Colts roster breakdown: Who's a lock, on the bubble at linebacker

With minicamp behind us, let's break down the Indianapolis Colts' roster through a different lens.

In this series, we will be going position-by-position and placing each player into one of three categories, are they a lock to make the team, likely to make the team, or on the bubble and fighting for a role?

What this exercise can do is help bring into focus how many roster spots are actually available this summer, along with highlighting who may be on the outside and looking in.

Up next are the linebackers.

Roster locks (3): CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher, Akeem Davis-Gaither

Allen and Boettcher are both 2026 draft picks, with Allen expected to start as a rookie. Davis-Gaither was signed in free agency to a one-year deal that the Colts could easily get out of. That said, this room is so inexperienced overall that I think having Davis-Gaither's experience is a near must. He is also in the mix for a starting spot.

More likely than not makes the team (1): Jaylon Carlies

I wrote recently that, as we wonder how the linebacker depth chart will shake out, not to forget about Carlies. He brings added coverage ability to the position as a former college safety, and he's seen some snaps with the ones during minicamp. Although he missed most of his second season due to injury, Carlies did contribute on special teams late in the year. Even if he doesn't start, his skill set could give Lou Anarumo added flexibility in how he utilizes Carlies within the scheme.

On the bubble (4): Austin Ajiake, Tahj Chambers, West Weeks, Devin Veresuk

It's worth noting that on last year's initial 53-man roster, the Colts kept only four linebackers, so those spots could be accounted for already. Among this group, coming into offseason programs, the Colts seemed very bullish about Weeks and Chambers, two UDFAs.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 53-man roster: Locks and bubble players at linebacker