The Indianapolis Colts fans had to get used to several new faces during the 2012 season, and guess what, fans? It is time to do it again in 2013! Although not to the degree of turnover in 2012 (about 12-15 different starters from ’11-’12), the Colts have made some fantastic moves during free agency that have upgraded some positions. So far, I predict about seven new starters from last year to this year. As a die-hard fan, your team making this much change can be frustrating or even intimidating, but the changes Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano are making are turning the Colts into a Super Bowl contender. I’m not talking about in the future – I’m talking about right now.
Nearly every need that was glaring after the 2012 season ended has been filled, or even loaded during free agency. The offensive line will have at least two new starters, and the defensive line and secondary will now be two of the strongest groups on the entire team. Right now, there are rumors circulating about a possible trade or free agency acquisition of a “whopper” of a wide receiver, as described by owner Jim Irsay. If the open spot at receiver is filled, then by the time the 2013 NFL Draft rolls around I expect this team to be drafting purely on the best player available approach instead of drafting to fill needs. When a team is in position to draft purely off best player available, there is either something that has gone horribly wrong and they have holes to fill all over the place or the roster is already bolstered with talent. The Indianapolis Colts have the latter.
This lineup will be tweaked as certain phases of the offseason progress, but if the season started tomorrow here is what I believe the depth chart would look like.
OFFENSE
Quarterback – Andrew Luck, (2) Matt Hasselbeck
Runningback – Vick Ballard, (2) Delone Carter
H-Back – Dwayne Allen, (2) Robert Hughes
Wide Receiver – Reggie Wayne, (2) LaVon Brazill
Wide Receiver – T.Y. Hilton, (2) Nathan Palmer
Tight End – Coby Fleener, (2) Dwayne Allen
Left Tackle – Anthony Castanzo, (2) Jeff Linkenbach
Left Guard – Donald Thomas, (2) Ben Ijalana
Center – Samson Satele, (2) A.Q. Shipley
Right Guard – Joe Reitz, (2) Mike McGlynn
Right Tackle – Gosder Cherilus, (2) Bradley Sowell
DEFENSE
Left Defensive End – Cory Redding, (2) Ricardo Mathews
Nose Tackle – Aubrayo Franklin, (2) Josh Chapman
Right Defensive End – Ricky Jean-Francois, (2) Fili Moala
Left Outside Linebacker – Erik Walden, (2) Jerry Hughes
Left Inside Linebacker – Jerrell Freeman, (2) Mario Harvey
Right Inside Linebacker – Pat Angerer, (2) Kavell Conner
Right Outside Linebacker – Robert Mathis, (2) Lawrence Sidbury
Left Cornerback – Vontae Davis, (2) Darius Butler
Free Safety – Antoine Bethea, (2) Joe Lefeged
Strong Safety – LaRon Landry, (2) Sergio Brown
Right Cornerback – Greg Toler, (2) Cassius Vaughn
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kick Returner – Deji Karim, (2) Cassius Vaughn
Punt Returner – T.Y. Hilton, (2) LaVon Brazill
Kicker – Adam Vinatieri
Holder – Pat McAfee
Punter – Pat McAfee
Long Snapper – Matt Overton
Take the Deji Karim selection with a grain of salt. He was not tendered a contract from the team so he is not on the active roster. However, unless the team finds a better option on the roster or in future roster moves, I wouldn’t rule out them bringing him back.
Interesting that you put Nathan Palmer over Griff Whalen at the WR2(2) spot. I’m interested to see how Whalen performs now that he’s back, but I wouldn’t put it past Palmer to win that spot outright.
I’d have to agree with that. Coming out of college I don’t think anyone expected much if anything from Whalen. He had brief moments before he got hurt, but I’d have to think of him as an undrafted free agent again. Word is that the team is still high on him, though. He definitely has an edge now that Hamilton is the new OC.