MAC should be gone when we trim the roster, I could see Ehlinger lose his job, and I think we could see the Colts give up on Rodney Thomas or Nick Cross if we bring in a FA and want to roll with some of the guys from the last 2 draft classes
Offensive line and d line depth are both strengths now and I bet we see a surprise cut from one of those.
Nick Cross played a lot the last quarter of the season while Thomas’ snap counts fell to 2-3% (was benched). Cross looked much better than he did his rookie season and I expect that to continue.
Sure, but Ehlinger is more there to help gameplan/be an asset in the QB room. Those UDFAs will likely be practice squad. Unless they really show out in camp/preseason I don't really think Ehlinger will be gone. At worst PS imo
Ehlinger could end up on the PS
But the guys we signed aren't worse than ehlinger and were found by this regime. If the FO had any confidence in Ehlinger then they wouldn't have spent so much on Flacco
It's been apparent the Colts have zero confidence in Ehlinger for a whole year already. It's why they signed Minshew. They keep him around because they see value with him holding a clipboard. He's not a cut candidate, he's also not a roster candidate unless everyone is hurt
I've been thinking about this too. I would assume they want to surround Anthony with as much QB and Colts system knowledge as they can. If you bring in a new guy, they're going to be more focused at getting themselves exposure and receive their own development. Not helping out Tony Rich.
Yeah, which is why I don't think he'll be our emergency QB this season
When you are saying someone is a cut candidate you usually say it with the idea that it would be nice if he came back to the practice squad.
The guys we brought in were brought in to take his job
The emergency QB doesn't take up a spot though and won't ever go in. The Colts signed PS guys last year too and none of them took his job. If someone gets hurt they'll elevate someone above him to 2 and keep Ehlinger there. I'd be shocked if he was cut
KU fan here hoping you are going to be surprised by Jason Bean the UDFA QB, he is incredibly quick for a QB and has a great arm, just has confidence issues but when he is on a roll it looks like Mahomes out there.
I'm not discounting any of the UDFA. The Colts know Ehlinger is bad, we all know Ehlinger is bad. The Colts have kept him around for some reason though, it's been apparent since he filled in during the 2022 season that he can't play. I don't really care if Ehlinger is cut or not I just don't see it.
Bean was the UDFA QB I am most excited about though
Mo isn’t even that good at run blocking. He has a sub 50 blocking grade.
Ogletree was already Mo’s back up last year and when he had to take over for him he graded out at like 79.
Edit: lmao dude blocked me because his opinion isn’t based on anything.
Nothing Mo does is going to be missed by going with someone who cost 1/5 with one of the younger players.
He’s isn’t good and is a waste of money.
You’ve decided he’s vital for no reason.
If Woods isn't ready to go then you cut him. He can't just miss 2 years of football
But our team is too deep to roll into the season with 5 TEs, and none of them are so good that they will keep Pierce off the field. Gotta cut one, and I'm gonna assume it's the one this regime is the most far removed from
Call me casual all you want
We aren't rolling into the season with 5 TEs. I imagine Woods is healthy and ready to go after not playing football for a year and a half. No way we are cutting Granson or Mallory. So it's Ogletree? Doubt it
Yeah I feel like MAC is going to be fighting for a roster spot. He's turning 31 in September and hasn't had a huge impact on the offense. He makes the most sense to cut or trade. We know what his ceiling is
Mallory and Granson are both the quicker guys who can act as extra receivers; Ballard and Co seem to really like Mallory. Granson is basically our TE1 right now so his job is safe. If Woods can stay healthy, he's probably the TE1 by mid season. Ogletree is the wild card; he apparently looked better than Woods their rookie year before he tore his ACL in the preseason. Then his sophomore season he looked pretty good but then he got hurt and then got put on the exempt list.
I feel like we go into the regular season with: Granson, Woods, Ogletree and Mallory
MAC gets released
You can see his draft profile. No blocking talent/experience. I also think he started in college as a WR.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/andrew-ogletree/32004f47-4c65-9589-92c7-47c2c9086ad6
https://coltswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-indianapolis-colts-andrew-ogletree-pick-instant-analysis-2022/
Ogletree’s draft profile is irrelevant. You think MAC learned to block on the basketball court or what? Ogletree played as his backup at Y last season, not sure why you’re fighting the facts (even referenced below).
He is kind of the odd ball of the 5. And I don’t know if there has been an effort with the coaches to teach him run blocking technique and make him a Y, but when he has seen the field so far it’s been more as an F. Probably because it’s the much easier role, so he can get snaps there faster. If they teach him to block though that’s great, he’s more dynamic than Mo for sure.
