The Indianapolis Colts revealed their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason on Monday, three days ahead of their preseason kickoff against the New England Patriots.

While teams always stress how "unofficial" and fluid these summer depth charts are, they still determine how to list the lineups, which sparked some thoughts as someone who has been in attendance at each of the team's nine training camp practices this year.

There's no mystery here. The Colts aren't ready to declare a winner for the backup role between Leonard and Richardson, and head coach Shane Steichen hasn't indicated they won't just let it ride out through the rest of the summer.

The battle for RB2 between Giddens and McGowan was already getting interesting before Giddens (hamstring) was sidelined for the last four practices. McGowan has been one of the biggest bright spots of camp, running with authority and decisiveness and catching the ball with ease. Whenever Giddens returns, pass protection will be a significant factor. Plus, both will receive an opportunity as kickoff returners. Bentley has also been a positive player, scoring twice on receiving plays of roughly 30 and 40 yards in last Thursday's night practice.

The receiver rundown is rather complicated at the moment. They could use another established veteran regardless of the unit's current health, but injuries are present and accounted for. Pierce is supposed to be stepping into the lead role for the first time in his career but has been out since March following ankle surgery, without much update on his return. Downs (groin) and Treadwell (hamstring) have also missed multiple practices since last week. Dulin is currently in the WR3 role, which he is unlikely to relinquish, but how many receivers the Colts keep, and who, will be tough to call. Pancol being listed as far down on the depth chart as he is is interesting because he's been a fixture with the second-team offense and has even seen action with the first team.

This group has been unmoved in its top four since last year when Warren was the Colts' first-round pick. Mallory may make the roster once again after another impressive camp, but the team has struggled to find a place for him on their gameday rosters in his first few years.

The Colts' second- and third-team lines have featured good battles to watch. Each of Tucker, Morrissey, VanDeMark, and Kreutz has rotated between guard and center, with the rookie Farmer a likely candidate to be the third guard.

The second starting edge spot between Key and Tuimoloau, coupled with backup one-tech behind Grover Stewart, are the most notable battles here. Key does seem to be firmly in the driver's seat after taking most of the first-team reps at right edge, but Tuimoloau has seen some work there as well. Backup one-tech has primarily been between Tillery and Nnadi, with Tillery often getting the nod with the first-team defense when they go to a base five-man front.

Linebacker was one of the more eyebrow-raising lineups the Colts listed. The rookie Boettcher is listed as a third-teamer, yet has taken the most first-team reps at linebacker out of anybody since the spring, by my observations. It seems more likely that he'll be a starter come Week 1 than he will be a third-teamer on the edge of the roster.

The cornerback depth chart has a good deal of strength to it, as Gardner and Ward have looked the part of high-end corners, while guys like Taylor-Britt, Blackmon, and Edwards have looked legitimate as well. The backup nickel spot may surprise some, as McMillan is an unknown, but it's much more likely that someone like Taylor-Britt or safety Jonathan Owens provides backup in the slot. Their home positions are just elsewhere.

The battle between Haulcy and Wohler was one of the more anticipated competitions of camp, but Wohler (hamstring) has missed the last five practices. He was seeing more of the first-team reps beforehand, but Haulcy is now "unofficially" listed as the top strong safety. Haulcy has impressed coaches by avoiding mental mistakes, and he made an interception in practice off of Jones on Sunday as well.

The Colts are trying to be fair to Shrader by allowing him a chance to compete for the kicker role after suffering a devastating knee injury last year. However, to this point, there's been no comparison. Out of 35 field goal attempts each since mandatory minicamp in June, Grupe has made 91% compared to 65% for Shrader. Shrader has had an issue pulling kicks to the left that he's yet to solve. In the return game, the Colts have used several players in their kickoff rotations, adding Burks, Giddens, McGowan, and Blackmon into the fray, but at this time, special teams coordinator Brian Mason feels most comfortable with Gould and Owen.