With the initial 53-man roster due by 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, August 27, the Indianapolis Colts have some tough decisions to make before then. With nine players being released or waived on Sunday, the Colts still have a long way to go before their Opening Day roster is complete.
While half of the team is already considered a surefire candidate to make the team, many players looking to follow suit needed more exposure in training camp and preseason to determine their regular-season fate. With that in mind, we’ll look at some of the previously mentioned underdogs who needed all three preseason games to show what they can do. With the help of Pro Football Focus, here are the Colts’ top five preseason prospects.
- S Nick Cross: 83.1 Defensive Grade — Although Cross is one of the aforementioned “safe” players and is even projected to start alongside Julian Blackmon in the defensive backfield, his case is the exception. When preseason games began, it was still unclear whether Cross would start or if he would be the fourth Colts safety in the lineup. He became the projected starter in the second half of training camp and needed all three preseason games to establish himself as the team’s opening day starter.
A recent trend has shown #Colts Third-year forward Nick Cross is in the box more than ever.
Cross has been in the box on 25.8% of snaps through 2 games, nearly 20% more than in 2023 (6.6%). He is also the team’s highest-rated tackler during the preseason (84.6). pic.twitter.com/IirRv1h5Ad
— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) 21 August 2024
2. WR Laquon Treadwell: 82.2 Offensive Grade – A former first-round pick fighting for a spot on his 6th team in as many years is never the “development” you want to see, but Treadwell has at least provided a viable receiving option at the bottom of the order during his short time in Indianapolis. During his 3 preseason appearances, Treadwell caught 10 of his 11 passes for 121 yards and 1 touchdown.
3. CB Micah Abraham: 79.5 Defensive Grade – The Colts’ 2024 6th-round pick made his name in his NFL debut with an impressive forced fumble that resulted in six points. His tackling skills were on full display during the preseason, showing a willingness to jump into the fray in a given scenario, something a backup on the roster should display. However, as shown in the preseason, Abraham’s coverage ability leaves a lot to be desired.
As a rookie, he may be destined for the practice squad, but if he can get his coverage issues under control and combine his performances as a tackler and playmaker, Indy could do something with Abraham down the road.
4. T Blake Freeland: 75.6 offensive grade (56.5 pass block/89.1 run block) – There’s good news and bad news in the development of 2023 fourth-round pick Blake Freeland. The good news is that he’s still an athletic wonder who can be a slugger in the run game. The bad news is that his pass protection has yet to show signs of improvement, a less-than-ideal development for a player the Colts view as their swing tackle option for the future.
5. C Danny Pinter: 73.2 offensive grade (61.2 pass block / 73.8 run block) — The former Ball State product seems to have found a football home in his hometown. After what appears to be a rocky start in the NFL, Pinter is now slated to be Indy’s second center behind senior Colt Ryan Kelly.
