5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Indianapolis Colts' 53-Man Roster

5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Indianapolis Colts' 53-Man Roster

By Evan Massey

July 6, 2015

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5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Indianapolis Colts' 53-Man Roster

Zurlon Tipton — The Indianapolis Colts are expected to be one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2015 season, and they have put together a very talented roster. Almost every position has a talented player or two, and there are going to be some very heated position battles. Find out which five players are dark horse candidates to make the final 53-man roster for the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to be one of the best teams in the NFL during the 2015 season, and they have put together a very talented roster. Almost every position has a talented player or two, and there are going to be some very heated position battles. Find out which five players are dark horse candidates to make the final 53-man roster for the Colts.

5. Erik Swoope, Tight End

Erik Swoope

5. Erik Swoope, Tight End

Erik Swoope — Erik Swoope has an uphill battle ahead of him this year with both Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen being the obvious top two options for the Colts. Adding in the fact that Jack Doyle was a solid role player for the Colts last season makes his chances even slimmer. There is no doubt that Swoope has the talent and ability to become an NFL tight end, but it will take a lot of hard work to get there.

Erik Swoope has an uphill battle ahead of him this year with both Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen being the obvious top two options for the Colts. Adding in the fact that Jack Doyle was a solid role player for the Colts last season makes his chances even slimmer. There is no doubt that Swoope has the talent and ability to become an NFL tight end, but it will take a lot of hard work to get there.

4. Amarlo Herrera, Linebacker

Amarlo Herrera

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4. Amarlo Herrera, Linebacker

Amarlo Herrera — Rookie linebacker Amarlo Herrera has joined a very crowded depth chart at the position, and will have a hard time making the roster in his first season. He is a very solid all-around player, and is physically more than capable of earning a spot on the final roster. That being said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the majority of his rookie season spent on the practice squad.

Rookie linebacker Amarlo Herrera has joined a very crowded depth chart at the position, and will have a hard time making the roster in his first season. He is a very solid all-around player, and is physically more than capable of earning a spot on the final roster. That being said, it wouldn't be surprising to see the majority of his rookie season spent on the practice squad.

3. Bryan Bennett, Quarterback

Bryan Bennett

3. Bryan Bennett, Quarterback

Bryan Bennett — Over the past couple of seasons, the Colts have had Andrew Luck and Matt Hasselbeck as their two quarterbacks. They are without question better than rookie Bryan Bennett, but he does have NFL talent. He might end up spending the year on the practice squad as well, but if he performs well in training camp and preseason action then there could be a chance that the Colts carry three quarterbacks.

Over the past couple of seasons, the Colts have had Andrew Luck and Matt Hasselbeck as their two quarterbacks. They are without question better than rookie Bryan Bennett, but he does have NFL talent. He might end up spending the year on the practice squad as well, but if he performs well in training camp and preseason action then there could be a chance that the Colts carry three quarterbacks.

2. Griff Whalen, Wide Receiver

Griff Whalen

2. Griff Whalen, Wide Receiver

Griff Whalen — Griff Whalen is a very long shot to make the final roster, but the Colts' front office has without question shown that they like him by keeping him around this long. He is capable of making plays on special teams, and is a solid possession wide receiver too. It isn't likely that he makes the 53-man roster, but there are ways that he can prove his worth and force the Colts' coaching staff to keep him around.

Griff Whalen is a very long shot to make the final roster, but the Colts' front office has without question shown that they like him by keeping him around this long. He is capable of making plays on special teams, and is a solid possession wide receiver too. It isn't likely that he makes the 53-man roster, but there are ways that he can prove his worth and force the Colts' coaching staff to keep him around.

1. Zurlon Tipton, Running Back

Zurlon Tipton

1. Zurlon Tipton, Running Back

Zurlon Tipton — The running back position has been one of the biggest issues for the Colts since Edgerrin James left town, but that won't be the case in 2015. Zurlon Tipton has to go up against Frank Gore, Daniel Herron, Vick Ballard and Josh Robinson for a roster spot. There is a chance that he can beat one of those guys out, but it is going to be very difficult to beat two of them.

The running back position has been one of the biggest issues for the Colts since Edgerrin James left town, but that won't be the case in 2015. Zurlon Tipton has to go up against Frank Gore, Daniel Herron, Vick Ballard and Josh Robinson for a roster spot. There is a chance that he can beat one of those guys out, but it is going to be very difficult to beat two of them.

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