​With training camp drawing nearer for the Indianapolis Colts, our usual practice of assembling a 53-man roster prediction based on insights from the offseason programs remains intact. This year, however, we’ll switch up the format. Instead of squeezing every position group into a single piece, we’ll dedicate a full article to one unit at a time before we compile our complete predictions at the end.
Up next: the running backs. The group currently includes Taylor, Giddens, McGowan, and Ulysses Bentley, with Lincoln Pare and Anderson Castle in the mix as well. Taylor will undoubtedly lead the way, but the rest of the depth chart will take shape through training camp and the preseason. Giddens and McGowan stand out as the primary contenders for the backup role, and both are recent draft picks. Those factors make it reasonable to expect them to be on the roster, though I wouldn’t call either a guaranteed lock. Their relative inexperience and the unknowns that come with it introduce a degree of uncertainty, but the smart bet is that they’ll earn spots on the 53-man roster.
It’s common across the NFL for teams to keep three running backs on the active roster, and that aligns with Shane Steichen’s approach during his tenure as head coach. The Colts could theoretically keep Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, and Seth McGowan as the three primary backs. That said, there is always the possibility that another back on the roster could emerge during training camp or the preseason and push one of Giddens or McGowan off the roster. The dynamic remains fluid, and we’ll watch closely as camp unfolds.
Adding some external perspective, Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports highlighted encouraging signs that the Colts will be solid at the backup running back position, with Giddens and McGowan competing for that role. Their performance in practices and preseason games could be the deciding factor in who secures the third spot behind Taylor.
This piece is a continuation of our preseason coverage, and it reflects how the Colts will approach roster decisions as training camp progresses. The running back unit is just one piece of the broader puzzle, but its development will be critical to the team’s overall depth and rotational options. As more camp notes come in, we’ll refine our predictions and keep you updated on how the depth chart is taking shape.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire.