Position battles to watch in Colts training camp

The Indianapolis Colts were one of the least-active teams during free agency, keeping their roster from last season mostly intact. However, there could be some stiff competition for a few spots in 2024.

Here are three key positions battles to watch when training camp opens on July 24.

Cornerback

Projected starters: Kenny Moore III, Jaylon Jones

Players to watch: Julius Brents, Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker 

Moore III and Jones had the most coverage snaps at the position last season, per Pro Football Focus, but Brents, Flowers and Baker shouldn’t be counted out just yet. Brents took the most first-team reps during minicamp, and he started to see an uptick in coverage snaps the more he played. As a second-round pick, the expectation is for him to be a key contributor and play a lot of snaps.

But also keep in mind that Flowers started four games in 2023 before an Achilles injury ended his season, and he allowed the second-fewest yards per reception (10.5) among Colts CBs before his injury. Had he stayed healthy, Flowers likely would’ve been the starter all season. 

Baker is also a dark-horse contender. He allowed a completion percentage of just 58 with eight forced incompletions and seven pass breakups.

Wide receiver

Projected starter: Michael Pittman Jr.

Players to watch: Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce

Pittman Jr. was rewarded for his breakout season (109 receptions, 1,152 yards, four touchdowns) with a nice three-year contract. Now the question is who plays Robin to his Batman?

Pierce started last season as the No. 2 guy, but was quickly passed up by Downs, who emerged as a serious target machine midway through the season. Downs finished with 68 catches on 98 targets, but that was when he was catching passes from Gardner Minshew.

With Anthony Richardson taking over, will he and Downs have the same rapport or will he hit it off with Mitchell, who’s highly motivated to prove 31 other teams wrong for passing on him in the draft. Pierce, who saw his catches, targets and yards take a dip in 2023, has some serious work to do to make up ground in this race.

Tight end

Projected starter: Kylen Granson

Player to watch: Will Mallory, Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox

The Colts’ tight-end situation is a mess, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear solution. Granson is the projected starter solely based on last year’s production. But, again, that was when Minshew was throwing passes, and nobody really knows which TE will have the best dynamic with Richardson.

Indy did emphasize getting Woods more involved after the season ended. Mallory may have the best hands out of the entire group, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he set himself apart as a safety net for Richardson.

Alie-Cox has been rumored to be on the chopping block for two seasons now, and this may be the year he finally leaves the room. Ogletree is a solid depth guy, but maybe he can carve out a role for himself as a red-zone threat or third-down specialist.