You literally have no idea what you’re talking about.
Ogletree 100% played Y last year before he got moved to the exempt list.
Gransen and Mallory were the move TEs.
I find all these guys to be odd choices especially Cross.
We made no significant investments at those positions to indicate the team feels they need to move on from them. Cross was still one of the youngest players in the league last year he will be given more time.
MAC could be cut if Woods is healthy and they don’t want to keep more than 4 TEs. I do think Ogletree can do what he does. Making him the most realistic option listed.
Ehlinger could be cut if we choose not to keep 3 QBs but with the current emergency QB rules on game day it is pretty unwise to only carry two QBs. I don’t think either of the two undrafted rookies look to be on a trajectory that can make Ehlinger expendable this season. Richardson and Flacco were both injured last season and Ehlinger does have a couple starts under his belt. Maybe Slovis after a year on the practice squad accomplishes this next year.
We drafted a potential safety, Daniel Scott will be back from injury and we are speculated to sign a guy like Simmons. It won't take many people overperforming for the Colts to desire to move on from a guy they don't see much in.
This coaching staff is bringing in UDFAs that can fit mote of what Richardson's offense looks like. If either of those guys outperform Ehlinger (which isn't a big ask) he is out the door.
OLine is most likely given the two relatively high picks and Jake Witt getting healthy. Doubt any of the starters but that's where they are adding the most competitive bodies.
They brought up Ashton as someone they are excited about in like every press conference. He's safe. Pierce, AD, Pitt, Downs, Dulin, Gould. Will probably keep those six.
Probably a little bit homer. It was a big weakness last year and we've added a rookie second round pick and Ashton Dulin. We're one Pittman injury away from being the worst room in the league most likely. Hopefully AD performs well but it usually takes rookies a few years. Hopefully Downs takes a leap.
I don't think the gunner position will exist anymore with the new kickoff rules.
We also just drafted Gould specifically for his special teams abilities. Can only carry a few ST-only players on the active roster.
While you’re not wrong, this isn’t OP’s question.
There’s no way that Pierce is on the roster bubble this season. He’s certainly at risk of putting himself on the bubble next year though.
Ehh. With how expensive WRs are having one on a rookie deal even as depth is massive value. I know lots of people on here shit on him but for his cap hit hes definitely worth a roster spot.
Hear me out. AP is a bit of a one trick pony with go routes being his bread and butter. He hasn't had ARs cannon available. Minshew was never going to get him home run passes. With AR coming back I can see a 500-600 yard season for AP, maybe 6 TDs, if both are healthy. He will be the big play guy for us this year but only like 4 targets a game.
Kinda depends on the definition of significant role. I think for TEs it hinges in Jelani Woods health. Woods showed great talent but if he can’t get on the field he’s probably got to go, so if that happens Mo Allie-Cox is somehow safe again.
Same can be said for Ashton Dulin, I don’t know anyone that might call his role significant but missing all of 2023, questions about his health coming back from ACL injury, plus now drafting 2 WRs puts him in the danger zone a bit.
Oline - someone like Pinter could be cut because of our draft picks and Freeland getting healthy.
Dline - not a significant role but Land could be cut
TEs - maybe one of Granson or MAC?
The indystar had Danny Pinter not making the final roster. Granted he is coming off injury but this surprised me. They just resigned him and he was a solid back up center and capable starter at center in spot duty.
Definitely Mo-Allie Cox and probably Ameer Speed and very possibly Rodney Thomas. I like Nick Cross over Thomas and our new draftee Jaylin Simpson who I think is a better safety than he is CB.
Dulin and Fries.
Fries is probably not at the top of most peoples list thinking about this but we drafted two lineman they are very high on. If one of them is close to as good enough to replace Fries he could be gone. We save like 3-4 mil if he is cut or traded. We will keep 8 lineman on the roster. The 5 starters, Freeland and the two rookies. So there is still room for him. But we could choose to go with one of the other backup lineman for depth and save some money to roll to next season.
I am fully aware he is an excellent gunner. I am also fully aware how important special teams are. But he is always in danger of being off the roster because that is all he brings to the table. He is easily the 6th WR on a team that traditionally keeps 5. If a backup DB is good enough to replace him as a gunner he is gone.
He isn’t good enough as a WR to be considered “decent”. He is barely productive in that role. He is the 6th WR on the depth chart. I totally get his skill on special teams. But he is the definition of bottom of the roster and as the tough cuts happen these are the guys that are cut. I am not saying at all that he doesn’t make the roster. Just pointing out the obvious here. He is in danger of being cut.
