INDIANAPOLIS –We are less than a week away from players flocking back to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center for work.
The Colts will start their nine-week offseason program on Monday, April 17.
Over the next week, Colts.com will take a look at the "Burning Questions" for all remaining position groups going into the 2017 offseason.
Here's a look at the secondary burning questions heading into the team's offseason program:
Who starts opposite Vontae Davis?
Is this a name that will be announced for the Colts when the draft arrives on April 27?
That's a definite possibility.
Behind Vontae Davis, the Colts have Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris and Charles James. Those guys have never been full-time starters in the NFL. The staff did like what Melvin provided Indianapolis in extended action last season.
But the staff really, really likes the secondary depth in the 2017 draft.
In particular, the cornerback group is considered strong this year.
Chuck Pagano mentioned at the League Meetings last month that the Colts could even take two cornerbacks in the draft.
If that draft pick (or one of those picks) comes in the first couple of rounds, he's going to have a real strong chance to start opposite Davis.
One thing to keep in mind: Davis is entering a contract year, which only stresses the importance of finding a Day One impact guy in the draft.
STAT TO NOTE: Since 2013, Vontae Davis has started 61-of-64 games for the Colts.**
How will Clayton Geathers and Darius Butler work together at safety?**
The re-signing of Darius Butler means he is expected to fill the vacant starting spot of Mike Adams.
That transition should not be too bumpy after the Colts saw how Butler performed at safety a year ago.
In Butler, they have a safety with tremendous football IQ, a playmaker and a veteran who can be the new quarterback of that secondary.
Butler's skillset complements the strengths of Geathers.
At 220 pounds, Geathers is a guy the Colts want to continue to move around all over their defense.
The closer Geathers moves to the line of scrimmage, the more it allows the Colts to be creative in matching up against tight ends/running backs out of the backfield.
If Butler and Geathers can quickly get on the same page, and stay healthy, this starting duo can become a strength for the Colts.
STAT TO NOTE: In five seasons with the Colts, Darius Butler has 12 interceptions and six forced fumbles.**
What type of role will be there for T.J. Green?**
This article touches more on what the Colts want to see out of T.J. Green in 2017.
In the base defense, Green isn't expected to start.
But he still should see the field quite a bit as the Colts look to get more speed out there.
The Colts want to make sure the mental taxing is not too much for Green, something that Chuck Pagano believes overwhelmed the young safety last year.
Green is still pretty new to the safety position. He only played there for two years in college.
When the Colts go to their nickel package look in 2017, moving Geathers down to linebacker and inserting Green at safety should put both of the young safeties in positions of strength.
Again, by definition, Green isn't a probable starter. That does not diminish how important of a role he will have in 2017.
STAT TO NOTE: Under Chuck Pagano, the Colts have drafted just one cornerback (D'Joun Smith, 2015 Draft-3rd Round).[*
ICYMI: Quarterback Burning Questions*](http://www.colts.com/news/article-burningquestions/Quarterback-Burning-Questions-Heading-Into-OTAs/af458382-a8fc-4721-9bd4-73fe16dafc45)**
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.*
