Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - ROSTER BATTLES: Which Significant Indianapolis Colts Position Battles Will Shake Things Up?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Can Jalen Tuamala win the starting defensive end job in camp? We're going to preview that and many other camp battles this offseason for the Indianapolis Colts. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to Locked on Colts. I'm Zach Hicks. That's Jake Arthur.

Starting point is 00:00:30 On today's show, we are talking all about projected training camp battles. cannot speak today, guys. We're talking all about projected training camp battles. This was a question that was posed by Melvin from our Everydayer Club for yesterday's episode. And Jake and I really wanted to dive into this in a full length episode because how can we only talk about projected can't battles in like two minutes on the show? We wanted to really give it the time it deserves. So we're going to talk about battles for the bottom of the roster. We're going to talk about battles for backup spots, key backup spots, and also talk about battles for starting positions. on this Colts team. And Jake, we're going to have a competitive offseason with this Colts roster

Starting point is 00:01:10 because so many spots are up for grabs. So let's start with left end, left defensive end, or just strong side defensive end in Luanna Ramos scheme. They didn't draft a guy in the top 100. They haven't signed a big name free agent, even though they were fishing for one out there. So as of right now, it feels like it's like open competition between Jalen to him a low-ow. Michael Clemens, Arden Key, it factors into that as well. So of those three guys, how do you kind of see that going? And how do you, I guess, project that out for this training camp? Yeah, it would be nice if George Gumbs and Cady and Curry counted towards that,

Starting point is 00:01:47 but I think they're probably more long-term situation type of guys. But yeah, like you said, I think it probably comes down to Tuomolo and Clemens and Arden Key. And there's a few different ways to look at it. So two Molo, you draft them in the second round last year. So he's already kind of got that cachet of being a high draft pick. And stylistically, he kind of fits the mold of being more of like a power base. And you can stop the run. But unfortunately, he didn't show you a whole lot last year.

Starting point is 00:02:15 But now you've cleared the room a little bit. Tyquine Lewis is not in the way. Samson Ebbecom is not in the way. So you kind of give him the floor. And I'm assuming a ton of extra reps throughout the offseason program and training camp to really give them a gauge of if they can, really insert him into this battle to be among one of the starters. So that one will be interesting. Michael Clemens is kind of, you know, the next step down from that.

Starting point is 00:02:41 He's not a guy that really ever caught on that well in New York with the Jets. But, you know, skill set-wise, that's also his thing. You know, power end. He's not got that pass rushing juice. He's not got a lot of finesse to him. It's going to be more of like a base guy that can, you know, defend the run a little bit. You hope he'll defend the run. he did struggle defending the run with New York test.

Starting point is 00:03:02 You hope he can defend the run. Yeah, in theory, that's how his usage is suggested. But then Arden Key is kind of the wild card because he's supposed to be more of a pass rusher. You know, like him and Laiatu Latu are kind of, you know, similar in that way where they're on your team to rush the pass. You're not, you know, they can be multi-down players, but, you know, they're there for one thing, really. So while he's best suited to probably be like your third edge rusher and a guy in the rotation, the Colts could just decide, well, this is our second best defensive end that we have. And then so that's what we're doing.

Starting point is 00:03:39 It's Latu and Key. We're putting our two best guys on the field. So that's kind of how I see that one shaking out. I've got optimism about Tuma LOWL that he can show a little something. I just need to be sold. I have got to see it first because in my mind when I, when I just project the starting lineup, it's key. You know, for now it's key.

Starting point is 00:04:03 I know they like Tuamolo out and his lack of playing time last year was, you know, kind of in their words, not as much about him as it was the veterans they had in the room. And they were just more comfortable with them. Well, now, Toa Malo out, second year, he's one of the veterans in the room. So we'll see how that works. Yeah, we'll see. We'll see if those words actually do back up this training camp. It really comes down to how,

Starting point is 00:04:27 Fumelow shows up to camp, right? If he shows up a little bit more in shape, a little bit stronger than he did last year, then he can certainly earn his way. But hopefully he used this offseason to really get his body ready for the NFL after seeing a little taste of it last season. Another open competition that I think is going to be a competition in training camp, Akeem Davis Gaither versus Bryce Betcher for that starting will position, will linebacker position. Davis Gaither has the experience with Luana Rumo, but I mean,

