Previewing Colts' Offensive Depth Chart Heading into 2023 Season

With so many new additions to the roster, the Indianapolis Colts depth chart will be looking much different from last year for the offense.

It's a new era of football for the Indianapolis Colts after a re-tooling of the roster and coaching staff.

For the offense, it was a much-needed switch from the crater that was the 2022 season. Now, with different styles and skill sets at important positions, it will be an offensive roster featuring new names, young talents, and the potential to be a potent attack for years to come.

With that covered, it's time to give breakdowns of each offensive position and how the depth chart looks going into what will be a pivotal training camp in the history of the Colts and the Shane Steichen era. The starters at each position group will be marked with an asterisk (*).

Let's begin with the field generals.

Quarterback: Gardner Minshew*, Anthony Richardson (Rookie), Sam Ehlinger

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To some, this one could come as a bit of a surprise. However, having Gardner Minshew as the current starter makes sense until it’s confirmed that Anthony Richardson is 100% the day-one signal-caller.

Minshew is likely better right now than any one of the three QBs Indianapolis played last season. This is valuable for the man behind him in Richardson. While it's likely Richardson will eventually start, maybe there's a chance that Steichen wants Richardson to learn from a vet he trusts. 

Richardson was drafted by the Colts fourth overall in the 2023 draft to be their long-term solution to the franchise QB issue they’ve been having post-Andrew Luck. With a ceiling for a quarterback not seen in recent memory, it’s enticing to think what Steichen can do with him given his QB track record. 

As for Sam Ehlinger, his inclusion is likely due to the new NFL rule that teams can now possess an emergency third QB from their active or inactive lists. 

Running Back: Jonathan Taylor*, Zack Moss, Deon Jackson, Evan Hull (Rookie), Jake Funk

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No surprises here for Jonathan Taylor as the lead thoroughbred. After a year full of obstacles in 2022, including an ankle injury, Taylor is ready to bounce back. The former NFL rushing king looks to build off of a down season where he only reached 861 rushing yards and four scores.

Zack Moss did well filling in for the aforementioned Taylor when he was out. After being traded mid-season to Indy from the Buffalo Bills, Moss seemed to find his rhythm with more carries in a bit of an increased role.

Deon Jackson showed his worth during a tough season. Like Moss, he filled in for Taylor and showed flashes of why Indianapolis gives him a roster spot. He did showcase his greatest strengths as a receiving back.

Finally, there's rookie Evan Hull. The Colts felt like Hull was special, so they picked him at the 176th overall spot in the 2023 NFL Draft. With an impressive showing as a receiving back during his time at Northwestern, look for this new offense to utilize him as they did with former back Nyheim Hines.

Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman Jr.*, Alec Pierce*, Josh Downs (Rookie)*, Isaiah McKenzie, Ashton Dulin, Breshad Perriman, Mike Strachan, Zavier Scott (Rookie), Vyncint Smith, Malik Turner, Juwann Winfree, Ethan Fernea, Johnny King (Rookie), Kody Case (Rookie)

Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Pittman Jr. has been in the headlines for contract extensions and WR1 discussions. However, he's been the go-to man for the last two seasons in the passing game. With four different starting QBs in 2021 and 2022, Pittman has still logged 187 catches for 2,007 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches. 

Behind Pittman is second-year receiver Alec Pierce. Pierce didn’t get to truly shine with so much changing nearly every few weeks at QB. But, in a vertical passing scheme like the Colts will have it could greatly benefit him, leading to a potentially explosive season from Pierce.

There’s also rookie Josh Downs from North Carolina. Downs had an impressive 202 receptions, 2,483 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns in three seasons with the Tarheels. For only being 5'9", he has an insane catch radius and efficiency with grabbing throws.

Similar to the role of Downs, Isaiah McKenzie comes with more experience. After a career year in Buffalo, Mckenzie will look to continue to grow in a new offense after the Colts signed him in the 2023 off-season.

Lastly is Ashton Dulin. Dulin isn't the receiving threat the other names listed before him are, but he is of the highest value for special teams with 36 career tackles.

Tight End: Jelani Woods*, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Will Mallory (Rookie), Andrew Ogletree, Kaden Smith, Pharaoh Brown

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Jelani Woods was taken in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia. While it wasn’t a massive year for Woods statistically, he showed glimpses of true star power. Standing at a gargantuan 6’7” and weighing 265 pounds, Woods could be a matchup nightmare for defenders in the red zone. 

Kylen Granson is more of the “move" tight end. He has been a Colt for two seasons and has 42 catches for 408 yards. Can Steichen bring out the best in Granson? We’ll see.

Then there’s the veteran of the tight ends, Mo Alie-Cox. He’s walking into his sixth season as a Colts mainstay and was handed a nice three-year, $17.5 million contract in 2022; which up to now hasn’t been warranted. Alie-Cox will look to show out in 2023. 

Finally, there’s Will Mallory out of Miami. He was the fastest tight end with a blistering 4.54 40-yard dash. He’s also an effective blocker and showed it with the Hurricanes. This is one of the more interesting adds to the roster. 

Tackle: Bernhard Raimann*, Braden Smith*, Blake Freeland (Rookie), Jake Witt (Rookie), Carter O’Donnell, Jordan Murray, Matthew Vanderslice

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Second-year left tackle Bernhard Raimann was drafted in the third round out of Central Michigan in the 2022 NFL Draft. He would be thrust into the starting role mid-season and never looked back. While he initially showed issues with strength, he would come to use his athleticism to shore those up, becoming one of the better blockers for the team during the 2022 campaign. 

On the opposite side is Braden Smith, who has been in Indianapolis his entire five-year career. Since 2018, Smith has been a great blocker and, like Raimann, was one of the best for the Colts during a slump 2022 campaign.

One player that some were shocked about the Colts drafting in 2023 was Blake Freeland from BYU. However, given Freeland’s incredible athleticism (similar to Raimann) he could be a swing tackle who will be a nice depth piece to have ready to go for either side.

Interior (Guard and Center): Quenton Nelson*, Ryan Kelly*, Will Fries*, Emil Ekiyor (Rookie - G), Arlington Hambright (G), Danny Pinter (G/C), Wesley French (C), Dakoda Shepley (C)

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest name on the o-line, Quenton Nelson is also a five-time Pro-Bowler in as many seasons in the NFL. For him, last year was one to forget with the team notching only four wins. A lot of the blame went to him and the rest of the offensive line for not protecting Taylor on runs or QBs in the pocket. However, with a more mobile passer to be under center and Taylor looking to rebound, Nelson will likely be driven to also follow suit. 

To Nelson’s right is center Ryan Kelly. Kelly has been on the team longer than anybody on the offensive line. Going into his eighth season as a Colt, the three-time Pro Bowler joined Nelson in the down year for the protection. Kelly looked overwhelmed at times, but there was a lot of uncertainty in multiple spots around him. This could have been a factor as much as anything.

For the right guard, it’s Will Fries. Fries was taken in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Penn State in the seventh round. While he didn’t get too much live game experience in his rookie season, he was the player who settled in most at right guard. Fries showed brief snippets of true power in the running game but struggled badly in pass protection, which he’ll look to improve. 

Finally is Fries’ competition, Emil Ekiyor. After health concerns led to him not being picked up in any of the seven rounds, the Colts swooped in like lightning to put him on the roster. It’s looking more and more like the right guard position will come down to Fries and Ekiyor. 

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