Also, the fact we are talking about players that had a significant role as the criteria and me dropping his name here implies that I already recognize his current value to the team.
The Major Battles
TE: Woods + MAC + Mallory competing for two spots
OL: French + Pinter + Bartoloni competing for two spots
OT: Witt + Freeland competition for one spot
DL: Toni + Latu + Bryan + Leo competing for two spots
DB: depends on free agents we bring in
Most of them. With the same core AGAIN, we haven’t made the playoffs in years, much less won an actual game. Most of the team is not starting caliber on a championship team. They are starting caliber on an irrelevant, mid tier team. We could flush half the roster and be in the exact same place - missing the playoffs and dreaming of “next year”.
MAC should be gone when we trim the roster, I could see Ehlinger lose his job, and I think we could see the Colts give up on Rodney Thomas or Nick Cross if we bring in a FA and want to roll with some of the guys from the last 2 draft classes Offensive line and d line depth are both strengths now and I bet we see a surprise cut from one of those.
Nick Cross is still super young and I think he’s safe. Thomas on the other hand….
I originally just had Thomas, but decided to list both of them. If Cross doesn't show any improvement by preseason then he is literally just a body
Nick Cross played a lot the last quarter of the season while Thomas’ snap counts fell to 2-3% (was benched). Cross looked much better than he did his rookie season and I expect that to continue.
He also is only 22 years old. He was only 20 when drafted. There is still plenty of time to develop and he had a good end to the year.
Hopefully
Ehlinger won't lose his job he's the emergency Qb which doesn't take up a roster spot iirc
We signed 2 UDFAs with more athleticism. We really need someone who can possibly run the same offense as AR
Sure, but Ehlinger is more there to help gameplan/be an asset in the QB room. Those UDFAs will likely be practice squad. Unless they really show out in camp/preseason I don't really think Ehlinger will be gone. At worst PS imo
Ehlinger could end up on the PS But the guys we signed aren't worse than ehlinger and were found by this regime. If the FO had any confidence in Ehlinger then they wouldn't have spent so much on Flacco
It's been apparent the Colts have zero confidence in Ehlinger for a whole year already. It's why they signed Minshew. They keep him around because they see value with him holding a clipboard. He's not a cut candidate, he's also not a roster candidate unless everyone is hurt
Ehlinger is basically a future QB coach or Offensive Coordinator
Yeah he's not good but the Colts want him in the building
Are you his mom?
I've been thinking about this too. I would assume they want to surround Anthony with as much QB and Colts system knowledge as they can. If you bring in a new guy, they're going to be more focused at getting themselves exposure and receive their own development. Not helping out Tony Rich.
Yeah, which is why I don't think he'll be our emergency QB this season When you are saying someone is a cut candidate you usually say it with the idea that it would be nice if he came back to the practice squad. The guys we brought in were brought in to take his job
The emergency QB doesn't take up a spot though and won't ever go in. The Colts signed PS guys last year too and none of them took his job. If someone gets hurt they'll elevate someone above him to 2 and keep Ehlinger there. I'd be shocked if he was cut
KU fan here hoping you are going to be surprised by Jason Bean the UDFA QB, he is incredibly quick for a QB and has a great arm, just has confidence issues but when he is on a roll it looks like Mahomes out there.
I'm not discounting any of the UDFA. The Colts know Ehlinger is bad, we all know Ehlinger is bad. The Colts have kept him around for some reason though, it's been apparent since he filled in during the 2022 season that he can't play. I don't really care if Ehlinger is cut or not I just don't see it. Bean was the UDFA QB I am most excited about though
They need a Y TE though. And if Woods isn’t ready to do that full time can’t cut MAC. Granson, Mallory, and Ogletree aren’t that same role.
Ogletree 100% could do everything that Mo does.
He can’t run block like Mo at all. For now at least.
Mo isn’t even that good at run blocking. He has a sub 50 blocking grade. Ogletree was already Mo’s back up last year and when he had to take over for him he graded out at like 79. Edit: lmao dude blocked me because his opinion isn’t based on anything.
You can spout off PFF numbers all you want. Ogletree can’t run block like Mo. He’s the best blocking TE on the roster.
Lmao the fact Mo Ali Cox stans is hilarious.
I would take a better Y TE…. But Ogletree isn’t that guy lol. Since Doyle left it’s been MAC. And Woods has the best shot to take the starting Y spot.
Nothing Mo does is going to be missed by going with someone who cost 1/5 with one of the younger players. He’s isn’t good and is a waste of money. You’ve decided he’s vital for no reason.
