Depth-Chart Update Only Serious IDP Folks Will Care About

What They're Saying

SI.com Colts writer Zach Hicks: "The former Michigan linebacker was once a highly touted prospect in the draft by many in the media. He appeared on most top-100 big boards back in 2021, but ultimately slipped to the fifth round due to his inexperience and the fact that he tore his ACL in his junior year of college."

More from Hicks on the early LB rotation: "The Colts are still early into camp, and a few other players have been seen rotating in with McGrone, but there does appear to be something about the young player's game that intrigues Lou Anarumo and his defensive staff."

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Anarumo joined the Colts this offseason after the Bengals fired him. That could be a key component to McGrone's apparent rise. The LB reportedly got some extra early work at MLB, filling in for Zaire Franklin as the starter worked back from left-ankle surgery.

We should also note that this "unofficial" depth chart does not signal final decisions. (Those aforementioned QBs are listed as co-starters, for example.)

But it likely shows at least some lead for McGrone over Carlies (and others). He'd otherwise have little reason to open the preseason on top.

McGrone appeared in just 19 games at Michigan, with most of those coming in 2019 ahead of the junior-year ACL tear. His lone complete season included 4 sacks and 10 tackles for loss but also found him ranking just fifth on the team in total tackles.

This spot in the Colts D has helped IDP lineups lately, though, supporting strong production from Bobby Okereke and then E.J. Speed. Anarumo's Cincinnati defenses similarly found room for two productive LBs: Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.

So I'll be watching how this progresses for some IDP sleeper potential.