The Colts, like all NFL teams, must reduce its roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Here are 53 takeaways from the 16 practice sessions at GrandParkSports. NFL Colts
WESTFIELD — The Colts wrapped up training camp at Grand Park on Wednesday, putting to rest the franchise’s quietest camp in at least half a decade.
2. Nick Foles pushed the ball down the field a bit more than Ryan in training camp, building instant connections with Ashton Dulin and later with Mike Strachan. Forced to work behind the No. 2 offensive line, Foles was often under pressure and is not the most mobile quarterback, but he was accurate and steady running the offense.
7. Finding carries might be hard for a fourth running back, but undrafted free agent D’Vonte Price and returning back Deon Jackson both can play key roles on special teams.8. Michael Pittman Jr. might have been the star of training camp. Working against a big, long-limbed secondary, Pittman Jr. caught roughly a third of Ryan’s passes in 11-on-11, winning most of his matchups over the middle.
13. Mo Alie-Cox was quietly one of Ryan’s favorite targets in training camp. Alie-Cox remains inconsistent on jump balls, but he is capable of working the middle and will play a lot of snaps as the team’s best blocker. 20. Braden Smith remains rock solid at right tackle, although the Colts tinkered with playing him at right guard a little bit near the end of camp.
28. Ngakoue, the speed rusher Indianapolis has long coveted, has endeared himself to Colts fans through charitable giving, surprise appearances and social media, and on the practice field, his speed and relentless pursuit off the edge will force quarterbacks up into the rest of the defensive line.29. Quick and explosive after rehabilitating his torn patellar tendon, Tyquan Lewis looks like the front-runner to replace Stewart inside on passing downs.
33. Fifth-round pick Eric Johnson is still learning how to play the point of attack in the running game, but it is clear why the Colts targeted the Missouri State product in the draft. When he has some space, Johnson can be explosive off the ball.34. Indianapolis might keep as many as 10 defensive linemen. Former second-round pick Ben Banogu spent most of camp as Ngakoue’s primary backup, although he flashed less this season than he did last year.
38. E.J. Speed got most of his work with the No. 1 defense on the strong side, the spot he’d likely play on defense if Leonard has to miss time early in the season. 42. Kenny Moore II’s physicality near the line of scrimmage is something the new Colts defensive staff hasn’t often had in its nickel backs.
46. If Julian Blackmon can stay healthy, his range and instincts appear to fit this defense perfectly.