INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts open the 2026 NFL regular season against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13. But first, they play one more preseason game Saturday against the Detroit Lions and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
Areas with questions to be addressed include the quarterback unit, where the Colts seem inclined to keep former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr. But they also must find space for what they think is a long list of defensive linemen who deserve roster spots. Finally, the rookie class figures prominently here, with several in line to start and all eight selections in contention to make the roster.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Colts.
Quarterbacks (3)
Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson Sr., Riley Leonard
The Colts have emphasized multiple times the need for quarterback depth in the wake of last year's desperate move to pull Philip Rivers out of retirement after nearly five seasons away from the game. Richardson had previously requested a trade but now seems destined to stick around.
Running backs (3)
Jonathan Taylor, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley IV
The odd man out here is 2025 draft pick DJ Giddens, who has been slowed by injury in the preseason and is not as versatile as McGowan or Bentley. McGowan looks like a candidate to offer some real relief in the backfield after Taylor's heavy workloads the past two seasons.
Wide receivers (6)
Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, Coleman Owen
Allen's recent signing bolsters the depth and adds a critical option for Jones on third down. Owen grabs the final spot because of his role in the return game, getting the nod over Anthony Gould and rookie Deion Burks.
Tight ends (4)
Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
There's good balance in this unit with Warren and Mallory offering options in the passing game and Alie-Cox and Ogletree mainly asked to be blockers. Warren led the Colts in targets last season.
Offensive linemen (9)
Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Blake Freeland, Dalton Tucker, Jalen Farmer, Luke Tenuta
Travis slides into the lineup at right tackle, making him the lone new starter here. Farmer, a fourth-round pick, had a strong camp and will be the first guard off the bench. But the depth at center and offensive tackle is questionable.
Defensive linemen (10)
Arden Key, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Micheal Clemons, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, George Gumbs Jr., Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Caden Curry
GM Chris Ballard will always lean toward keeping extra bodies at defensive line, and that philosophy is reflected here. The balance between edge players and interior players is a bit skewed, but the versatility of a couple players to play inside and outside could make up for that.
Linebackers (5)
CJ Allen, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Bryce Boettcher, Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies
This unit arguably has the least proven talent on the entire roster. Talented rookies Allen and Boettcher should play important roles, which might include the customary growing pains.
Cornerbacks (6)
Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, Cam Taylor-Britt, Johnathan Edwards, Mekhi Blackmon
This position will be fluid. Taylor-Britt won't technically count on the final roster because he'll be serving a one-game suspension in Week 1, but there could be adjustments beyond that. A waiver claim after final cuts could be in play to address the bottom of the depth chart here.
Safeties (4)
Cam Bynum, A.J. Haulcy, Jonathan Owens, Hunter Wohler
Bynum was a great addition in free agency in 2025 and should be further settled in for Year 2. Haulcy has big play-making potential and should start as a rookie.
Special teams (3)
Spencer Shrader (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
Sanchez and Rhodes are longtime holdovers, but Shrader sticks around at kicker after a tough offseason position battle with Blake Grupe. Both seem likely to wind up on rosters, whatever happens here.
