With the Indianapolis Colts' initial 53-man roster set, what might the depth chart on defense look like heading into Week 1 of the regular season?
Here is our latest projection.
Defensive end
- Laiatu Latu
- Arden Key
- Micheal Clemons
- Jaylahn Tuimoloau
- George Gumsb Jr.
- Caden Curry
Latu and Key will be the starters. Based on the preseason, Clemons and Tuimoloau will be next up in that rotation, although I wouldn't be surprised if Gumbs earned some opportunities after his performance this summer.
Defensive tackle
- DeForest Buckner
- Grover Stewart
- Adetomiwa Adebawore
- Jerry Tillery
- Tim Smith
Of course, Buckner and Stewart will lead the way. Adebawore will back up Buckner, and Tillery will be Stewart's backup. Smith provides added depth at nose tackle.
Linebacker
- Akeem Davis-Gaither
- Jaylon Carlies or CJ Allen
- Bryce Boettcher
- Austin Ajiake
- Tahj Chambers
We know Davis-Gaither will be one of the starters, and my early guess is that Carlies and Allen rotate at the other starting position. We could see Allen on running downs and Carlies on passing downs.
Ajiake and Chambers will be core special teams contributors.
Cornerback
- Sauce Gardner
- Charvarius Ward
- Justin Walley
- Kapena Gushiken
- Jaylon Jones
- Johnathan Edwards
Of note, Cam Taylor-Britt is not on the initial 53-man roster, with him serving a Week 1 suspension.
Gardner and Ward will be the starting outside cornerbacks, with Walley at the nickel. Gushiken is likely the backup nickel defender, while Jones and Edwards provide depth outside.
Safety
- Cam Bynum
- AJ Haulcy
- Hunter Wohler
- Jonathan Owens
Haulcy earned the starting strong safety role over the summer. Wohler will be his backup but could see the field in defensive back-heavy personnel groupings. Owens is likely the backup free safety and will be a regular special teams contributor.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Projecting Colts' defensive depth chart after roster cutdowns
