The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for the final roster cuts as the preseason comes to an end. With the deadline to trim the team from 90 to 53 players rapidly approaching, analysts have made their projections for the Colts' final 53-man roster.

At the quarterback position, the Colts are expected to retain five players. The new 3rd quarterback rule might lead to the departure of Sam Ehlinger, who could be put on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Rookie Jason Bean, despite a shoulder injury in the preseason finale, has shown promise and is likely to secure a practice squad development spot.

Moving on to the running back position, the Colts are projected to have six players on their roster. Demetric Felton, Tyler Goodson, Evan Hull, Zavier Scott, Trey Sermon, and Jonathan Taylor are set to form a strong backfield. The inclusion of both Goodson and Hull is seen as necessary due to Sermon's injured hamstring, which may sideline him for a couple of weeks.

When it comes to wide receivers, the Colts are expected to have a dozen players on the roster. While Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and Laquon Treadwell are seen as locks, the fate of Ashton Dulin remains uncertain. With the availability of D.J. Montgomery and Treadwell, the Colts may opt for a sixth wide receiver.

At the tight end position, the Colts may choose to retain seven players. The toe injury to Jelani Woods might secure his place on the roster as a potential injured reserve candidate later in the season. Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson, both in contract years, are likely to remain on the team.

On the offensive line, injuries to Wesley French and Josh Sills have forced the Colts to look for new interior backups. With rookies Blake Freeland and Bernhard Raimann impressing during the preseason, and the return of veteran Danny Pinter, the Colts are expected to have 13 offensive linemen on their roster.

Defensively, the Colts may keep 17 players on the defensive line. The season-ending injury to Samson Ebukam has opened up an opportunity for Isaiah Land. Despite some questioning Taven Brayn's place on the team, his consistent performance as one of the top defensive tackle reserves may earn him a spot.

The linebacker position might see a smaller number of players kept on the roster, with five expected to make the cut. The changing nature of the game and the prevalence of defensive backs on the field have influenced this decision.

In the cornerback group, the Colts are projected to retain 10 players. With the kickoff rule changes, teams are now considering bigger defenders for special teams. Day 3 cornerback draft picks Jaylin Simpson and Micah Abraham are likely to stay on the roster, while names like Chris Lammons and Ameer Speed are still in contention.

Safety is another position that needs reinforcement, and the Colts are expected to go with seven players. The team may look to add defensive backs via waivers to address depth concerns.

Finally, the Colts have a solid group of specialists in Matt Gay, Luke Rhodes, Rigoberto Sanchez, and rookie Spencer Shrader, who may be considered for the practice squad given Gay's recent struggles.

As the clock ticks closer to the roster deadline, the Colts have some tough decisions to make. The final 53-man roster will be revealed soon, and fans are eagerly waiting to see which players will make the cut and continue their journey with the Indianapolis Colts in the 2024 season.