The Indianapolis Colts pulled off a savvy move right after roster cutdown day, snatching defensive back Kapena Gushiken off waivers and adding him straight to their 53-man roster. This isn’t just another body; this is a player the Colts had eyes on for a while, even bringing him in for an official visit before the draft. Getting him on waivers after he spent the offseason and training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles? That’s a sharp pickup for a guy who could be way more than a depth piece.
Gushiken’s Preseason Prove-It Tour
This kid, who went undrafted out of Ole Miss back in April, put on a clinic during his three preseason games with the Eagles. He wasn’t just stuck in one spot either. We saw Gushiken playing deep safety, dropping into the box, and even lining up in the slot. Talk about versatility! He allowed just six receptions on eight targets, holding pass catchers to a super low 8.8 yards per catch. Plus, he was flying around the field, racking up 13 total tackles. That kind of action and impact from an undrafted rookie in preseason tells you he’s got instincts and hustle.
Elite Athlete, Expert-Approved Upside
What really makes Gushiken a grab is his off-the-charts athleticism. During the pre-draft process, he posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.16, which is absolutely elite, and he blazed a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. That speed and explosiveness translates directly to the field. Daniel Popper over at The Athletic had Gushiken on his list of released players to watch, and he didn’t hold back the praise. Popper highlighted his ability to play both nickel and safety, his comfort in the box and in the deep part of the field, and how he repeatedly flashed as a special teams coverage player, especially as a gunner. “He is quite savvy for a rookie,” Popper wrote, and you just love to hear that about a young guy.
So, the Colts now have a versatile defensive back with special teams upside and freakish athleticism. They’ll need to make a corresponding cut to make room for him, but for a player with Gushiken’s ceiling, that’s a small price to pay. Keep an eye on him, because with that kind of talent and versatility, he could quickly become a factor on that Colts defense and special teams units this season. This kid is built to make an impact.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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