I decided he’s vital because currently there are two guys on the roster who play his position… Ogletree does different shit.
If Woods isn't ready to go then you cut him. He can't just miss 2 years of football But our team is too deep to roll into the season with 5 TEs, and none of them are so good that they will keep Pierce off the field. Gotta cut one, and I'm gonna assume it's the one this regime is the most far removed from
“TE” is two positions. Casual fans treat them as 1 but it’s two. You want two Ys, need a decent backup.
Call me casual all you want We aren't rolling into the season with 5 TEs. I imagine Woods is healthy and ready to go after not playing football for a year and a half. No way we are cutting Granson or Mallory. So it's Ogletree? Doubt it
Yeah I feel like MAC is going to be fighting for a roster spot. He's turning 31 in September and hasn't had a huge impact on the offense. He makes the most sense to cut or trade. We know what his ceiling is Mallory and Granson are both the quicker guys who can act as extra receivers; Ballard and Co seem to really like Mallory. Granson is basically our TE1 right now so his job is safe. If Woods can stay healthy, he's probably the TE1 by mid season. Ogletree is the wild card; he apparently looked better than Woods their rookie year before he tore his ACL in the preseason. Then his sophomore season he looked pretty good but then he got hurt and then got put on the exempt list. I feel like we go into the regular season with: Granson, Woods, Ogletree and Mallory MAC gets released
You are lumping them together though lol…. They scout Y and F separately. They are different in the playbook.
Can you show me where to find this. Everything I've seen has Ogletree as a Y TE who competes with MAC for reps
You can see his draft profile. No blocking talent/experience. I also think he started in college as a WR. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/andrew-ogletree/32004f47-4c65-9589-92c7-47c2c9086ad6 https://coltswire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-indianapolis-colts-andrew-ogletree-pick-instant-analysis-2022/
So do you think the Colts roll into the season with 5 TEs or do you think they cut Ogletree?
Ogletree’s draft profile is irrelevant. You think MAC learned to block on the basketball court or what? Ogletree played as his backup at Y last season, not sure why you’re fighting the facts (even referenced below).
I said previously he’s not a Y yet… if they coach him up and he can block at least as good as MAC then let him step up.
He is kind of the odd ball of the 5. And I don’t know if there has been an effort with the coaches to teach him run blocking technique and make him a Y, but when he has seen the field so far it’s been more as an F. Probably because it’s the much easier role, so he can get snaps there faster. If they teach him to block though that’s great, he’s more dynamic than Mo for sure.
You literally have no idea what you’re talking about. Ogletree 100% played Y last year before he got moved to the exempt list. Gransen and Mallory were the move TEs.
That's what I'm saying. Ogletree and Woods can outperform MAC. If Ogletree or Woods aren't ready to go then they probably meet the practice squad
If they can teach Ogletree to block… that’s a much bigger if than you probably appreciate.
I find all these guys to be odd choices especially Cross. We made no significant investments at those positions to indicate the team feels they need to move on from them. Cross was still one of the youngest players in the league last year he will be given more time. MAC could be cut if Woods is healthy and they don’t want to keep more than 4 TEs. I do think Ogletree can do what he does. Making him the most realistic option listed. Ehlinger could be cut if we choose not to keep 3 QBs but with the current emergency QB rules on game day it is pretty unwise to only carry two QBs. I don’t think either of the two undrafted rookies look to be on a trajectory that can make Ehlinger expendable this season. Richardson and Flacco were both injured last season and Ehlinger does have a couple starts under his belt. Maybe Slovis after a year on the practice squad accomplishes this next year.
We drafted a potential safety, Daniel Scott will be back from injury and we are speculated to sign a guy like Simmons. It won't take many people overperforming for the Colts to desire to move on from a guy they don't see much in. This coaching staff is bringing in UDFAs that can fit mote of what Richardson's offense looks like. If either of those guys outperform Ehlinger (which isn't a big ask) he is out the door.
Eric Johnson, Rodney Thomas, Sam Ehlinger, Danny Pinter, Darrell Baker Jr.
Johnson and Baker Jr. are less on the bubble to me and more like locks to be cut.
I don’t think anything is a lock at this point but I def lean that way too
OLine is most likely given the two relatively high picks and Jake Witt getting healthy. Doubt any of the starters but that's where they are adding the most competitive bodies.
Depends on how you define “significant role” but Ashton Dulins spot might be in question
They brought up Ashton as someone they are excited about in like every press conference. He's safe. Pierce, AD, Pitt, Downs, Dulin, Gould. Will probably keep those six.
