu Latu
- Jaylahn Tuimoloau
- Arden Key
- Micheal Clemons
- George Gumbs Jr.
- Caden Curry
- Durell Nchami
- Mitchell Melton, Virginia
Did the Colts add enough pass rush juice to pair with Laiatu Latu this offseason? That remains to be seen, but Chris Ballard did add quite a bit of competition, which should help elevate competition and raise the floor of this unit. Arden Key and Jaylahn Tuimoloau may be the top contenders for that starting spot opposite of Latu.
Colts' defensive tackle depth chart
- DeForest Buckner
- Grover Stewart
- Colby Wooden
- Adetomiwa Adebawore
- Jerry Tillery
- Derrick Nnadi
- Tim Smith
- Cameron Ball
The depth of this unit was reshaped this offseason. Wooden adds versatility to the defensive front, while Tiller has been more of a pass rush presence in his career, and Nnadi a run-stuffer. Will the Colts go heavy and keep six defensive tackles? If not, one of Tillery or Nnadi could be left off the final roster.
Colts linebacker depth chart
- Akeem Davis-Gaither
- CJ Allen
- Bryce Boettcher
- Jaylon Carlies
- Austin Ajiake
- Devin Versuk
- West Weeks
- Tahj Chambers
This unit looks a lot better following the NFL draft. Allen will presumably take over as the MIKE linebacker, while Davis-Gaither and Boettcher should compete for the WILL role. The Colts seem quite bullish about Weeks and Chambers as UDFAs, both of whom could push Carlies and Ajiake for a roster spot. Special teams will be important in determining who earns those spots on the back end of the depth chart.
Colts cornerback depth chart
- Sauce Gardner
- Charvarius Ward
- Justin Walley
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Cameron Mitchell
- Jaylon Jones
- Johnathan Edwards
- Robert Carter Jr.
- Wyett Ekeler
Justin Walley will take over at the nickel with Moore no longer on the team. Building out the depth of this unit was important after the Colts navigated numerous injuries at cornerback in 2025. Taylor-Britt, Blackmon, Mitchell, Jones, and Edwards will all be competing for the final two to three available roster spots.
Colts safety depth chart
- Cam Bynum
- AJ Haulcy
- Jonathan Owens
- Juanyeh Thomas
- Hunter Wohler
- Daniel Scott
- Reuben Lowery III
- Trey Washington
- Ben Nikkel
- Austin Brown
Haulcy adds a versatile and ball-hawking presence to the Colts' secondary. He will compete with Wohler, Owens, and Thomas for the starting role next to Cam Bynum. This position group was heavily reshaped this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Breaking down current state of Colts defensive depth chart before OTAs