Starting point is 00:04:56 Betcher is a 24-year-old rookie, right? You're drafting that guy, not in the top 100, but just outside the top 100 to come in here and play like a significant role for you in some regard this year. So I think this is going to be an interesting one in training camp. I think Davis Gather is going to get the first crack at it. But we saw with Loua and Remo last year, right? Whoever gets the first crack at it is not guaranteed to get the starting job. He will throw every linebacker he can out there to see who really wins that spot. So Betcher's going to get every chance he can to win that Will's starting spot. And it wouldn't shock me if the Colter starting two rookies at linebacker on day one

Starting point is 00:05:33 if Betcher has a really strong camp. Yeah, for a linebacker especially, I think we know week one is not a firm deadline. They will continue to work on that until they find what they really like. I do imagine that it is Akeem Davis Gather's job to lose for a while, though, just because he's worked with Lou, Lou knows what to expect from him. You know, there's just that trust and that, you know, I'm guessing in Lou's point of view, a higher floor, just a baseline of responsibility that he can expect from Davis Gather. And until Betcher kind of really just opens their eyes and impresses everybody, you know, it's going to be Davis Gather out there. You and I did discuss.

Starting point is 00:06:16 I think there's still room for everybody to have some sort of limited role still, whether it's nickel, dime, what have you, passing down, is running. rundowns. And we do think that all these guys will kind of get a little bit of run. But yeah, I think it will be Davis Gather's spot to lose for us, especially with C.J. Allen, you know, he's a rookie. Like, they really, really like it. But he is a rookie. There's stuff he hasn't seen, you know, yet in the NFL. So I wouldn't be surprised if Betcher is your starter by the end of the year. But initially, I think it's going to be Davis Gather. Yeah, for sure. Another one we got touch on, which kind of was a shocker that emerged from the draft. right guard, or I guess you could put right guard and right tackle in the same bucket, right?

Starting point is 00:06:58 Two of these three positions, or two positions for three players will be up for grabs with right guard, McAnsovus, Jalen Farmer was drafted, and then Jalen Travis could factor into like if they want to just find their best guys, right, to get on the field. But let's just simplify it and say Jalen Traylon Farmer versus McSolvis in training camp. Now, I think Consolvis has a clear edge in this one. He had a pretty solid season last year in what was his. first career season, like first season of his life playing at guard. He's been working with Olin Croutes this all season, as Chris Ballard said as well,

Starting point is 00:07:33 a guy that Ballard knows from his days with Chicago. And I think it's going to be Consolves his job. One thing to keep in mind, too, with Jalen Farmer and the hype around him right now and how, you know, I know that this coaching staff is excited about him, but, you know, the Colts have drafted rookie offensive linemen every year that they've had Tony Sparano Jr. and they haven't had a rookie starter on day one. none of those guys have started day one. They've all been reserve players that had to work their way into the lineup,

Starting point is 00:07:59 whether through injury or became full-time starters after that first season. So I think Farmer, they're going to let marinate a little bit. But, you know, if he has a great training camp and shows that he's ready, guys like Consolvis and Travis are not that firm, firmly entrenched in their starting spot. So while I do think it's going to be Consolvis at right guard, at least initially, and probably for the duration of the year, I wouldn't sleep on Jalen Farmer in this battle. Yeah, I think they'll find something for Farmer to do.

Starting point is 00:08:27 I do think that Gonzalez is good enough to not be replaced right away by a rookie. None of us were really looking for that to happen anyways. But Farmer, of course, just by the nature of injuries and just Colts rookies always play, even if they're not starters. They'll have something. I mean, maybe they make him the extra linemen and jumbo packages. You know, we'll see what it holds. These next couple ones, they're the kind of footnotes.

Starting point is 00:08:53 So strong safety. Let's just go ahead with, it looks like AJ Halsey should be his job to lose initially. But you got Hunter Wooller, which we know the Colts have been itching to get him out there. And I would maybe throw Juan Yee Thomas in there as well. Not a big, you know, monetary commitment to him. But still at the same time, I think he was going to have a good shot at it before Halsey got drafted. Yeah, I'd be shocked if AJ Halsey's not the day one starter at Strachey.

