The NFL preseason is about evaluation and competition. As the Colts have moved through over two weeks of practice and two preseason contests, some players haven’t lived up to expectations, while others are turning heads.
107.5 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen identified three undrafted rookies, Ulysses Bentley IV, Coleman Owen and Johnathan Edwards as three players who helped their chances to make the initial 53-man roster next Tuesday.
Bentley has been buried on the Colts depth chart, but has taken advantage of his opportunities.
“The running back out of Ole Miss had some nice moments,” Bowen wrote, adding Bentley may just be a practice squad guy, but running back depth questions in Indianapolis give him a fair shot.
Bentley has averaged 4.4 yards per carry in his two preseason appearances.
Owen, a wide receiver from Ohio, also has a bit of a difficult time climbing the depth chart as Indy’s top six receivers have been pretty set in stone from the beginning. Still, Owen made contributions on special teams that shouldn’t be ignored.
“Even a Josh Downs (hamstring) injury is probably not enough to alter the 6 wide receivers who will make the Colts 53-man roster,” Bowen wrote. “But major credit to Coleman Owen for being a reliable slot/punt returner throughout this offseason.”
Bowen adds Owen should be a shoe-in for the practice squad. He recorded eight receptions for 64 yards in two preseason games, which included a team-leading 46 yards against the Packers.
On the defensive side, Jonathan Edwards got a massive opportunity after injuries to JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones and Justin Walley turned the cornerback position completely sideways.
Edwards certainly benefitted from some injuries at the outside corner position,” Bowen remarked. “But credit to Edwards himself for offering some playmaking when those first-team chances started to come his way.
“Depending on the health of Jaylon Jones/JuJu Brents, it’s possible Edwards will be on that initial 53-man roster next Tuesday.”
While all three undrafted rookies appear to be more on the outside looking in than the inverse at this point, there’s still one final chance to prove themselves in the preseason finale against the Bengals on Saturday.