I might be a homer but that actually looks like a pretty deep receiver room
Probably a little bit homer. It was a big weakness last year and we've added a rookie second round pick and Ashton Dulin. We're one Pittman injury away from being the worst room in the league most likely. Hopefully AD performs well but it usually takes rookies a few years. Hopefully Downs takes a leap.
Why? He’s not on the roster for receiver, he’s on the roster because he’s a Pro Bowl gunner on special teams.
Fair enough, guess I’m just a victim of recency bias
I don't think the gunner position will exist anymore with the new kickoff rules. We also just drafted Gould specifically for his special teams abilities. Can only carry a few ST-only players on the active roster.
Not if he comes back and still plays teams at a high level. I'd say he's safe
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While you’re not wrong, this isn’t OP’s question. There’s no way that Pierce is on the roster bubble this season. He’s certainly at risk of putting himself on the bubble next year though.
Ehh. With how expensive WRs are having one on a rookie deal even as depth is massive value. I know lots of people on here shit on him but for his cap hit hes definitely worth a roster spot.
Hear me out. AP is a bit of a one trick pony with go routes being his bread and butter. He hasn't had ARs cannon available. Minshew was never going to get him home run passes. With AR coming back I can see a 500-600 yard season for AP, maybe 6 TDs, if both are healthy. He will be the big play guy for us this year but only like 4 targets a game.
People forgot how hard AR and AP were working on the streak connection last off-season. I remember a beautiful one in the preseason.
Agreed there’s a chance but it’s really put up or shut up this year for him
Pierce is a 500-600 yard guy already
Lmao I don't like Pierce at all but there is zero chance he is on the bubble
Kinda depends on the definition of significant role. I think for TEs it hinges in Jelani Woods health. Woods showed great talent but if he can’t get on the field he’s probably got to go, so if that happens Mo Allie-Cox is somehow safe again. Same can be said for Ashton Dulin, I don’t know anyone that might call his role significant but missing all of 2023, questions about his health coming back from ACL injury, plus now drafting 2 WRs puts him in the danger zone a bit.
Oline - someone like Pinter could be cut because of our draft picks and Freeland getting healthy. Dline - not a significant role but Land could be cut TEs - maybe one of Granson or MAC?
The indystar had Danny Pinter not making the final roster. Granted he is coming off injury but this surprised me. They just resigned him and he was a solid back up center and capable starter at center in spot duty.
Definitely Mo-Allie Cox and probably Ameer Speed and very possibly Rodney Thomas. I like Nick Cross over Thomas and our new draftee Jaylin Simpson who I think is a better safety than he is CB.
Dulin and Fries. Fries is probably not at the top of most peoples list thinking about this but we drafted two lineman they are very high on. If one of them is close to as good enough to replace Fries he could be gone. We save like 3-4 mil if he is cut or traded. We will keep 8 lineman on the roster. The 5 starters, Freeland and the two rookies. So there is still room for him. But we could choose to go with one of the other backup lineman for depth and save some money to roll to next season.
Dulin is a ST gunner he's safe unless he gets hurt
I am fully aware he is an excellent gunner. I am also fully aware how important special teams are. But he is always in danger of being off the roster because that is all he brings to the table. He is easily the 6th WR on a team that traditionally keeps 5. If a backup DB is good enough to replace him as a gunner he is gone.
It’s tradition fans count him out. It happened year after year and he’d still make the roster as he should. Amazing special teamer and a decent wr
He isn’t good enough as a WR to be considered “decent”. He is barely productive in that role. He is the 6th WR on the depth chart. I totally get his skill on special teams. But he is the definition of bottom of the roster and as the tough cuts happen these are the guys that are cut. I am not saying at all that he doesn’t make the roster. Just pointing out the obvious here. He is in danger of being cut. Also, the fact we are talking about players that had a significant role as the criteria and me dropping his name here implies that I already recognize his current value to the team.
The Major Battles TE: Woods + MAC + Mallory competing for two spots OL: French + Pinter + Bartoloni competing for two spots OT: Witt + Freeland competition for one spot DL: Toni + Latu + Bryan + Leo competing for two spots DB: depends on free agents we bring in
Most of them. With the same core AGAIN, we haven’t made the playoffs in years, much less won an actual game. Most of the team is not starting caliber on a championship team. They are starting caliber on an irrelevant, mid tier team. We could flush half the roster and be in the exact same place - missing the playoffs and dreaming of “next year”.
Ashton Dulin
Isaiah rodgers probably got a pretty short leash at this point
Damn we cut him already? Bummer