INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts opened organized team activities, the third phase of offseason workouts, this week. Players can wear helmets, but no full pads or contact while going through full team drills.
This is a good time to give you a look at the projected starters since that’s a question that I get asked on a regular basis. There’s still more than three months before the Colts take the field for their Week 1 matchup at Buffalo so a lot could happen between now and then. Here’s a look at who I think would start if the Colts had to play a game today.
DE: Kendall Langford
Note: Langford returns to a 3-4 defense after playing in a 4-3 the past three seasons with the St. Louis Rams. He replaces Cory Redding, who signed with Arizona, in the starting lineup.
NT: Josh Chapman
Note: This is the least solidified starting position on the defense. Chapman only gets the edge for now because he started 15 of 16 games last season. He’ll be pushed by Montori Hughes and rookie David Parry for snaps at the position.
DT: Art Jones
Note: Health is the key for Jones. He missed seven games with an ankle injury last season, and he admitted that he was never fully healthy after suffering the high-ankle sprain in Week 2.
LB: Erik Walden, Jerrell Freeman, D’Qwell Jackson, Trent Cole
Note: I envision Robert Mathis in the starting lineup, but since we’re basing the lineup off of health today, Cole currently gets the edge because Mathis, who led the NFL in sacks with 19.5 in 2013, is still working his way back from a torn Achilles.
CB: Vontae Davis, Greg Toler
Note: Their ability -- when playing together -- to play one-on-one on the outside allowed the front seven to be aggressive in blitz packages called by defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. The key, though, is for Davis and Toler to remain healthy and be on the field together.
Note: Lowery replaces LaRon Landry and Sergio Brown, who split time playing alongside Adams last season. Lowery started 15 of 16 games last season with the Atlanta Falcons.