Starting point is 00:09:21 strong safety, as long as injuries don't play into this. I just think that he's everything they're looking for at that spot. So I'd be very shocked. But again, when it comes to competition, nothing's guaranteed. And when you're not a top 50 pick, you know, we can see these guys not get starting roles initially like we saw with Nick Cross during his rookie season, for instance. So that's part of it here. And then one more to throw in their kicker battle is always important.

Starting point is 00:09:43 Obviously, Blake Groupie and Spencer Schrader battling it out to, I mean, two of the best kickers in the league last year when for the, for the Colts, that is. Blake Ruppie struggled with the Saints. But when they were on the Colts and when they were both playing at their parts of the season, two of the best kickers in football during their stretches. So I see this as a battle between two guys who played well last year. Let's just see who does better in camp. And heck, if they both look great in camp, maybe you can flip one of these guys for like a late round pick and get something back

Starting point is 00:10:10 because teams are always desperate for kickers. Both these guys are young and had good play last season. So I think this is going to be hopefully a battle of two strength. between these two guys and we'll see where it goes. Yeah, super interesting. I mean, Schrader got the first five games, Groupie got the last five games. They only missed one kick between them.

Starting point is 00:10:29 Unfortunately, the worst kicker of the year, Michael Badgley had the longest extended period with the middle seven games of the season. But no, I'm looking forward to Groupie versus Grupy versus Schrader. You know I will have that one charted during training camp, especially for you Zach. Great. But yeah, here in a moment, guys,

Starting point is 00:10:46 we're talking about some of the, you know, the key depth spots that seem to be up. for grabs. We'll talk about that in just a moment. The NBA playoffs are here and every possession matters. If you're looking to get even closer to the action, Bandoul has a great offer to get you started. Right now, new customers can bet just $5 and you're going to get 150 back in bonus bets if that first bet wins. That's right. Turn $5 into $150 in bonus bets just for getting started. I like using Fandle during the playoffs because everything I need is right there in one place. You can check stats, trends, matchups before making your picks,

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Starting point is 00:11:48 Just head to fandul.com to get started. Bandle, play your game. Welcome back, everybody. We are talking about camp battles that seem to be the most consequential after the draft. Some UDFAs have been thrown in the mix as well. Before we get there, though, don't forget to check out the Every Dare Club for ad-free audio episodes of the show and access to a group chat with other listeners with Zach and me as well.

Starting point is 00:12:14 Just tap the link in our show notes or go to LockdownColdst.com to get involved now. All right. So this one is pretty interesting. Zach, because it's got, like, there's going to be multiple players involved, regardless of who wins and is like the starter week in and week out. But it's, this was just really intriguing because, like, it could change like week to week. And that's wide receiver three outside of Alec Pierce and Josh Down. So you've got Ashton Duhlin, Dionne Burke, Selequan Treadwell, you know, Nick Westbrook Akina, like maybe Anthony Gould factors into this thing as well, probably not if Dionne Burr,

Starting point is 00:12:52 is involved too. But still, there's a lot of guys buying for one spot. And I mean, it's a wide receiver three. They're going to play plenty of snaps. Yeah, I'm really curious to see what they do with this because,

Starting point is 00:13:02 you know, on paper, we can sit here and say like, oh, when they're in like 12 and 13 personnel, Josh Down's going to kick out and play some Z wide receiver. So it's not the biggest need in the world, but,

Starting point is 00:13:12 you know, the Colts and most teams in the NFL still play 11 personnel at like a 70% clip, right? Like, this is the like predominant personnel. that they play in. When you go into two-minute offense, you're typically playing an 11 personnel, right?

Starting point is 00:13:27 You're getting three wide receivers on the field. So who will be that third receiver in the pecking order? That's going to be a big question, the Coltsey, to find out. It could be a guy who's not even currently on the roster, right? They could still go out and sign somebody who's out there. I mean, I'm not trying to link any names to them, but that is certainly a possibility with where this team currently lies.

