WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts are now a week into training camp, and the position battles are just starting to heat up. Though there is still much to be decided between now and cutdown day, now that I’ve seen five practices at Grand Park, we can take an early look at a few players whose stock has risen and fallen so far.
Disclaimer: Most of the big-name Colts players won’t be highlighted here because they are surefire starters and don’t have a lot to gain or lose during training camp. However, for those a little further down the pecking order, consider this their first report card.
GO DEEPERWithout Samson Ebukam, Colts need Laiatu Latu to be a force right away. He looks up to the challengeWide receivers
Alec Pierce: stock up
Plenty of prognosticators viewed the Colts second-round selection of Adonai Mitchell as the beginning of the end for Pierce, who’s recorded 73 catches for 1,107 yards and four TDs over the first two years of his career. Perhaps that will prove to be true, but Pierce has shown throughout the first week of camp that he isn’t going to go away quietly.
He said in the spring it was his job to prove he deserved to be the Colts’ third starter alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.So far, Pierce is handling his business, making a handful of catches during team drills that have either gone for first downs or touchdowns.
Ant & Alec making things happen. pic.twitter.com/6G13dzAUy9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) July 29, 2024
Pierce has looked like a key cog in the Colts offense, and he really came alive Wednesday by snagging nearly everything in his vicinity. He hauled in a pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson on a deep post route in seven-on-seven, and he followed that up by reeling in a 50-yard TD in 11-on-11 from backup QB Joe Flacco in double coverage. After Pierce made the diving and twisting catch in between safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. and cornerback Darrell Baker Jr., he got up and pounded his chest.
“He made some big plays,” Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said. “He always brings it to practice. He is as consistent as they come. His work ethic, his work habits, his pre-practice habits — just the way he prepares himself to have a shot at having some success.”
Adonai Mitchell: stock down
Mitchell has not been the same playmaker he was during the spring when the rookie seemingly made a noteworthy catch every practice. He’s had some moments throughout one-on-one drills, including a dazzling intermediate route Wednesday in which he made cornerback Jaylon Jones fall before easily catching a pass and racing toward the end zone. But the second-round pick has been relatively quiet throughout team periods, especially when he’s been with the first unit. Mitchell’s lack of production is not to say he’s behind schedule. It simply serves as a reminder that he has a lot to learn while adjusting to the NFL. As it stands now, however, Pierce remains firmly in place as the Colts’ third starting receiver.
Anthony Gould: stock up
The Colts drafted Gould, a prolific punt returner at Oregon State, in the fifth round to presumably feature him on special teams. He’s displayed his shiftiness on punt and kickoff returns so far in camp, but his presence hasn’t stopped there. Gould has built a connection with Flacco and snagged another deep ball during Wednesday’s practice, which has become a bit of a theme between the two players dating to the spring. Gould said during the draft he was more than a return man, and through the first week of camp, Cooter isn’t disagreeing.
“We’re excited about the offense that we’re sort of putting together this year and all the different tools we have. … I think Anthony’s trying to break into that and show us what he can do when he gets those opportunities, and he’s done that,” Cooter said. “The last few days, he’s made some plays down the field. I think there’s more that’s gonna come.”
#Colts OC Jim Bob Cooter on rookie Anthony Gould, who was a prolific returner at Oregon State but has also flashed as a WR:
“He’s got a really exciting skill set. … He is making the most of this training camp to sorta improve himself, but also sorta show us what he’s got.” pic.twitter.com/WERSRW20Ma
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 31, 2024
Free safeties
Ronnie Harrison Jr.: stock up
It was surprising to see Harrison take starting free safety reps through the first week of camp, but the veteran held his own on the back end. His most notable play came Tuesday in an 11-on-11 period when he blitzed Richardson and jumped to swat down a pass. Last year, Harrison switched positions from strong safety to linebacker, and now the team might ask him to switch again.
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“When Ronnie gets in there, it seems like something good happens whether he’s playing linebacker (or) strong safety,” Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “So, we thought, ‘You know what, we’ve got this competition going on back here … let’s take a look at it.’”
Nick Cross: stock down
When Bradley mentioned he wanted to see Harrison in the free safety competition, that signaled he hasn’t seen enough from Cross. The 2022 third-round pick took the majority of the first-team reps during the spring, but that has not been the case throughout camp. Cross, who’s started just four games in his career, is now splitting those starting reps with Harrison. Meanwhile, 2022 seventh-round Rodney Thomas II, who’s started 25 games in the NFL, looks like he’s been relegated to a third-string role. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said he wanted to see how the competition unfolded during camp. But each day that passes with Harrison getting reps over Cross and Thomas, it’s fair to wonder whether this free safety competition will compel Ballard to finally sign an established veteran such as Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs.
#Colts DC Gus Bradley on the starting FS spot:
“We still got some work to do there as far as our evaluation, but it’s going in the right direction.”
Nick Cross and Ronnie Harrison Jr. have been rotating as starters. Rodney Thomas II appears to be the third-stringer. pic.twitter.com/TNmpcPo8Q6
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 31, 2024
Running backs
Trey Sermon: stock up
Sermon appears to have solidified his position as the backup running back behind Jonathan Taylor. He’s taken the majority of the second-string reps, and he’s also been called up with the starters when Taylor needs a breather. Sermon, a 2021 third-round pick, had a few bright moments last year, most notably an 88-yard performance in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Assuming he hangs on to his place in the running backs group, his role this upcoming season would be the biggest he’s ever had in the NFL.
GO DEEPERColts fans: Help us with our guide to Lucas Oil Stadium's game day experienceTyler Goodson: stock down
Goodson, coming off an offseason toe injury, has been a participant in every day of camp. But unlike last year, his role as the third-string running back is a lot less solidified. Evan Hull, who scored on a long TD run during 11-on-11 Wednesday, has been competing for that spot throughout camp, and Goodson didn’t do himself any favors by struggling to field a couple of kickoffs on special teams.
#Colts camp Day 6:
• Alec Pierce shines
• AP leads AD Mitchell in WR3 battle
• Could Anthony Gould be used more on offense?
• Joe Flacco is still slingin’
• FS remains an unclear positionAs always, more coming to @TheAthleticNFL! pic.twitter.com/4POzxNvozl
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 31, 2024
(Photo of Alec Pierce: Zach Bolinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
James Boyd is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering the Indianapolis Colts. Before joining The Athletic, James was the Indiana Pacers beat writer for The Indianapolis Star. James is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and grew up in Romeoville, Illinois. Follow James on Twitter @romeovillekid
