The Indianapolis Colts have a new starting quarterback in Carson Wentz. Who else will join him as the cut down to the 53-man roster approaches on Tuesday, Aug. 31?
The Indianapolis Colts will look to challenge the Tennessee Titans for the AFC South division lead in the 2021 NFL season — and it’s really going to be just a two-team race between that pair of franchises.
The Colts will need Carson Wentz to return to his MVP-caliber potential from 2017, as well as for him to remain healthy. The Indianapolis Colts boast one of the better offensive lines in the NFL which will look to pave the way for a strong running game.
But looking at the total roster, who is going to lead the way? We have final predictions for the Indianapolis Colts final cuts and who makes the 53-man roster.
Predicting the Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster for 2021
Quarterbacks: Carson Wentz, Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger (injured in preseason)
With Carson Wentz not certain for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, and with Sam Ehlinger potentially being out for an extended period of time. The Indianapolis Colts only have 1 current healthy quarterback. They will probably bring in a free agent, some players like Nick Mullens or Blake Bortles, or they could claim a quarterback off waivers during next week’s cutdowns.
Running Backs: Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Marlon Mack
I personally expect big things for Jonathan Taylor in 2021, by the season’s end he should be mentioned as one of the better running backs in the NFL. With Nyheim Hines more of a receiver than a true running back I elected to keep Marlon Mack on the 53-man roster.
Wide Receivers: Parris Campbell, T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr., Zach Pascal, Mike Strachan
With Parris Campbell returning to full health, the Indianapolis Colts have a pretty solid top four wide receiver group.
Tight Ends: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson
Granson makes the roster as one of the incoming rookies but he’s firmly behind two extremely familiar faces with Doyle and Alie-Cox continuing to man the position for Indianapolis.
Offensive Line: Ryan Kelly, Eric Fisher, Quenton Nelson, Will Holden, Chris Reed, Mark Glowinski, Braden Smith, Julién Davenport, Jake Eldrenkamp, Javon Patterson
Injuries have hit the offensive line as well with Nelson recovering from the same injury as Wentz while Sam Tevi was also ruled out for the year after the final preseason game. Still, the Colts have plenty of talent to stay one of the best lines in the NFL, especially once Eric Fisher can get on the field.
Defensive Line: Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Antwuan Woods, Andrew Brown, Dayo Odeyingbo, Al-Quadin-Muhammad, Isaac Rochell
DeForest Buckner is a star on the interior but the Colts have to like what they saw from Kwity Paye as the preseason went on. The rookie first-round pick has a ton of explosiveness and showed it in the preseason.
Linebackers: Darius Leonard, Zaire Franklin, Bobby Okereke, Matthew Adams, Isaiah Kafusi, E.J. Speed, Malik Jefferson
Darius Leonard is the star of this group as he is just simply a tackling machine. With that said, Indy is hoping they can get other players, namely someone like Okereke, to step up and complete this unit.
Cornerbacks: Xavier Rhodes, TJ Carrie, Kenny Moore II, Isaiah Rodgers, Marvell Tell III
There aren’t many star names in this group but the Colts have seen solid play from their corners in recent years despite that. They hope that will continue.
Safties: Julian Blackmon, Khari Willis, Shawn Davis, George Odum, Andre Chachere
With Sean Davis now officially cut, this definitely looks like the safety group that the Colts are planning to venture into the 2021 season with.
Special Teams: Rodrigo Blankenship (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
Blankenship already won the kicking competition earlier in the offseason and the rest of the specialists were pretty easy to figure out from there.