Starting point is 00:13:47 I would say as of right now, looking at the roster, Ashton Doolan certainly has the inside track. a player who they relied on in a pinch last year to play some offensive snaps. It looked good every time you got on the field in terms of like, you know, filling in for Alec Pierce as the X wide receiver against the Raiders. It had a couple big catches in that game. Got some gadget looks here and there where he took handoffs out of the back field as a wide receiver and also filled in for Michael Pittman Jr. at times and played a little bit of Z

Starting point is 00:14:15 and showed his blocking chops and showed his ability to run over the middle of field as well. So I think Doolin is going to have that inside track, but I'm intrigued by Dionne Burks quite a bit. I think guys like Treadwell and Westbrook-Akina, you know, they're more bottom of the roster, like special teams, gritty players, like more grit than talent at this point in their careers. But there is roles for those guys in the offense, I think, and I think they might get some snaps on offense every now and then. So it'll be really interesting to see how this plays out. But, you know, a player like Doolin has certainly earned this shot.

Starting point is 00:14:47 But I want to see if they maybe add another. guy to this competition or if your big like juice guys are going to be dueling versus burks um yeah we'll see what plays out with wider see where the rest of the the off season here a j brown to the colts you heard it here first everybody yeah uh no but uh don't forget ashton dulin also a rep rushing the passer last year as well he did it was unsuccessful but he did it we call him do it all dueling for a reason here yes exactly that's exactly right uh so this next one kind of of intriguing because like the Colts have expressed that they do want to have better depth at running back. And last year was just kind of another thing where they flew by the seat of their pants.

Starting point is 00:15:30 Like Tyler Goodson was named RB2 pretty early on. It was Tyler Goodson or DJ Giddens behind Jonathan Taylor. If you remember that on the depth chart, um, Goodson, because he was always going to be active because he was a gunner. Giddens, partly active because no special teams prowess whatsoever. but now they have thrown Seth McGowan into the mix to face off with DJ Giddens. Amir Abdullah's out the door. Tyler Goodson's out the door. So now your two primary backups aren't really special teamers, but one of them is going to have to be.

Starting point is 00:16:02 And then you mentioned the other day as well, someone has to step up in pass pro also. Now, last year for the vast majority of the year, Jonathan Taylor had grown leaps and bounds in all areas. He was better as a receiver than he'd ever been, better in pass protection than he'd ever been. But he did kind of, you know, come down to earth a little bit in all factors as the season war on.

Starting point is 00:16:24 So I do think you need somebody else capable of kind of filling in those gaps. Like Taylor, Taylor can't be on the field constantly again. Like is your best player? Absolutely. But if you're going to get anywhere, the guy has got to take some rest at some point. Yeah, no, for sure.

Starting point is 00:16:40 And I think as of right now, the running back room is complete open season with all these young guys. I don't think there's anything that really separates any of them on paper outside of like, you know, Giddens was the highest drafted player, but we're not talking about a third round pick here. We're talking about a fifth round pick who just had a whole season of basically being a healthy scratch. Like you're not really guaranteed anything in this league as a fifth round pick, let alone when you're coming off the season like he did. McGowan, like yeah, he got the seventh round draft capital, but he still has to earn his way going forward.

Starting point is 00:17:11 And these undrafted free agents are probably looking at this and saying, hey, this is my best shot around the league to earn an RB2 spot, to earn an RB3 spot. So I think it's open season for all these young players, but that doesn't mean they can get complacent because they are one bad practice away from an Amir Abdullah type of player coming in here and being the RB2. So these guys got to show up for past protection and pass blocking. They got to show up for special teams. And then the running back two or running back three snaps can come after those two things

Starting point is 00:17:40 are accomplished. So I really don't have a feel on how this is going to go. think they want it to be get-ins like they really want it to be get-ins um and i think mcgowan is like insurance there but they're going to let these other guys compete as well and see what they can do in camps so it's going to be open season you know get-ins they want to win it but may the best man win when it comes to all these young players all these guys under like 25 years old just go out there and show it you can well i guess McGowan's like immediately disqualified McGowan yeah except for McGowan uh but he's he's like a young 25 because he's barely

Starting point is 00:18:13 played football since, you know, being in the college level. But besides that, these are, like, younger guys. They're going to all get their shot in camp, and we're going to see what they can do. So may the best man win. That's crazy that McGowan is really not that much younger than Jonathan Taylor. He's not, but he's maybe, like, got like, what,

Starting point is 00:18:33 a tenth of the carries in his career as Taylor has. All right. So let's let you shine on this one. Swing tackle. Blake Freeland, Luke Tanuda, Nolan Rucci will throw him in the main. mix, maybe Gonzalez or Jalen Travis, depending on what happens at starting right guard. Like, this one's pretty interesting too.

