Colts OTAs are happening, and yes, Mr. Andrew Luck is practicing

Stephen Holder | IndyStar

Robert Scheer/IndyStar

INDIANAPOLIS – We’re a long way from knowing what shape the 2018 Indianapolis Colts are going to take.

With a new coach, a reshuffled roster and new offensive and defensive schemes, we’ve only begun to scratch the surface when it comes to learning about this team.

But this is why these offseason practices are so valuable. They offer a small window into what we might see this fall, allowing us to develop more informed opinions.

Wednesday offered such an opportunity, as reporters got their first peek at a full-squad practice. The first week of organized team activities (OTAs) can be rough -- the offense, for example, is only 70 percent installed -- but there were some important observations to note nonetheless:

Robert Scheer/IndyStar

>> Offensive line preview

Lineups in late May are about as reliable as stock-market advice from your brother-in-law. That being said, when it comes to forecasting who will play where, all we can do is use the available evidence.

At least on Wednesday, that evidence pointed to an intriguing offensive-line configuration. With left tackle Anthony Castonzo sitting out (he was present but not practicing and coach Frank Reich did not provide any information on players sitting out), the first unit looked like this: Denzelle Good (left tackle), Quenton Nelson (left guard), Ryan Kelly (center), Matt Slauson (right guard) and Austin Howard (right tackle).

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Good was obviously taking Castonzo’s usual spot. While these lineups can change from practice to practice (reporters get access once every three practices) and we can’t make assumptions based on just one workout, this is a very viable starting group.

Nelson is likely to be a fixture at left guard, and the Colts don’t seem likely to tinker with a position where he’s enjoyed great success. Kelly is back in the middle. Slauson offers a trusty option at right guard but that spot should be competitive with second-round pick Braden Smith. Then, there’s Howard, who was signed in recent weeks but already looks to be making himself relevant. Good and Joe Haeg could come into the picture there as well.

The Colts have a chance to have one of their most competitive offensive lines in years. And with the additions of Slauson, 32, and Howard, 31, they’ve changed the makeup of what was one of the team’s youngest units.

“There just needs to be a mental toughness and a leadership with guys who are all in and can mentally and physically do it play in and play out,” Reich said. “Those guys have proven that over their career and they’re stepping up in their leadership role and really setting the tone for us, not only as an offensive line, but really as an offense in general.”

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>> Wide receiver competition

One area of the roster you’re going to see significant competition play out is wide receiver. The Colts have one dominant wideout in T.Y. Hilton. Behind him, there are many questions but also significant potential.

Whether we’re talking about Chester Rogers’ continued impressive offseason performance, Ryan Grant’s sure hands or the upside of rookies Reece Fountain or Deon Cain, the Colts are more bullish on their wideouts than just about anyone outside the building.

Whether they’re right will be determined in time. But you can already see the competition intensifying. Reich loves it.

“I’m really happy with the whole group,” he said. “All the guys have been flashing. I really feel strongly about this young wide receiver crew. No. 1, the way they’re coming off the football and the way they’re competing. … There are things that really excite me. I know we have a long way to go, but there’s a lot of progress. There’s some guys who are explosive. Big, strong guys. I think we’re catching the ball well. I’m really encouraged.”

The explosion off the line is a key in Reich’s offense. You can already see the Colts employing many of the quick throws Reich is going to emphasize. That forces receivers to be precise with their routes because so much of the scheme depends on timing.

Here’s a prediction: Get ready for Fountain and Cain to become training camp and preseason darlings. Both have quickly established themselves as players to watch, and they are going to only add to the intrigue that is developing at one of the team’s critical positions.

Robert Scheer/IndyStar

>> First look at Ebron

We can’t yet begin to speculate how many catches tight end Eric Ebron will have this season, but you might want to take the over.

The Colts are already showing their intentions with their new free-agent pickup, moving him all around the offensive formation to take advantage of his athletic skill set and to find favorable matchups. Though he's 6-4 and 253 pounds, Ebron is long and looks more like an oversized receiver than he does a traditional tight end. And, yes, he did have issues with drops in Detroit. Thing is, he won’t be nearly the first option in this offense, but a complementary one.

The deep crosses Ebron ran on Wednesday have the potential to become huge plays. With Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni emphasizing matchups, the Colts can potentially exploit some opportunities with Ebron in this offense.

“Ebron presents another level that we can expose when we get matchups and certain things we want to do with our offense,” quarterback Jacoby Brissett said.

>> Play of the day

It’s not often a rookie picked in the fifth round has what might be the most enduring image from the first week of OTAs. But that’s how impressive Fountain’s back-shoulder catch down the right sideline was on Wednesday.

Most notable was Fountain’s ability to high-point the football against two defenders. The 6-1 rookie from Northern Iowa used every inch of his frame to go up and get the football.

It’s that kind of potential that will get him noticed and earn him an opportunity to get into the rotation this season.