Potential Waiver Wire Options to Watch for the Colts

The bottom of the Colts' roster could use some work in the upcoming days. Here are some potential waiver wire options to keep an eye on.

The Indianapolis Colts have made their initial roster cuts to get down to the 53-man roster ahead of the deadline. While these 53 players are locked onto the team at the moment, there will likely be a ton of roster shifting in the next couple of days.

Nearly 1,000 players were waived across the NFL today, and the Colts have the benefit of being fourth in waiver order until week three of the season. By noon on Wednesday, we will know which of those players will be joining the Colts through the waiver claims process.

The Colts have a weird numbers game going on at a number of positions at the moment, which includes keeping just four receivers on the active roster along with five tight ends and six defensive tackles. Those numbers, on top of the need to adjust the offensive line depth, could lead to an extremely active Wednesday for the team.

So, with all that information in mind, let's look at a few players across the league that could make a ton of sense for the Colts to claim this Wednesday at noon.

Wide Receiver (1-2 Claims Likely)

The Colts are not going to head into this upcoming season with just four receivers on the roster, so we should expect at least one (maybe two) roster moves at this position. One (or both) of these spots will primarily be for special teams, but the Colts could also be in the market to grab a high upside youngster if it makes sense.

1.) Austin Watkins Jr, Cleveland Browns

If the Colts want to add a pure receiving option to the mix, they could claim preseason standout Austin Watkins Jr. Watkins Jr (25) was an undrafted free agent in the 2021 NFL Draft. He enjoyed brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before heading out to the USFL last October. He won a Championship with the Birmingham Stallions, which opened up the door for a signing with the Cleveland Browns. 

Watkins Jr put together an outstanding preseason with the Browns, leading the league with 245 receiving yards in three games played. Standing in at 6'3" 210 pounds, Watkins Jr still has some upside in his game if the Colts wanted to add more talent to their overall room.

2.) Jacob Harris, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts could take a swing on another high upside player at receiver with waiver claims, as the Jaguars waived former fourth round pick Jacob Harris in final cutdowns. Harris, 26, was a fourth round pick of the Los Angeles Rams back in 2021. He has totaled just one catch for six yards in his NFL career, but he did haul in three receptions for 74 yards this past preseason with the Jaguars.

Harris is a massive 6'5" receiver that weighs in at 220 pounds. Despite this insanely large frame, Harris also ran a 4.39 second forty yard dash time in the pre-draft process. If the Colts are looking for a more developed version of Mike Strachan to add into the mix, Harris could be an interesting option.

3.) Britain Covey, Philadelphia Eagles

The Colts could go with a more proven special teams option in Britain Covey on waivers as well. Covey, 26, was a key special teamer and depth receiver for the Eagles during their Super Bowl run last year. He returned punts, occasionally returned kicks, and also accumulated over 100 special teams snaps.

Covey is a bit smaller than the typical Chris Ballard receiver, but Shane Steichen may pull for his former player to be claimed off of waivers. 

Defensive End (Potentially 1 Claim)

The Colts are currently sitting with just four defensive ends on the initial 53-man roster. Adetomiwa Adebawore could technically classify as a fifth option here, but the Colts have exclusively had him at defensive tackle in training camp. Adding another body off the edge makes a ton of sense for the roster at the moment. 

1.) Trevis Gipson, Chicago Bears

Pass rusher Trevis Gipson was a roster casualty this offseason as he struggled to fit in with the Bears change in scheme last year. The 2020 5th round selection has totaled 13 sacks three NFL season, and he should be one of the more sought after players on the waiver wire come Wednesday.

Gipson had a down year a season ago, but there is still some potential in the 26 year old pass rusher. He had 10 sacks back in 2021, so clearly talent isn't an issue with this pass rusher. Maybe he could be a fit in Gus Bradley's attacking front in Indianapolis?

2.) Sam Kamara, Cleveland Browns

Sam Kamara is another interesting option to watch for the Indianapolis Colts. A former UDFA out of Stony Brook back in 2021, he has developed quite nicely in his three years in the NFL. The Colts did have interest in him as a UDFA back in 2021, so maybe they could kick the tires on him with the waiver wire.

Kamara is a 6'2" 272 pound edge rusher that generated one sack and six hurries in 71 pass rushing snaps this preseason. He would be a solid young add to the Colts' DE room off of waivers tomorrow.

Offensive Line (1-3 Claims Possible)

The Colts currently have nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, but I highly doubt these are the nine players that the Colts head into the season with at the positional group. The Colts need to add more quality depth through waivers on the OL this Wednesday.

1.) Zack Bailey, Los Angeles Chargers

Zack Bailey was one of the best overall offensive linemen in the preseason this year, so it came as a bit of a shock that the Chargers elected to waive him on cutdown day. 

Bailey, 27, stands in at a towering 6'6" 300 pounds and has experience at both right guard and at right tackle. In 86 pass blocking snaps this preseason, Bailey allowed just one sack and one hurry for the Chargers.

2.) Kellen Diesch, Chicago Bears

Former undrafted free agent tackle Kellen Diesch had a solid overall preseason for the Chicago Bearss, particularly against the Colts back in week two. 

Diesch, 26, is a freak athlete at tackle that allowed just one sack a three hurries in 52 pass blocking snaps this preseason.

3.) Darian Kinnard, Kansas City Chiefs

Darian Kinnard is a massive (6'5" 322 pounds) guard that was a fifth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. 

He struggled to fully develop in his time in Kansas City, but he is a bruising run blocker with some upside in pass protection. He allowed just three hurries in 85 pass blocking snaps this preseason at right guard.

4.) Tyre Phillips, New York Giants

Former third round pick Tyre Phillips was also released today, and he is a player that brings some tackle/guard versatility. 

Phillips' biggest issue in the league has been durability, but he could slide in nicely as a swing player in Indianapolis. Current OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr also coached him this past season with the Giants.

Other Potential Names to Watch

• Michael Dunn, IOL, Cleveland Browns
• Seth Williams, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Isaiah Land, LB, Dallas Cowboys
• Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Cincinnati Bengals
• Jeffrey Gunter, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
• Quincy Roche, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Trey Sermon, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
• Jacques Patrick, RB, Tennessee Titans
• Jashaun Corbin, RB, New York Giants
• Jimmy Morrissey, IOL, Houston Texans

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