Indianapolis Colts’ Linebacker Spot Remains a Question Mark

Josh Edwards Highlights the Colts’ Primary Weakness

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports pinpointed the Colts’ biggest roster hole heading into training camp, and it isn’t a surprise to anyone familiar with Indianapolis’s recent defensive struggles. Edwards called out the linebacker position, noting that the unit had already been a point of weakness before Green Bay traded for Zaire Franklin, the team’s most productive linebacker at the time. General manager Chris Ballard further signaled a desire for younger, faster defenders after the season, setting the stage for a major turnover in the backfield.

Wide Receiver Uncertainty Adds to the Concern

While the linebacker spot takes center stage, Edwards also flagged the wide receiver room as a potential issue. The starting job next to Alec Pierce and Josh Downs is up for grabs, leaving the Colts with a competitive battle at the position. This secondary receiving depth could impact the offense’s ability to generate consistent yardage if not filled quickly.

Departed Veterans, New Faces, and Pass‑Rush Depth

Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt, who led the Colts in snaps during the 2025 season, are no longer in Indianapolis. To replace them, the team added Akeem Davis‑Gaither via free agency and drafted CJ Allen in the second round and Bryce Boettcher in the fourth round. Meanwhile, Laiatu Latu’s pass‑rush presence around the line of scrimmage is also up for evaluation, potentially reshaping the defensive front.

Experience Levels of the New Linebackers

Akeem Davis‑Gaither enters his seventh season and boasts 24 career starts, making him the most seasoned of the group. Jaylon Carlies, however, has logged just over 200 career snaps, most of which came in 2024, limiting his résumé. Both Allen and Boettcher are rookies, and all three have already seen snaps with the starters during offseason programs. This inexperience means the Colts will need to develop chemistry quickly if they hope to field a reliable linebacker corps.

Scheme Fit and Outlook

Lou Anarumo’s disguise‑heavy defensive philosophy could give the linebacker unit a boost, especially with a high‑end secondary surrounding the position. The design aims to mask coverages and create confusion for opposing offenses, which may help offset the lack of veteran presence. Still, until the Colts’ defense takes the field in preseason games, question marks about performance and cohesion will linger for fans and analysts alike.

The Colts have a clear path forward: develop the youthful linebacker trio, leverage Anarumo’s aggressive schemes, and shore up the wide receiver spots to complement a defense that is still being rebuilt.