One key player to watch from each position at Colts training camp

The veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts report next week on July 24 for training camp with the first practice coming on July 25.

There are a lot of familiar faces returning for the Colts this season, but the rookie class does provide some fresh faces to keep an eye on.

Some players will be looking to bounce back from injuries. Others will be looking to prove themselves after a down season. Some are veterans fending off a rookie for a starting role.

Here is one player for each position group to watch throughout training camp:

Players to watch at Colts training camp

QB Anthony Richardson

It won’t be a surprise when all eyes are on Richardson at training camp. There was a little scare when AR was held out of the last day of OTAs, but Chris Ballard did confirm that his franchise quarterback is a full-go for training camp. Outside of monitoring his shoulder, where Richardson is at with his development and chemistry with his receivers is something to watch.

RB Evan Hull

Some skeptics doubt the backup running back situation for the Colts with no proven option behind Jonathan Taylor. Based on OTAs, Trey Sermon appears to enter training camp as the lead dog in the competition, but Hull will have an opportunity to earn the RB2 spot after getting his rookie season cut short due to a knee injury .

Hull’s receiving ability can help him make his case and should be displayed this preseason.

WR Adonai Mitchell

The biggest training camp battle on the offensive side of the ball will come between Mitchell and Alec Pierce for the starting X-receiver spot. What should stand out from the rookie receiver is his route running ability and being a threat in red zone opportunities.

TE Jelani Woods

The return of Woods gives the Colts a potential playmaker from the tight end position. After missing his entire second season due to hamstring injuries, he will be looking to prove his health issues are behind him in order to make an impact in Year 3.

OT Braden Smith

Smith did not practice during OTAs and minicamp during the spring due to surgery that he had on his left knee. Seeing him out on the field to kick off training camp will be a welcomed sight as he's an important piece to the offense’s success in 2024.

IOL Tanor Bortolini

An under-the-radar training camp battle will be for the backup center role. Bortolini, the team's fourth-round pick, will compete with Wesley French and Danny Pinter for that spot on the depth chart. He offers the versatility to play guard as well so it will be interesting to see if he gets reps at both positions or primarily as a center.

EDGE Laiatu Latu

Outside of Anthony Richardson, Latu is the most intriguing player to watch during training camp. He enters a deep position group for the Colts and is not guaranteed a starting job despite being a first-round pick. Latu should make an impact for the defense but will have to battle with Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Dayo Odeyingbo for snaps this season.

DT Adetomiwa Adebawore

Adebawore spent his rookie season as a small piece of the rotation playing 19% of the defensive snaps. In his limited time on the field, he finished with five tackles, a TFL, four QB hits, four pressures, two QB knockdowns, and one-and-a-half sacks. He has a chance to win the backup 3-tech role to DeForect Buckner in training camp.

LB Jaylon Carlies

The under-the-radar training camp battle on the defensive side of the ball is the LB3 spot on the depth chart. Carlies is making a position switch to linebacker after playing as a safety in college. He impressed during OTAs, now we will see if that will translate for the rookie when the pads come on.

CB JuJu Brents

Chris Ballard is betting on a group of young corners after passing on signing a veteran this offseason. The player the defense needs to make a jump in Year 2 is Brents. He flashed the ability to be a top corner on the depth chart but he also joins a list of Colts players who have to show his health issues are behind him during training camp.

S Nick Cross

Year 3 is make-or-break for Cross. It was two years ago he impressed during training camp enough that he got the opening day start as a rookie but has since had to work his way back up the depth chart following his struggles to begin his career. Cross will have to impress quickly otherwise the noise to sign a veteran safety will get louder.