No surprises, the Colts won most of their games, though pre-season results hardly have any effect on the regular season. Most of the competition was between rookies and average vets for a small handful of starting spots. The coaches were very focused on helping depth players get some game experience.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
OTA / PRE-SEASON ANSWERS
Andrew Luck, MVP : What else is there to say about Andrew Luck? After two consecutive MVP awards, and now a Superbowl ring, he has entered the conversation as the best QB in the NFL. With the running game a little bit of an issue, and the offense moving to more formations out of the shotgun, Luck could make an assault on some NFL passing records this season. After throwing for 4735 yards and 44TD in a balanced offense that often salted opponents away in the 2nd half with a crushing running game, it's frightening to think of what could happen if they throw the ball more.
Offensive Line Dominance : The rich get richer, and the great get greater. The Colts line was amazing last year, and it could be even better this year. Rookie RT Wayne Vega came into camp and just crushed everyone in his path, he was so good the Colts moved their line around to start him at RT. Brandon Fusco moved inside to RG and pushed Pro-Bowler Donald Thomas into a backup role. The Colts offense figures to be the best in football, and this unit is one reason why.
Starting HB : Coming into the NFL Draft the team was set to start Justin Forsett, but the preseason changed their minds. Rookie HB Shayn Ramsey impressed coaches with his pass blocking and ability to hold on to the ball. He's a bigger back than Forsett, but he isn't all that fast and doesn't provide the best receiving option. Despite all of that, Hamilton and the Colts tabbed him to be their starter.
FALL QUESTIONS
Defensive Line (Again) : Donavon Browning was really good in his rookie year, and he figures to improve going forward, but this group is really thin. Snagging Terrance Knighton on a 1-year deal was a good move, but he can't play every down. Arthur Jones and Ricky Jean-Francois are backing up the ends and DT, which is not an ideal situation. Rookie Brieon Vaughn won the starting job at RE, but it wasn't that hard to win over the other options. This line is going to be very reliant on the linebackers, otherwise it's going to be hard to repeat their 2015 performance.
Tight End : After having what might have been the most dynamic TE situation in the NFL, the Colts suddenly find themselves starting two guys who are average at best. In fact, the TE situation has influenced Hamilton to make a bit of a shift in their offensive philosophy. Based on the preseason, the Colts are backing away from two-TE situations and starting to run more plays out of the shotgun. Jacob Tamme and Brandon Pettigrew, both signed on 1-year deals, are blocking TE types who might be possession receivers at best. It will be interesting to see how Luck and the offense adjust after a huge season from Dwayne Allen.
Secondary Depth : Team management tried hard to upgrade the secondary in the draft, but with LaRon Landry back in the starting lineup it still has some issues. Three of the four starters look to be solid, with Kian Sampson looking like a great draft pick, but nickel/dime/quarters defense will be a problem. There are a lot of rookies and below-average guys backing up the starters, an injury or two could kill the Colts' ability to defend the pass.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART
| Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart - 2016 | ||||
| Regular Offense | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| WR | T.Y. Hilton | D. Rogers | ||
| TE | J. Tamme | B. Pettigrew | ||
| LT | A. Castonzo | J. Mewhort | ||
| LG | J. Mewhort | D. Thomas | ||
| C | K. Holmes | H. Thornton | ||
| RG | B. Fusco | K. Finley (R) | ||
| RT | W. Vega (R) | D. Thomas | ||
| WR | C. Shorts III | D. Moncrief | ||
| QB | A. Luck | J. Palmer | ||
| FB | S. Havili | |||
| HB | S. Ramsey (R) | J. Forsett | M. Lattimore | |
| Base 3-4 Defense | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| LDE | D. Browning | R. Jean-Francois | ||
| NT | T. Knighton | R. Jean-Francois | ||
| RDE | B. Vaughn (R) | R. Jean-Francois | ||
| LOLB | B. Werner | E. Walden | ||
| LILB | A. Dent | A. Jackson | ||
| RILB | D. Jackson | K. Sheppard | ||
| ROLB | V. Burfict | E. Walden | ||
| CB | V. Davis | A. Mims (R) | ||
| SS | L. Landry | E. Agurs (R) | ||
| FS | B. Daniels | E. Agurs (R) | ||
| CB | K. Sampson (R) | A. Kilgore | ||
| Special Teams | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| K | T. Reyes (R) | |||
| P | P. McAfee | |||
| H | J. Palmer | |||
| PR | D. Moncrief | |||
| KR | D. Moncrief | |||
| LS | D. Thomas | |||
OTA / PRE-SEASON ANSWERS
Andrew Luck, MVP : What else is there to say about Andrew Luck? After two consecutive MVP awards, and now a Superbowl ring, he has entered the conversation as the best QB in the NFL. With the running game a little bit of an issue, and the offense moving to more formations out of the shotgun, Luck could make an assault on some NFL passing records this season. After throwing for 4735 yards and 44TD in a balanced offense that often salted opponents away in the 2nd half with a crushing running game, it's frightening to think of what could happen if they throw the ball more.
Offensive Line Dominance : The rich get richer, and the great get greater. The Colts line was amazing last year, and it could be even better this year. Rookie RT Wayne Vega came into camp and just crushed everyone in his path, he was so good the Colts moved their line around to start him at RT. Brandon Fusco moved inside to RG and pushed Pro-Bowler Donald Thomas into a backup role. The Colts offense figures to be the best in football, and this unit is one reason why.
Starting HB : Coming into the NFL Draft the team was set to start Justin Forsett, but the preseason changed their minds. Rookie HB Shayn Ramsey impressed coaches with his pass blocking and ability to hold on to the ball. He's a bigger back than Forsett, but he isn't all that fast and doesn't provide the best receiving option. Despite all of that, Hamilton and the Colts tabbed him to be their starter.
Can Ramsey fill Richardson's shoes?
FALL QUESTIONS
Defensive Line (Again) : Donavon Browning was really good in his rookie year, and he figures to improve going forward, but this group is really thin. Snagging Terrance Knighton on a 1-year deal was a good move, but he can't play every down. Arthur Jones and Ricky Jean-Francois are backing up the ends and DT, which is not an ideal situation. Rookie Brieon Vaughn won the starting job at RE, but it wasn't that hard to win over the other options. This line is going to be very reliant on the linebackers, otherwise it's going to be hard to repeat their 2015 performance.
Tight End : After having what might have been the most dynamic TE situation in the NFL, the Colts suddenly find themselves starting two guys who are average at best. In fact, the TE situation has influenced Hamilton to make a bit of a shift in their offensive philosophy. Based on the preseason, the Colts are backing away from two-TE situations and starting to run more plays out of the shotgun. Jacob Tamme and Brandon Pettigrew, both signed on 1-year deals, are blocking TE types who might be possession receivers at best. It will be interesting to see how Luck and the offense adjust after a huge season from Dwayne Allen.
Secondary Depth : Team management tried hard to upgrade the secondary in the draft, but with LaRon Landry back in the starting lineup it still has some issues. Three of the four starters look to be solid, with Kian Sampson looking like a great draft pick, but nickel/dime/quarters defense will be a problem. There are a lot of rookies and below-average guys backing up the starters, an injury or two could kill the Colts' ability to defend the pass.
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