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10 Thoughts After Colts Mandatory Minicamp
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- 10 Thoughts After Colts Mandatory Minicamp
(Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)
Indianapolis Colts HC Shane Steichen gave injury updates for Daniel Jones , Alec Pierce , DeForest Buckner , and Jalen Travis during mandatory minicamp. (video via Jake Arthur/ColtsRoundtable)
The Indianapolis Colts have several new faces added this offseason, as well as some welcomed returns from players who dealt with injuries last year.
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The team just finished its mandatory three-day minicamp, completing their offseason program. Next up is training camp in six weeks.
Here are some significant takeaways from minicamp.
Daniel Jones is Going to Be Fine
One of the biggest questions facing the Colts is the health and readiness of quarterback Daniel Jones for Week 1 of the regular season after Achilles surgery in December. However, he's been participating in offseason workouts for several weeks now, upgrading to 7-on-7s over the last couple of weeks. Head coach Shane Steichen said this week that while Jones is physically capable of participating in 11-on-11s right now, they're being "super smart" with him and won't put that on his plate until training camp in late July. At this point, it's hard to imagine Jones not being ready for Week 1 in early September.
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Anthony Richardson Sr. Could Spark His Trade Value
When the offseason began, no one externally knew when Anthony Richardson Sr. would be fully cleared to play football following a serious eye injury that ended his 2025 season. While Richardson requested a trade in February, nothing has come to fruition yet. He's back with the Colts for now, fully participating and sharing some first-team reps with Riley Leonard until Jones is 100%. If other teams see that Richardson is healthy and playing reasonably well during training camp and the preseason, it could entice a team to offer the Colts something they deem worthy of a trade.
The Depth Behind Jonathan Taylor is Encouraging
Last year, the Colts drafted running back DJ Giddens in the fifth round to back up Jonathan Taylor. However, there were some growing pains, and without Giddens playing special teams, he became a common healthy scratch on game days, active for just nine games. The Colts needed to lean on veterans Tyler Goodson and Ameer Abdullah to provide depth behind Taylor. This offseason, Giddens looks much more comfortable and decisive, and rookie seventh-round pick Seth McGowan is running with 100% effort. No one can compare with Taylor, but if either Giddens or McGowan proves capable in pass protection and/or on special teams, the Colts might already have a real backup on the roster.
READ MORE: Colts' Alec Pierce Talks Ankle Surgery, Timeline for Return
WR3 is Ashton Dulin 's Job to Lose
Alec Pierce has been out this offseason recovering from March ankle surgery, which has given all participants in the team's WR3 battle more opportunity to prove themselves. Between Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine , Laquon Treadwell , and Deion Burks , Dulin has easily stood out the most. He's seen the most reps, targets, and the most meaningful action in key areas of the field. He's responded well, catching a few touchdowns from Jones during 7-on-7s throughout the week of minicamp. If the Colts don't sign a free agent (which is still on the table), it appears Dulin will finally get his shot at a consistent offensive role.
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There's Still Valid Concern Over the Other Starting Edge
Opposite of Laiatu Latu , free-agent newcomer Arden Key has received the lion's share of the first-team reps at end. The Colts should play the best player, but it's in their best interest if that player turns out to be Jaylahn Tuimoloau, who they drafted in the second round last year. Tuimoloau only played 215 defensive snaps last year, so there was deserved skepticism whether he could earn the role. However, Key has rarely been counted on to be a starter in eight years, has a single-season career high of 6.5 sacks, and has not been much of a run defender. If the Colts feel Key is their best option, then either he's about to unlock a new level to his game, or the Colts' options are simply underwhelming.
Linebacker May Be More Competitive Than We Thought
We can most confidently say that rookie CJ Allen will be the team's starting MIKE, and Hunter Wohler will have some sort of occasional role at linebacker, but who will start next to Allen at WILL is a toss-up. Logical thinking says it's veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither . However, Bryce Boettcher was drafted with plenty of internal fanfare and has been impressive throughout the offseason. The Colts have given first-team reps to Allen, Boettcher, Davis-Gaither, and Jaylon Carlies this week, so this competition and the linebacker pecking order overall will be a must-watch throughout training camp.
READ MORE: Colts Minicamp Notes, Day 3: Jones, Warren Connect for Long TD
Johnathan Edwards Appears Ready for Next Opportunity
Johnathan Edwards was thrust into action as an undrafted rookie last year, playing over 300 snaps. While he exceeded the expectations of a UDFA, he had plenty of room to grow. One area was that, despite sticky coverage, his ball awareness was an issue. Receivers were often able to make receptions with Edwards in coverage simply because he wasn't tracking the ball. With Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward Sr. in and out of the lineup during OTAs and minicamp, Edwards has seen a ton of action and has had several pass breakups in media-open practices. If Edwards is forced into action again in 2026, he may be a much-improved version of his rookie self.
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Secondary Will Be Versatile, Exotic, If Healthy
At full strength and health, there aren't many defensive backfields in the NFL that can compete with the Colts'. Gardner and Ward are a formidable duo, and expectations for young DBs Justin Walley , A.J. Haulcy, and Hunter Wohler are high, while Cam Bynum is coming off a career year. Walley and Wohler spent their entire rookie years injured last year, but are healthy and performing at a high level this offseason. Haulcy is also doing well on the field, but is capturing his coaches' attention mostly with his work habits off the field.
A Leader In the Kicking Battle?
The media saw Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe kick for the first time this offseason since their competition began. They each kicked five field goals from increasing distances on Thursday, with Grupe hitting all five and Shrader missing two attempts.
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Free-Agent Additions Already at Risk?
The Colts have brought in multiple veteran free agents this offseason who may face a tough challenge to make the regular-season roster. Receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is one of them. The team likely won't carry any more than six receivers, and Pierce, Dulin, Josh Downs , and either Anthony Gould or Deion Burks are essentially shoo-ins. The team is also very high on Laquon Treadwell, which means at least one of these players may be on the outs come September. Likewise, defensive end Micheal Clemons is part of a crowded group that now includes Latu, Key, Tuimoloau, and rookies George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry. Financially, it doesn't make sense to cut Clemons this year, but that doesn't mean he'll get much playing time. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and safeties Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas are in similar situations.
