The Indianapolis Colts have struggled with depth in recent years. The starters can be quite good, but as Indy fans saw in 2025, if a key player or two gets injured, the difference in talent between the starter and the backup is vast.
In 2026, Indianapolis brought back some key starters, such as Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and the hope is that defenders, such as Sauce Gardner and DeForest Buckner, will stay healthier, but every team goes through attrition during a season. The backups have to be better for the Colts.
That means keeping the three players below, plus giving them a chance to get a few more reps. That would help keep the starters fresh, but also a sprinkling of production from quality depth. They could be the difference between the Colts making the playoffs or not.
Indianapolis Colts need to hold on to the three players below in 2026 and beyond
Running back DJ Giddens
Giddens isn't going to get a lot of chances with Jonathan Taylor on the roster, as no running back would. Taylor is a potential Pro Football Hall of Famer who is going to get the heavy workload no matter who else is around. He does still need to take breaks during a game, however, and that means Indy needs a high-quality backup.
Giddens' spot on the depth chart might be affected by Indy choosing Kentucky's Seth McGowan in the seventh round. That late of a pick normally indicates that the player is going to struggle to make a team, but that might not be the case with McGowan. His felony arrest several years ago probably pushed his draft stock down.
Giddens hasn't shown he can catch the ball well, and he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry. That implies a lack of explosiveness, but the truth is the sample size is simply too low. Giddens is capable of more and worth keeping around as RB3, if not higher.
Right guard Matt Goncalves
Goncalves was pretty good in his first full season as a starter, though he did have some dreadful games. Against the awful Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, for instance, he allowed five quarterback pressures. He allowed at least two in Week 6 through 18. That's a number that needs to improve.
In fact, it was because of that lack of consistency in pass protection that some believe Goncalves should be replaced by Jalen Farmer, a fourth-round selection in 2026. The rookie has lots of experience working in the SEC, so he is as prepared for the NFL as any interior offensive lineman could be.
There is also speculation that Goncalves could move to right tackle as longtime starter Braden Smith signed with the Houston Texans in free agency. Jalen Travis, who started at tackle some in 2025, would move to right guard. Trusting Goncalves at tackle would appear to be a mistake, though.
Edge rusher Jaylahn Tuimoloau
Entering his second season, Tuimoloau could already be facing a make-or-break year. He was putrid as a rookie with zero sacks and just one tackle for loss. For a second-round selection in 2025, he was a massive disappointment. He might not be capable of being better.
But let's not assume that last part. Sometimes, a player just needs a season to get acclimated to the speed and power of the league before making a true impact. Sometimes, that takes even two seasons.