Projecting the Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster before training camp

The Indianapolis Colts officially report to training camp Wednesday at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

Most of the position battles will be determined throughout training camp and the preseason, but we have a pretty good idea of what the roster will look like going into the month of August.

The majority of starting roles are already locked up with the exception of a few at wide receiver, safety and cornerback.

Though most of the decisions will be made throughout training camp and the preseason, it's time to take a look at projecting the 53-man roster before August arrives.

Rookies are marked in italics.

Colts' 53-man roster projection

Quarterback (2)

Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco

Analysis: With Richardson healthy, the Colts only need to carry two quarterbacks on the active roster. The battle for the QB3 spot will result in a spot on the practice squad as the emergency quarterback on game days.

MORE: Anthony Richardson a 'full go' for training camp

Running Back (4)

Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson

Analysis: This will be Taylor's backfield while the rest of the group battles for the second and third depth chart spots. Sermon is the RB2 coming out of minicamp while the RB3 role is a toss-up between Hull and Goodson. There's a chance the Colts simply keep all four on the roster.

Wide Receiver (6)

Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell , Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould

Analysis: There's not much room for anyone else assuming the Colts keep six wideouts. Pierce is listed and Mitchell will battle it out for the starting role at X-receiver, but it's likely to be a timeshare to begin the season.

MORE: Biggest standouts from Colts minicamp

Tight End (4)

Kylen Granson, Jelani Woods, Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory

Analysis: The only big surprise here is Mo Alie-Cox being cut. He's stalled out in his development as a receiving option, and all four tight ends provide more upside in that area. If he isn't making a difference as a blocker, he could see himself on the outside looking in.

Offensive Line (9)

Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Braden Smith, Blake Freeland, Matt Goncalves , Tanor Bortolini , Josh Sills

Analysis: The starting five is set and the depth roles for Freeland, Goncalves and Bortolini are likely safe as well. Sills gets the nod over Danny Pinter for the final spot, but that battle could go either way.

Defensive Line (9)

Samson Ebukam, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo, Laiatu Latu , Tyquan Lewis, Raekwon Davis, Adetomiwa Adebawore

Analysis: This is the strongest position group on the entire roster. Almost all of these spots are locked in outside of a battle between Adebawore, seventh-round pick Jonah Laulu and veteran Taven Bryan.

MORE: Colts DT duo among best in NFL

Linebacker (6)

Zaire Franklin, E.J. Speed, Jaylon Carlies , Isaiah Land, Grant Stuard, Segun Olubi

Analysis: The starting tandem is set while the third spot is wide open. The rookie in Carlies has a chance to earn the role , and he has the highest upside in the room. Olubi is nice depth behind Franklin while Land and Stuard provide special teams contributions. Undrafted free agent rookie Craig Young is a player to watch as well.

Cornerback (6)

Julius Brents, Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Jaylin Simpson , Micah Abraham

Analysis: Coming out of minicamp, Jones has the inside track to be the starting boundary cornerback opposite Brents while Moore works in the slot. Simpson has safety-corner versatility but it seems the Colts want him at nickel to begin. Flowers is a depth piece on the outside and will compete with Jones while Abraham gets the final spot over Darrell Baker Jr.

Safety (4)

Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Trevor Denbow

The final spot in the room was likely going to Daniel Scott before he tragically suffered another season-ending injury during the offseason. Unless the Colts make a veteran signing, this room seems pretty straightforward.

Specialists (3)

Matt Gay, Rigoberto Sanchez, Luke Rhodes