Moore: Colts' 53-Man Roster Prediction for 2023

The Indianapolis Colts have many tough decisions to make before the Tuesday afternoon cut deadline.

Cutdown day is always one of the worst days of the year for NFL coaches.

Teams must trim their roster from 90 to 53 players as the regular season is right around the corner. Tough decisions have to be made, and some players will never play a down of professional football again.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of those teams where competition will be fierce to make the final roster. With the cut deadline at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, here is my crack at what the 53-man roster will look like for the Colts.

Quarterback (3): Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger

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The quarterback battle has been wrapped up for a few weeks now as head coach Shane Steichen named Richardson the starting quarterback. As Richardson learns and develops as the starter, Minshew will be the veteran backup the rookie can lean on.

Ehlinger sneaks onto the roster due to the NFL's new emergency quarterback rule. The Colts still like Ehlinger and what he brings to the quarterback room, and he is a cheap third quarterback to have.

Running Back (3): Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, Evan Hull

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Outside of Richardson, the running back situation has been the most talked about group in the preseason. Regardless if Jonathan Taylor is traded or not, his ankle still is not healthy, and he will revert to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list if he is still on the team. Moss is recovering from a broken arm but should be back soon and will be the starter when Taylor is not out there.

Jackson and Hull have had flashes during the preseason and are locks to make it. While having only three running backs may seem like a small amount, do not be surprised if the Colts sign a veteran back. Free agent Kareem Hunt is a name to watch, and both sides have interest in possibly striking a deal.

Wide Receiver (5): Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Isaiah McKenzie, Juwann Winfree

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Pittman and Pierce are the established starters on the outside and are looking to form a connection with Richardson for years to come. Downs earned the starting role in the slot after a solid training camp and preseason.

The final two spots come down to help on special teams. McKenzie can help in the slot on offense but is also one of the top return men on the Colts roster. Winfree helps fill the void of Ashton Dulin being lost for the season on offense and as a gunner on special teams.

Tight End (4): Mo Alie-Cox, Jelani Woods, Kylan Granson, Drew Ogletree

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Tight end has been one of the most competitive groups throughout training camp. While Alie-Cox could be on the fringe of cuts, he gets the nod due to his veteran presence and being the best blocker of the group. Woods, Granson, and Ogletree will be the primary pass catchers at the tight end position.

Rookie Will Mallory barely misses the cut after a solid preseason. The Colts will undoubtedly try to sneak Mallory onto their practice squad, but it could be tough. However, if the Colts place Woods on PUP as he recovers from a torn hamstring, Mallory could sneak back onto the 53-man roster.

Offensive Line (9): Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Wesley French, Arlington Hambright, Carter O'Donnell

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The starting offensive line for the Colts has been the same throughout training camp and will continue into the regular season. There is little worry about what Raimann, Nelson, and Smith bring to the table. Kelly looks on his way to bouncing back in 2023, but the right guard spot with Fries is still cause for concern.

Look for the Colts to be active on the waiver wire as they try to add depth to their offensive line. Freeland is likely to stay as a fourth-round pick, but the Colts need to upgrade here in a major way. French, Hambright, and O'Donnell make it for now, but they may not be on the team in a few days.

Defensive Line (9): DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, Dayo Odeyingbo, Tyquan Lewis, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Eric Johnson II, McTelvin Agim

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The Colts hope the quartet of Buckner, Stewart, Paye, and Ebukam will get plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and help out a young and inexperienced secondary. Odeyingbo will get plenty of action as well on passing downs.

The depth along the interior of the defensive line may need some help as Johnson and Adebawore are still learning and refining their game. Agim had a solid preseason and got plenty of run when Buckner was out with a foot injury. He could be a sneaky backup in the middle.

Linebacker (6): Shaquille Leonard, Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Grant Stuard, JoJo Domann, Segun Olubi

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Leonard looks to finally be back from a back/nerve injury that plagued him for almost two years. When healthy, Leonard and Franklin are arguably a top-10 linebacking duo in the NFL. Speed can also start when needed and will be the starting SAM when the Colts are in their base 4-3.

The final three linebackers all offer depth and special teams ability. Stuard came to Indy last year strictly as a special teamer but showed in the preseason he can add depth as well. Olubi was one of the standouts of the preseason and earned a spot on the Colts roster.

Cornerback (7): Kenny Moore II, Darrell Baker Jr., Dallis Flowers, JuJu Brents, Darius Rush, Jaylon Jones, Tony Brown

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Outside of Moore, the Colts' cornerback group is very inexperienced and will need to learn fast. Baker and Flowers have been the starters on the outside throughout training camp, with Moore in the slot. Brents and Rush were thought to challenge for those starting roles when camp began, but injuries derailed a true competition. The rookies must stay healthy and perform well to challenge Baker and Flowers.

Jones, a seventh-round pick, has impressed on defense and special teams, and the Colts are high on his potential. Brown will also be one of the gunners on special teams and be the backup nickel to Moore.

Safety (4): Julian Blackmon, Rodney Thomas II, Nick Cross, Trevor Denbow

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Blackmon and Thomas will head into the season as the starters at safety. Blackmon has been energized from the switch to strong safety from free safety and has looked strong. Thomas looks to build off a rookie year that saw him lead the Colts in interceptions.

Cross filled in admirably for Blackmon throughout the preseason and has shown obvious growth from a year ago. Cross could get some run on defense, especially in three-safety sets. Denbow provides help to special teams and made plays at safety throughout the preseason.

Specialists (3): Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes

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There was never a doubt who would make the team here. Gay signed the biggest free agent contract in NFL history for a kicker this spring, and Sanchez looks 100% after tearing his Achilles a season ago. The former All-Pro Rhodes returns for his seventh season with the Colts.

Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

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