Tag: training camp preview

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: WR Dezmon Patmon

Patmon faces a chances to carve out a role in 2021.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

After previewing Michael Pittman Jr., T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal, it’s time to turn our attention to one of the up and coming players on the roster.

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: WR Zach Pascal

Zach Pascal continues to be an underrated piece of the offense.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

After previewing Michael Pittman Jr., T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell, it’s time to turn our attention to one of the most underrated players on the roster.

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: WR Parris Campbell

Campbell enters a prove-it year in 2021.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

We’ve taken a look at Michael Pittman Jr. and T.Y. Hilton so now it’s time to preview a wide receiver entering a massive prove-it year.

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: WR T.Y. Hilton

Ghost is hoping for a bounce-back season.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

After taking a look at Michael Pittman Jr., we turn our attention to the elder statesman  of the wide receiver room in T.Y. Hilton.

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: QB Jacob Eason

Jacob Eason is battling for the QB2 role.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

Next up is second-year quarterback Jacob Eason, who is battling for the backup role behind starter Carson Wentz:

>>>Training camp preview for Carson Wentz<<<

Colts’ 2021 training camp preview: QB Carson Wentz

Previewing QB1 ahead of training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their spring workouts at the end of May and will return for training camp sometime at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 regular season.

Before that happens, we will be going through the majority of the roster to preview their background, projected role and bottom line with the team entering training camp.

First up is the new quarterback in Carson Wentz:

2020 Colts training camp preview: DT Denico Autry

Autry should see more time at DE this season.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

Name: Denico Autry
Position: DT (3-tech)
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 285
Age: 29
Free Agent Year: 2021

Background

Signing a three-year deal with the Colts during the 2018 offseason, Autry enters the final year of that contract. He had a strong season in 2018 when he led the defense with 9.0 sacks, earning himself Pro Bowl consideration. His production plummeted in 2019, however, recording just 3.5 sacks as the team’s primary three-technique.

Expected Role

With the addition of DeForest Buckner, the role that Autry sees will be far less involved than it has been Even so, he will be working as the backup defensive tackle behind Buckner but also should see an increase on the edge behind Justin Houston and Kemoko Turay. The Colts didn’t add to that part of the defensive line this offseason so they are likely planning on using his versatility more often in 2020.

2020 Outlook

Autry has been a solid defender for the Colts in two seasons even despite his down 2019. He should continue to work in the rotation on the interior, especially since the Colts like to keep all of their pass rushers fresh. Autry should also see more work on the edge this season, which bodes well for his snap count during the 2020 campaign.

But the 29-year-old shouldn’t be expected to return to his Pro-Bowl caliber form of 2018. The limited work will keep him from putting up dominant numbers even if it might lead to him being a more efficient pass rusher. The Colts will need all of their pass rushers to step up in 2020 and while it might be in a more limited role, Autry will be involved.

Bottom Line

In a contract year, Autry will be looking to prove that his 2019 campaign was more of an outlier. He will have to fight for his snaps both on the interior and the edge and while the Colts will certainly keep him in the rotation, he will be working behind one of the best interior pass rushers in Buckner this season.

2020 Colts training camp preview: DT Grover Stewart

Grover Stewart enters a contract year.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

Name: Grover Stewart
Position: DT (1-Tech)
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 315
Age: 26
Free Agent Year: 2021

Background

A fourt-round pick with the Colts during Chris Ballard’s first draft in 2017, Stewart used the first two years of his career to work on his game and get acclimated to the NFL. While he had limited production during that span, he had a strong 2019 campaign that showed he’s ready to take the next step as a starter on the interior defensive line.

He played in all 16 games (13 starts) while recording 3.0 sacks, 5.0 tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.

Expected Role

Though the Colts brought in veteran Sheldon Day from the 49ers on a one-year deal this offseason, the starting role at the one-technique should be Stewart’s to lose. He showed in 2019 that he can handle the workload and be a productive player against the run while also showing some juice as a pass rusher.

2020 Outlook

The Colts are hoping that Stewart can continue his development as a solid piece on the interior. This is a big year for the Albany State product given that he will be a free agent once the 2020 season ends. It doesn’t appear an extension is in line before the season starts, though there is still a few weeks to go upon this writing.

Stewart has the size and explosiveness to be a solid starter at the one-technique working alongside DeForest Buckner. If there is a defensive player looking to make a jump in 2020, look no further than Stewart.

Bottom Line

Coming from a Division-II program, it has taken Stewart some time to be a productive asset. But he proved he could do it in 2019. Now, he has to do it all over again in a contract year to prove to the front office he belongs to stay in Indy.

2020 Colts training camp preview: DT DeForest Buckner

The blue-chip DT has a big year waiting.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

Name: DeForest Buckner
Position: DT (3-Tech)
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 295
Age: 26
Free Agent Year: 2025

Background

The No. 6 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Buckner has been a huge part of the 49ers defense since being selected. His tenure on the West Coast came to an end this offseason when the Colts acquired the Oregon product in exchange for the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Buckner has been one of the top emerging defensive tackles in the league since entering the NFL and will provide the Colts with an elite option at the three-technique.

Expected Role

The Colts spent the No. 13 overall pick and then signed Buckner to a four-year extension worth $84 million. He’s going to be a staple in the defense. The Colts finally found their stud defensive tackle to be the engine of the defense while providing push as a pass rusher. It’s going to be hard to take Buckner off the field.

2020 Outlook

The Colts needed an elite-caliber three-technique, and they got it Buckner. Of course, he has to live up to the hype, but working in the aggressive front for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus should do wonders for his production. The Colts have a solid pass rush but one that has been inconsistent over the last few seasons.

With Buckner now leading the charge, commanding double teams and simply generating pressure on his own, the entire defense will be better. Buckner will be one of the most exciting Colts to watch in 2020 and should continue his progression as a top interior pass rusher.

Bottom Line

There isn’t much more to be said about Buckner than there already has. He’s entering the prime of his career and has the production to back up the hype. It will be fun to watch No. 99 wreak havoc on opposing offenses in 2020.

2020 Colts training camp preview: DE Ben Banogu

Ben Banogu faces a big Year 2.

The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to return from their summer break on July 28 for training camp, barring any changes. We will be previewing the majority of the roster as the summer progresses.

Name: Ben Banogu
Position: DE
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 252
Age: 24
Free Agent Year: 2023

Background

Banogu enters his second season after playing mostly a limited role during his rookie campaign. He played in all 16 games but recorded only 2.5 sacks and one tackle for loss while playing 26% of the defensive snaps.

Expected Role

It should be expected that Justin Houston and third-year defensive end Kemoko Turay are he starters on the edge for the Colts. But after an offseason went by without the Colts adding to the defensive end room, Banogu has a clear path to be the third player on the depth chart if he continues to develop.

2020 Outlook

While the Colts drafted Banogu to be a “jack of all trades,” the TCU product has worked mostly at defensive end. That trend should continue in Year 2, especially after the Colts didn’t add anything significant to the room. Banogu has the athleticism and bend to be a solid pass rusher from the edge but must continue developing his plan when attacking the edge.

The Colts are hoping that Banogu can continue his development to the point where he can be relied upon in the rotation at defensive end behind Turay and Houston. He also faces some competition with Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyquan Lewis and Denico Autry.

Bottom Line

Banogu has a lot of upside as an intriguing pass rusher. He played a limited role his rookie season but if he continues to show improvement in his consistency and pass-rush plan, he could be on his way to a bigger role in 2020.