The Colts enter the season with a strong starting safety tandem, but depth at the position is lacking.
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2025-26 season with a strong starting tandem back deep defensively, though questions surround the position’s longevity based on the group currently slated to back them up.
The Colts’ defensive philosophy saw a rebrand with the transition to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Anarumo’s new staff, in particular, brings an influx of experience coaching the backend.
Anarumo himself has extensive experience coaching defensive backs, but so does new Defensive Backs Coach Jerome Henderson and Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Coach Chris Hewitt. All three come from backgrounds in coaching the defensive backfield.
Clearly, an emphasis has been put on reforming the backend, from both a coaching and talent acquisition standpoint, after this influx of coaching experience coupled with the big-time free agent signings of cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum.
Projected Starters
Nick Cross, Camryn Bynum
As it stands, this starting safety tandem has the potential to blossom into a duo akin to that of Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea from a past era. Nick Cross ascended into a proven, secure-tackling box safety in 2024 to the tune of 146 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 5 passes defended, and looks to expand on that progression alongside a Pro Bowl-caliber running mate in Camryn Bynum.
Bynum comes to Indy fresh off his third consecutive season that featured 80+ tackles, 6+ passes defended, and 2+ interceptions. Among all of the statistics that Bynum totals, nothing compares to his widely praised leadership and football IQ intangibles that coaches rave about.
Although the depth back deep is concerning, the fact that both Bynum and Cross have played in every game for the past three years should instill confidence in the starting tandem’s ability to go the course of the season. This likely provides wiggle room in how to complete the safety room, though Anarumo’s usage of big dime-three safety sets either sneaks a peek at which cornerback will fill said role, or sets the issue back to square one.
Backups/Rotational
Rodney Thomas II, Hunter Wohler, Daniel Scott
After starting each of his first two seasons at free safety and providing viable play in the meantime, Rodney Thomas II took a backseat last season to allow his fellow 2022 classmate, Nick Cross, to blossom. Although Thomas II may not be a starting safety in the NFL, he presents as a reliable backup option to either safety spot. His experience and production are a combination worth trusting.
As for Hunter Wohler and Daniel Scott, neither has any experience at the next level, despite a full draft cycle sandwiched between them. Drafted in 2023, Scott has yet to step on the field after suffering a torn ACL and a torn Achilles in back-to-back training camps. General manager Chris Ballard reaffirmed when announcing Scott’s injury that the team is really excited about him; therefore, some amount of conviction is needed to keep him around through two season-ending injuries to the start of a fifth-round pick’s career.
Wohler, a member of the Colts’ 2025 draft class, is an interesting case study. Almost certain to slot in as a safety full-time due to the insufficient room, Indy’s plans have been to use him at both safety and linebacker. Perhaps this is Anarumo and Co. telling everyone what they’ll do, but therein lies a good chance that Wohler is the team’s go-to guy for three-safety sets though a cornerback such as JuJu Brents or Samuel Womack may better fit the bill.
Fringe Active Roster/Practice Squad
Trey Washington, Ladarius Tennison
Both undrafted free agent rookies, safeties Trey Washington and Ladarius Tennison have as open a shot to make the opening roster as any UDFA in recent memory. The seemingly wide-open race to fill the backup safety roles behind Rodney Thomas II is just that. Add in Wohler as a full-time safety, and that makes over half of the safety room (4/7) comprised of players with zero NFL experience. Although Hunter Wohler and Daniel Scott have an inside track to earning said spots with their history as day three draft selections, the jobs are wide open and these two hungry UDFAs know that.