The Colts released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2026 season Monday ahead of Thursday night’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. As always, the word “unofficial” matters here, especially this early in camp, but the first depth chart still gives a useful look at how Indianapolis is currently organizing a few key position battles.
OFFENSE
- WR: Alec Pierce (PUP), Laquon Treadwell, E.J. Horton Jr., Sahmir Hagans, Eli Pancol
- LT: Bernhard Raimann, Blake Freeland, Bayron Matos
- LG: Quenton Nelson, Dalton Tucker, Josh Sills
- C: Tanor Bortolini, Jimmy Morrissey, Geno VanDeMark, Josh Kreutz
- RG: Matt Goncalves, Jalen Farmer
- RT: Jalen Travis, Luke Tenuta, Nolan Rucci
- TE: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Carson Towt, Pharaoh Brown
- WR: Josh Downs, Anthony Gould, Coleman Owen, Raylen Sharpe
- WR: Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Deion Burks, Ben Nikkel, D.J. Montgomery
- QB: Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard OR Anthony Richardson Sr., Easton Stick
- RB: Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, Seth McGowan, Ulysses Bentley IV, Anderson Castle, Roydell Williams
DEFENSE
- DE: Arden Key, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, George Gumbs Jr., Mitchell Melton
- DT: DeForest Buckner, Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore
- NT: Grover Stewart, Derrick Nnadi, Jerry Tillery, Cam Ball, Tim Smith
- DE: Laiatu Latu, Micheal Clemons, Caden Curry, Durrell Nchami
- WLB: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jaylon Carlies, Bryce Boettcher, Tahj Chambers
- MLB: CJ Allen, Austin Ajiake, West Weeks, Devin Versuk
- CB: Charvarius Ward Sr., Cam Taylor-Britt, Johnathan Edwards, Mekhi Rodgers
- FS: Camryn Bynum, Jonathan Owens, Trey Washington
- SS: AJ Haulcy, Hunter Wohler, Daniel Scott, Juanyeh Thomas, Austin Brown
- N: Justin Walley, Jai’Onte’ McMillan
- CB: Sauce Gardner, Mekhi Blackmon, Jaylon Jones, Robert Carter Jr.
SPECIALISTS
- P: Rigoberto Sanchez
- PK: Blake Grupe OR Spencer Shrader
- H: Rigoberto Sanchez
- LS: Luke Rhodes
- KR: Anthony Gould, Coleman Owen
- PR: Anthony Gould, Coleman Owen
The biggest note comes at quarterback, where Daniel Jones is listed as the starter but is not expected to play Thursday night.
Shane Steichen’s plan is for Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. to split reps against New England, and the depth chart reflects that competition by listing both players as the No. 2 quarterback for now. That is probably the right way to frame the battle. Jones is the starter, while Leonard and Richardson are still fighting for the backup job.
On offense, Alec Pierce is still listed as a starting receiver despite his ongoing ankle situation, alongside Josh Downs and Ashton Dulin. The offensive line has Bernhard Raimann at left tackle, Quenton Nelson at left guard, Tanor Bortolini at center, Matt Goncalves at right guard and Jalen Travis at right tackle. The right side is worth watching, with rookie Jalen Farmer listed behind Goncalves and Luke Tenuta behind Travis. Tyler Warren is listed as the top tight end, ahead of Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory.
At running back, Jonathan Taylor is unsurprisingly listed first, with DJ Giddens ahead of Seth McGowan for the backup job. That is one of the more interesting camp battles because the Colts have talked about wanting to manage Taylor’s workload, and whoever wins the No. 2 role could have a real weekly job. Giddens getting the first nod makes sense based on experience and draft slot, but McGowan has generated enough camp buzz that this one should not be treated as settled yet.
Defensively, CJ Allen is listed as the starting middle linebacker, which is notable even on an unofficial depth chart, although he is currently injured and I doubt will play. Akeem Davis-Gaither is listed at weakside linebacker, while the defensive line features Arden Key, DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart and Laiatu Latu as the listed starters. In the secondary, Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward are the outside corners, Camryn Bynum and AJ Haulcy are the starting safeties, and Justin Walley is listed as the nickel.
Special teams also has one unresolved battle, with Blake Grupe and Spencer Shrader listed as co-starters at kicker. Anthony Gould is listed as both the top kick returner and punt returner, which gives him a clear early path to roster value even if his offensive role remains uncertain.
The depth chart should not be treated as final, especially before the first preseason game and Tuesday’s joint practice with the Patriots. Still, it confirms the main early storylines: Leonard vs. Richardson for QB2, Giddens vs. McGowan behind Taylor, the kicker battle, Allen’s early defensive role, and how the Colts are lining up a new-look secondary. For an unofficial August depth chart, that is enough to make it worth paying attention to.
