Colts Compile Incredibly Athletic 12-Man Draft Class
The Indianapolis Colts selected a 12-man class in the 2023 NFL Draft this week, their largest such group in at least 30 years.
As has been custom under general manager Chris Ballard, the Colts like to trade back to gather more draft capital, which they did three times over the last three days to add three additional picks to their bounty.
Ultimately, the Colts leaned into their belief of investing in high-end athletes with elite traits. As such, the Relative Athletic Score (measures size and athletic scores) of the dozen players registered an average of 9.49 per player out of 10.0, finishing just short of the Colts' 2022 draft class, whose average was 9.61. Below is the Colts' 2023 draft class along with their RAS.
- 1-4 — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida (10.0)
- 2-44 — CB JuJu Brents, Kansas State (9.99)
- 3-79 — WR Josh Downs, UNC (8.99)
- 4-106 — OT Blake Freeland, BYU (9.82)
- 4-110 — DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern (9.83)
- 5-138 — CB Darius Rush, South Carolina (9.81)
- 5-158 — S Daniel Scott, California (9.80)
- 5-162 — TE Will Mallory, Miami (9.39)
- 5-176 — RB Evan Hull, Northwestern (9.30)
- 6-211 — DE Titus Leo, Wagner (8.48)
- 7-221 — CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M (8.65)
- 7-236 — OT Jake Witt, Northern Michigan (9.80)
Size and athleticism will always be a calling card of a Colts draft pick under Ballard. Following the draft, he said they wanted to make sure they got faster and more athletic, particularly on defense. Assistant general manager Ed Dods added that it boils down to some guys are just too big and fast to fail as long as they have the work ethic, as their floor gets raised.
The Colts set out to get their quarterback this weekend and get faster and more athletic throughout their roster. Mission accomplished.
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