Starting point is 00:18:51 Yeah, I see either way, Gonzalez is probably going to be your swing tackle. Gonzalez or Travis will be your swing tackle, right? No matter how they configure it, like even if Gonzalez is starting at right guard and Travis is starting at right tackle, if anything were to happen to a tackle, Gonzalez would go in there and be that next tackle. So he can be your starting right guard and your swing tackle for your team because you can put farmer in at guard to replace Gonzalvis, right? But the Colts typically like to keep four tackles on the roster. So even if you are factoring Gonzobos in there, that final offensive

Starting point is 00:19:23 tackle spot is still up for grabs for guys like Tanuda, Freeland coming off of his big injury last year. Like, who knows the work he put in? Maybe he's going to come into camp a completely new man. You never want to count out super athletes on the offensive line because if it does click for them one day, then you can have something good on your hands. And then, Yeah, Nolan Rucci factors in. I think Byron Matos could factor in as well, 6'7, 334-pound guy. So I think all these guys are going to have a shot here.

Starting point is 00:19:53 Tanuda certainly has the inside track being on the roster last year, playing some snaps last season as well. He's kind of established himself, like, even though he doesn't play much in the regular season, like he's a guy who bounces around and teams are fine with him as like a fourth offensive tackle. So I think Tanuda probably wins this, but I think these other guys have a shot for sure.

Starting point is 00:20:13 Yeah, that one's pretty interesting. Let's get this last one in here really quick. Backup one tech nose tackle, however you want to put it. So we know Grover Stewart is going to be your starter, obviously. But you got Derek Nottie. That's just kind of like a by default veteran. If they feel they just want a veteran in there, sure, there you go. You could probably put Jerry Tillery in there.

Starting point is 00:20:34 But Tim Smith is the guy that really needs to step up as a draft pick last year. And then Cam Ball as a pretty intriguing UDFA this year. I think honestly ball is the one probably with the most juice. Smith is like Smith is just like a boring nose tackle type, like a space eater. There's nothing flashy about him, but he could be very effective. You know what I mean? So it would be very beneficial for the Colts if either of Smith or Ball really stepped up and grabbed this spot. Yeah, I really want one of the young guys to win this because I don't want to see Tilleri

Starting point is 00:21:07 trying to play one tech in the NFL next season. But yeah, that could be a tough one there. Coming up, though, Jake and I are going to go through some guys that we think are on, like, the bottom of the roster that could have a shot of making the team. They're probably practice squad guys, but realistically, these guys could be fighting for, like, the bottom, like, two to three spots on the roster. Jake and I are going to go back and forth on a few of those players and kind of sell each other on a few of these profiles. Workplace chaos. Deadlines are stacking up. The inbox is overflowing. And that one position that you got to fill is just still sitting wide open. When the pressure is on and you need the right hire, this is a job for sponsored jobs.

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Starting point is 00:22:38 Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. All right, welcome back, everybody, for one more go-around with this Camp Battles thing here that we're talking about. All right, so we've talked about the starting spots that are up for grabs, some of the key rotational backup spots. But these are some bottom of the roster guys who, wherever they fit, Zach and I just think they've got a good chance at turning some heads and kind of grabbing a roster spot. So we've got a couple of receivers here, Zach. Dionne Burks and Lequan Treadwell, two totally different players, but two who, you know, with special teams being kind of an X factor, might just grab a spot.

Starting point is 00:23:22 Yeah, dare I put myself on the spot here and say, I think both these guys make the team out of training. I think so, too, honestly. I'll think both of them, but here's my hot take with it. I think people are too quick to lock in Westbrook Aquina over Treadwell in their, like, early predictions. There's nothing on paper that says that Westbrookina has some roster lock, right? He's a roster minimum player currently.

