Most intriguing offensive position battles ahead of Colts training camp

Key position battles are beginning to take form as players split reps with six weeks before the Colts report to training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. on July 22.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the NFL offseason program on Thursday with the final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp. Key position battles are beginning to take form as players split reps with six weeks before the Colts report to training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind. on July 22.

Quarterback: Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones

Quarterback Anthony Richardson was given the keys to the Colts franchise for his first two seasons, but his starter status is in doubt because he has yet to stay healthy for the duration of a full NFL season, or an offseason for that matter. The 23-year-old’s development has been plagued by numerous injuries and setbacks, including the most recent aggravation of the same AC joint in his throwing shoulder that ultimately required surgery during his rookie season. Richardson was ultimately shut down before the second week of OTAs and veteran minicamp.

Indianapolis’ fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is as unique of an athlete as one could find. There is not a single other player on the roster that can put on a show like Richardson, whose highlights feature a jaw-dropping ability to launch the football well over 60 yards through the air off his back foot, tagged with his dual-threat capabilities to outrun defenders in the open field or run over defenders at the goal line.

As Richardson enters a pivotal third campaign with the Colts, he has to prove to head coach Shane Steichen that he can stay consistent before he is renamed the starter. He has to prove to GM Chris Ballard, and much of the fanbase, that he can stay healthy for a 17-game season. Perhaps most importantly, Richardson has to prove that he is ready to show what it takes to be an NFL QB.

A seventh-year professional quarterback should be able to waltz into this situation and take advantage in the competition by gaining rapport with the starting offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones took command of all the first-team reps during the second week of OTAs and minicamp. If Richardson’s injury lingers early into training camp, Jones may emerge as the favorite to become the Colts Week 1 starter.

Wide Receiver: Alec Pierce vs Adonai Mitchell

Receivers Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell will be tied together in discussions for the second consecutive training camp. Competition brought out the best of Pierce last season, who thrived with a breakout campaign. Pierce led the Colts with 824 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on just 37 receptions, while his 22.3 yards per reception led all NFL receivers.

Mitchell arrived on the scene with a chip on his shoulder after falling to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He struggled to find a rhythm with either QB last season and was limited to just 23 catches for 312 receiving yards. Despite Mitchell still searching for his first NFL touchdown, this position battle is based on the potential of both receivers. Mitchell was able to create the most separation from defenders among the Colts receiver room, but averaged just 18.4 receiving yards per game. The Colts boast a loaded arsenal of weapons for whichever QB takes the reigns into the 2025 season and the competition between Pierce and Mitchell will be exciting to watch play out this summer.

Center: Tanor Bortolini vs Danny Pinter

Another key position battle will be the future snapper following the departure of nine-year center Ryan Kelly, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Tanor Bortolini made five starts during his rookie season in 2024 and has the opportunity to earn the full-time starting job. The Colts were able to retain Danny Pinter in free agency to provide some competition and depth, but Pinter likely views this as an opportunity to move up the depth chart and assume the starting center position. Pinter made both of his starts last season across a two-week stretch to begin December in New England and Denver, but has made just nine starts since being drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Honorable Mention: Backup Running Back and Tight End

Two other position battles on the offensive side of the ball that should be mentioned is the depth at backup tight end and running back. Steichen has shown he will lean on the Colts identity and feed Jonathan Taylor to “run the damn ball” on consecutive carries to wear out the defense on a single drive. Taylor took a career-high 21.6 attempts per game last season, so Steichen may consider sharing the workload after Indianapolis added two complementary tailbacks in the backfield this offseason.

Khalil Herbert signed a one-year deal with the Colts during free agency after being limited to just 36 carries and one touchdown in 14 games between two different teams in 2024. Rookie running back D.J. Giddens will be an intriguing addition to watch during training camp. Indianapolis’ fifth-round draft pick is an athletic, powerful workhorse who adds situational value in the pass game as a receiver out of the backfield. Giddens caught 50 passes for 581 receiving yards and four receiving TDs across the last two seasons at Kansas State. Both rushers seek to become the 1-2 punch option behind Taylor.

First-round draft pick Tyler Warren is assumed to be one of the starters, but the Colts often run two tight-end sets. Mo Ali-Cox and Drew Ogletree will battle to earn a starting role in 12 personnel opposite Warren. Ali-Cox will be more of a blocking specialist as his production has declined in each of the last four seasons. Ogletree enters his third season and aims to fetch more than the nine receptions he’s produced in each of his first two healthy seasons.

The Colts return nine of 11 starters on offense from last season after Will Fries and Ryan Kelly chose to sign with Minnesota in free agency. All three additions in Jones, Warren, and Giddens should add tremendous value to make an immediate impact on the offense.