Tag: Clay Fields

Colts’ training camp roster preview: CB Clay Fields III

Up next in our Colts’ training camp roster preview is CB Clay Fields. Here is a look back at Fields’ 2023 season and what’s ahead in 2024.

Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.

Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.

I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is cornerback Clay Fields III. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.

2023 Season Review

Fields would go undrafted this past April and didn’t initially sign with the Colts. It wasn’t until after he was brought in for a tryout during minicamp that the team added him to their offseason roster.

Fields, who is listed at 5-10 – 188 pounds, played the 2023 season at FCS Chattanooga after spending his first four seasons at Marist College. He was a safety in college, spending time in the traditional deep safety role, but he has experience playing in the box and in the slot as well.

Fields has been a sound tackler in his career, and in coverage last season, allowed a completion rate of 63 percent, and 13.9 yards per catch, while coming away with eight pass breakups and one interception, along with having ample special teams experience, playing over 500 total snaps.

For more on Fields, here is what Pro Football Network had to say in its pre-draft scouting report:

“Strengths: Significant reps at deep safety, in the box, and in the slot for two different programs (Marist, 2019-2022; Chattanooga, 2023). Keeps receivers in front of him, limiting YAC. Has the speed (4.47 40) and athleticism (37″ vert, 10’2″ broad, 4.21 shuttle) to carry routes vertically.

“Weaknesses: His 5’9″, 188-pound frame is relegated to the slot/box. 29″ arms are apparent when trying to wrap up ball carriers and contest targets against larger pass catchers.”

2024 Season Preview

The Colts have Fields listed as a cornerback rather than a safety. Given his experience playing closer to the line of scrimmage, along with his size, he is likely going to be a primary nickel defender for the Colts.

Fields will join Chris Lammons and draft pick Micah Abraham as possible slot options behind Kenny Moore.

Although there is some uncertainty at the cornerback position, in general, for the Colts, there may not be many–if any–roster spots up for grabs. Moore, JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Dallis Flowers will be on the team, plus the Colts used two draft picks on the position, taking Abraham and Jaylin Simpson. There is also Darrell Baker, who played over 400 defensive snaps in 2023.

As an undrafted rookie, Fields’ ceiling in his first season is likely making the practice squad. As is the case for every back-end roster player, special teams play will be important when it comes to standing out.

Colts sign CB Clay Fields and WR Derek Slywka after minicamp tryouts

The Colts announced that they signed CB Clay Fields and WR Derek Slywka, while waiving OL Jack Anderson and placing S Daniel Scott on IR.

The Indianapolis Colts had six players in for tryouts during the team’s three-day minicamp, and they announced that they signed two of them: cornerback Clay Fields and wide receiver Derek Slywka.

Both Fields and Slywka went undrafted this past April.

The Colts are listing Fields as a cornerback, but he played safety at Chattanooga, spending time in the box, as a free safety, and in the slot.

Given Fields’ past experience, my guess is that he will provide added nickel depth during training camp. He joins Chris Lammons and Micah Abraham as potential slot options behind Kenny Moore.

Throughout his career, Fields was a very reliable tackler and a willing run defender. He finished his four-year career totaling eight interceptions and 17 pass breakups. Fields also played over 500 special teams snaps as well.

Slywka played his college ball at D-III Ithica College and was actually a defensive back. This past season, Slywka recorded 51 tackles and six interceptions while blocking two kicks on special teams. He was named an Associated Press All-American and the D3football.com Region 2 Defensive Player of the Year.

With AD Mitchell and Anthony Gould already joining a receiver room that featured Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and Ashton Dulin, among others, Slywka joins a crowded position group.

Naturally, there will be a steep-learning curve for Slywka, who is not only making the jump from D-III to the NFL, but also making a position change. However, the Colts are willing to take a swing on his upside, with good size, athleticism, and ball skills.

In order to make room on the roster for Fields and Slywka, the Colts placed Daniel Scott on IR after he suffered an Achilles injury last week and waived offensive lineman Jack Anderson.