Starting point is 00:23:45 And they kind of offer like the similar skill set, right? Like neither of them really have the juice or like much flash, but they're hard worker, special teams guys that can block if they get out there on offense. The thing with Treadwell, though, is he was like not only good on special teams last year. He was fantastic. Yeah. Like when he got called up to the roster halfway through the year, he became like, the Ashton Doolin especially because Doolin was out with an injury.

Starting point is 00:24:10 He became like the Doolin level player. He had like six tackles in like the first couple games. Like he was really good on teams. I think Shane Steichen thinks the world of Treadwell as well, like as a player and as a person. So I think we're counting Treadwell out too much over a guy like Westbrook Aquina. But we'll see how it plays out in camp. But Bers, I think we'll certainly make it.

Starting point is 00:24:30 Treadwell, though, I think there, I think we'll see some buzz in training. I think we'll be shocked in the first couple training camp. can't practices when he's getting rotational snaps with the ones and people will be like, oh my God, he's getting rotational snaps with the one. But I think that's where we're heading as of right now. Yeah, I mean, this is a numbers game and you put Dionne Burks versus Anthony Gould and McCawn Treadwell versus Nick Westbrooket Kina.

Starting point is 00:24:53 Those guys stylistically and role-wise are pretty similar. So why would they not be battling for one spot individually, you know? Let's go with a couple running backs now. I love this one a lot. Ulysses Bentley the 4th. and Jordan Vaughn, Jordan Vaughn at UDFA this year. Like we talked about, backup running back is wide open, and you're going to take probably three running backs.

Starting point is 00:25:15 Now they could go through with Taylor and McGowan and Giddens, but Bentley and Vaughn both have special teams prowess. Bentley played for the Colts last year a little bit, played some special teams. And I thought, like, during the preseason that, he looked pretty good. I can catch the ball as well. Jordan Vaughn is 6-3-2-35. a very productive player as well in his role.

Starting point is 00:25:40 And again, Abilene Christian was able to play some special teams. So with special teams and pass protection being kind of like big X factors and all of this, maybe they get an RB3 spot or maybe if the Colts feel the need to have RB4 because they want like, you know, maybe Gunner probably goes to one of the receivers. But you know what I mean? Like they're looking to fill special team seats here. Yeah, I'm very intrigued by Bentley because he, He ran hard in training camp and preseason last year.

Starting point is 00:26:09 Yeah, so I'm intrigued by him. I know he's not the most, like, like, heightweight speed guy, but I was intrigued by him. I'm happy that he's still around with the Colts, and I'm curious to see what he can bring. Going to the offensive line, a couple of younger players, Nolan Rucci at offensive tackle, who talked about Byron Motto's offensive tackle as well, but also center, Jimmy Morrissey, and that's the one I kind of want to focus on here because we're assuming Dalton Tucker could be the backup center, but Morsi more so fits the genre, I guess, of center that Tony Sprano Jr. likes, the breed of center, I guess, like the smaller athletic guy who can reach blocks at the second level.

Starting point is 00:26:46 Morsi hasn't really stuck at the NFL level yet, but I'm intrigued by him. I'm intrigued to see what he can bring in camp and see if he can be like a Pinter-like player, like a guy who doesn't really handle power very well, but if you can get him on the move, he can do some things for you. So while I think Dalton Tucker probably is your backup center, I'm not going to count out more so yet until we see him in training camp. Yeah, I would really like to see Rucci play well enough to make it. I just think, like, that's someone who was very much draftable anytime on day three for them.

Starting point is 00:27:18 And you just, you just need more at swing tackle, I think, without having to pull guys from their other more natural positions. We talked about Campbell and Tim Smith a little bit, but for those who don't know much about Camball, go ahead and tell us a little bit. bit more about him. Yeah, Cam Ball, I believe he was a five-year player at Arkansas. Team captain down there as well, very explosive athletic gap shooter. I think there's a lot to like with him, just dealt with a couple injuries in college that led to him slipping in the draft. He's got to lower his pad level a little bit and be a little bit more consistent against power, but there's some traits there that I like with him. So he seems more like a stash guy on the practice squad for this next year, but high character, high athleticism. I think he could be an

Starting point is 00:28:01 interesting player there. One more I really want to touch on, and we can also sprinkle in some other ones at the end, but just how they navigate the back end of this defensive backroom, right, from corner and safety, Jake. Like, safety, I think we both agree that three safeties are going to make the team. There are locks to make the team in Bynum, Halsey, and Hunter Woller, but if they keep five safeties, for instance, you have like eight guys competing for those five, those final two spots in Jonathan Owens, Warnier Thomas, Trey Washington. Austin Brown, who got almost 300,000 guaranteed as an underactive free agent. Daniel Scott.

Starting point is 00:28:39 Ruben Lowry is also going to be competing there. So all these guys can, yeah, all these guys competing for one to two spots at the back end of safety. And then the back end of corner as well, like with Can Taylor Brick coming in here, with Wally being healthy, you know, it becomes more of a roster crunch for guys like Jalen Jones, Jonathan Edwards, Cameron Mitchell. and seeing what that competition looks like for maybe one spot at the bottom of the roster there. I think they value Edwards a lot. Mitchell came on strong late last season, though, as well. And Jones has starting experience in the NFL. So I'm curious to see how those battles at the back end of the defensive back depth chart look like.

Starting point is 00:29:17 I think those are strong battles. Yeah, Nasir Adelaidele as well at safety. I think you mentioned in there. And I wasn't like, I didn't even know. You didn't even know. You didn't even mention. Okay, yeah, I was like Nassir Adelie is also in there. So, yeah, tons of talent.

Starting point is 00:29:28 at the back end of these defensive back rooms. And I'm really curious to see, like, all those names we just mentioned are probably fighting for, like, three roster spots at the bottom of the roster. So we'll see, like, how that transpires in camp and where guys align early in camp because, like, I don't even know if your past status in the league or past status with the team really matters here. It's going to be just made the best guy win. And that's the way training camp should be. Yeah. I mean, it could be a situation. Some of these, again, especially corner and safety, you're so.

Starting point is 00:29:58 deep that the Colts might be able to flip someone for a six or seventh round pick at roster cut time like how they got black yeah how they got blackman uh last year from the Vikings like when you're that deep that can happen uh and then let's real quick talk about um some linebackers West Weeks at UDFA from LSU um no idea what to expect from Devin Barrisuke but I mean I knew it a Canadian defensive rookie of the year essentially I think he probably was brought on just to play special teams. But John Bullock as well, a guy who was a standout special teamer last year as a rookie. So some guys you never heard of might find their way onto the team just because they've

Starting point is 00:30:42 completely remade the linebacker group. Yeah, bottom of the roster at linebacker is going to be open season as well. I think outside of the top three guys, may the best special teamer win for linebacker four and maybe linebacker five. They keep five. So, you know, I'm hoping for your boy here, Jake. I hope Verisuk can come in here and look like a stuttle and special teams because it would be great to have another Shagooa Lube that we just absolutely love on this show that never gets playing time on defense but gets an occasional block punt here. So do we know Verisuk's number for training camp yet?

Starting point is 00:31:12 If it's an ugly number, I'm going to have to play you a sad song on here. Now, see, I got a request to talk to him on Friday during rookie minicamp when it opens. And I got to see what the number is and we'll see how the vibes are after that. Yeah, because I feel like as like a bottom of the roster, like futures content, correct guy. They're going to give him something like 47 or something. Yeah, if he's like 42, 47, ugh. Yeah. The only 40's number that I would rock with for him for him at lineback be like number 40. That'd be fun like John Riggins back there. No, Riggins was 44, right? Yeah, 40. 40 just feels like a cruncher number though. Like that's Jalen Jones. Your tall, your tall skinny corner already has

Starting point is 00:31:50 number 40. Very well-fitting number. Yeah. So we'll see what it looks like for Verisuk and his number debate. here in training kev but uh yeah those are a couple guys at the bottom of the roster we think could fight for those bottom like you know four or five spots to potentially make the team so let us know what you think in the comment section and thank you all for tuning in today to locked on colts be back yet again tonight with the locked on colt squad show so make sure you you subscribe and follow locked on cold so you get all of the latest episodes and if you don't already make sure you're following at locked on colts at jay garthor and i found at zackix 2 all on socials if you never miss an episode the everyday club is built for you get us ad free plus members are

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