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The Indianapolis Colts are set to start their 2022 season, and they released their first official depth chart earlier this week.
Subsequently, they also just released their first injury report. Star linebacker Shaquille Leonard has been ruled out for Week 1, and possibly Week 2 in Jacksonville. There aren’t a lot of surprises on the depth chart, but there are some interesting ones.
So, let’s get to the key takeaways from the Colts’ first official depth chart for 2022.
Brandon Facyson will have to fight to keep starting corner spot
Brandon Facyson is one of Indianapolis' offseason acquisitions. He was competing against Isaiah Rodgers and Kenny Moore to earn a starting cornerback spot. This comes as a bit of a surprise as Rodgers looked like he might be a starter following his stellar play last season. Then there’s Moore, who said this off-season he wants a new contract and a raise as he’s one of the top slot corners in the NFL.
In the NFL, slot corners don’t get paid top money, which prompted Moore to say he can play as an outside corner. Colts fans have seen him play well near the boundary, yet he continues to impress more in the slot than on the outside.
An opportunity to prove himself, Facyson will be starting opposite Stephon Gilmore. If Facyson should falter, perhaps Moore will get a shot. For now, the secondary looks mighty tough.
Indianapolis Colts enter 2022 with a deep safety core
Rookie safety Nick Cross was in a highly contested position battle with veteran Rodney McLeod. Both players are new to the Colts, and both players had an outstanding camp and preseason. In the end, the rookie won out. He’ll be starting next to former rookie stud safety Julian Blackmon. Regardless of who’s starting, however, this trio projects to be one of the strongest in the NFL.
Alec Pierce rises to be Michael Pittman Jr.’s wingman
Colts fans have long been complaining that the team needs more help at the wide receiver position. General manager Chris Ballard’s prior message had been that the team very much likes the group of wide receivers it already has on the roster. Last season, only Michael Pittman Jr. cleared more than 400 yards. Apparently, that was the final straw, as the team drafted wide receiver Alec Pierce out of Cincinnati. The hope has always been that he will be able to fill the void at the wide receiver position opposite of Pittman.
It’s not every year that a rookie wide receiver comes along and has a season like Ja'Marr Chase did last season. With that being said, it’s possible he has a tremendous rookie year. Possibly, even besting Bill Brooks’ record for most receiving yards by a rookie wide receiver, which is 1,311 yards.
More must-reads:
- Colts star LB Shaquille Leonard won't play Week 1
- Another new QB, familiar foe: Colts open against Texans
- The '4,000 passing yards just once' quiz
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