Colts vs. Broncos: 7 players with most to gain in preseason opener

The Indianapolis Colts are just about set to host the Denver Bronco s for their first preseason game of the season Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

After getting through the majority of training camp practices over the last two weeks, there has been some intense competition throughout the roster as the battle for the final spots takes place.

The preseason will help determine those final spots, giving a handful of players a certain advantage to raising their stock over the next three weeks.

It's time to take a look at six players with the most to gain in the preseason opener:

Colts with most to gain in preseason opener

RB Trey Sermon

The former third-round pick has the chance to solidify his role as the primary backup to Jonathan Taylor. It's expected that while the starters will play in the opener, Taylor will be among the players getting a veteran's rest day.

Sermon has been one of the stars of training camp through the first two weeks. He's improved his pass-catching as a change-of-pace back, and he's provided the Colts with at least one explosive run in a handful of practices. He can begin to solidify his role with a strong showing in the opener.

WR Alec Pierce

Finding himself in arguably the biggest position battle throughout the entire roster, Pierce is coming off his best day at training camp leading into the opener. The third-year wideout is battling with rookie Adonai Mitchell for the starting X-receiver role in Shane Steichen's offense.

Pierce can be a valuable downfield target for Anthony Richardson while providing a strong mentality of doing the dirty work in the run game. Mitchell might be a more electric receiver, but Pierce can keep the rookie at bay if he continues to string together strong outings.

C Tanor Bortolini

One of the more intriguing selections from the 2024 NFL Draft , Bortolini is in an intense battle for one of the depth spots along the interior offensive line. As a fourth-round pick with high upside, it's likely that Bortolini's roster spot is safe, barring a massive disaster of a preseason.

But this can be the time when Bortolini proves he can be the eventual successor to starting center Ryan Kelly, who is in the final year of his current contract. Bortolini also has spent time at the guard positions so it will be interesting to see how his versatility fits into the team's plans.

EDGE Laiatu Latu

A lot of eyes will be on the first-round pick during Sunday's opener. That was going to be the case regardless but now that Samson Ebukam is out with a torn Achilles, the rookie has a chance to earn the starting LEO role in Gus Bradley's defense.

Latu has been as advertised at camp . He shows off a relentless motor combined with a polished pass-rushing plan and consistent burst from the edge. The Colts have high hopes for the first-round pick, and he can solidify a starting role with a strong preseason.

DT Adetomiwa Adebawore

After a quiet rookie season, Adebawore is in the middle of the battle for the backup role behind DeForest Buckner at the three-technique. While Dayo Odeyingbo is also in that mix, the Colts may need him more on the edge following Ebukam's injury. Adebawore has a chance to solidify his role as a rotational player on the defensive line.

The fourth-round pick has a unique athletic profile and intriguing upside as an interior pass-rusher, but his game has needed some development. It will be interesting to see if some of the improvements he's made in camp will translate to the game field.

CB Jaylin Simpson

Though it's unlikely Simpson works his way into the mix for a starting role on the boundary, the Kansas product has worked exclusively with the outside cornerbacks during camp. It's an interesting storyline considering his flexibility as a free safety as well.

Simpson is likely battling with veteran Darrell Baker Jr. for one of the final spots in the cornerback room while JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers hold the top three spots on the depth chart at boundary cornerback. A strong start to the preseason can go a long way.

S Nick Cross

One of the biggest question marks the Colts face this season comes at the free safety position. The battle between Cross and Rodney Thomas II hasn't yielded a solidified starter , but the preseason games should help with that.

Cross has immense upside as a young, elite athlete. But he's yet to put it all together consistently in a game setting. He needs a strong showing during the preseason to keep the Colts from adding a veteran to the position while also looking to solidify his standing with the front office going into his third campaign.

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