Colts Ideal NFL Draft Scenario Revealed by Pro Football Focus
The Indianapolis Colts hold the No.15 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. While last year it was crystal clear that Indy was selecting a quarterback, it's more ambiguous this time.
Now that Anthony Richardson is the future field general of the Colts, the team still needs first-round talent at positions like wide receiver, cornerback, and potentially even edge rusher.
According to Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus, the best possible draft situation for Shane Steichen's Colts would involve either a top pass-catcher or a defensive back from the draft. Wasserman details this further in his 2024 NFL Draft: Best-Case Scenarios for All 32 NFL Teams piece.
After mentioning the goal is to "improve in the passing game on both sides of the ball," and the fit at first round being "a perimeter threat at receiver or a cornerback," he says the following for the Colts:
The Colts are in an odd spot with the 15th pick. Their ideal pick would probably be Washington’s Rome Odunze, but that would likely require a trade-up. Brock Bowers has often been mocked to Indianapolis, and he would arrive immediately as the team's best receiving threat if Michael Pittman Jr. were to depart in free agency.
The Colts could also take a hack at improving their defense. Cornerback is their biggest area of need. JuJu Brents flashed his talent last year, but adding a premier talent like Terrion Arnold, Nate Wiggins or Quinyon Mitchell would go a long way in fixing their secondary.
The Colts' greatest asset is their ability to run and stop the run. However, they need to improve in the passing game on both sides of the ball to contend in a loaded AFC.
Several draft targets are highlighted, with each having an argument to be a great fit for the Indy roster.
To start, the pass-catchers.
Outside of Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts don't have a dynamic offensive weapon. Yes, Josh Downs had a solid rookie season and is a potential future No.1 wideout for Indy, but not yet. As for Alec Pierce, he's been such a roller-coaster of consistency that he can't be relied upon week in and week out; and must improve to be taken seriously.
As for the tight ends, Jelani Woods' health is a question mark, and the rest of the group (Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, and Mo Alie-Cox) isn't guaranteed to impact the passing game. Wasserman mentions both Washington playmaker Rome Odunze and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, but both could be gone by the 15th pick.
The receiving threat in the draft who is generally mocked to be available is LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas would be the more realistic pass-catcher to fall to 15th overall for Indianapolis to grab if they stay put.
While a trade-up idea as was in the PFF piece, it's not a Chris Ballard type of move in the first round. However, anything can happen on draft day. If Indy feels they're a playmaker away from unlocking their offense, perhaps they make a move up the charts.
Now, the defensive backs.
Alabama's Terrion Arnold, Clemson's Nate Wiggins, and Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell were paired with Indianapolis in Wasserman's breakdown. Cornerback is arguably the biggest need for the Colts over any other position.
While it would be nice to grab a pass-catcher in the first round, there are still plenty of other receiving options that will likely be available in later rounds. Players like Florida's Ricky Pearsall, Western Kentucky's Malachi Corley, and South Carolina's Xavier Legette are just a few names in a deep receiving class.
The Colts have an established name in Kenny Moore II, but he's still due to be re-signed. Outside of Moore, JuJu Brents, Dallis Flowers, and Jaylon Jones are next up and still don't have the experience to shoulder all the defensive coverage responsibilities.
After the starters, players like Darrell Baker Jr. and Ameer Speed occupy the backup roles. Neither is an exciting thought to play too many snaps.
Any of the aforementioned draft corners would be solid picks for Gus Bradley's defense and are day-one starters.
The Bottom Line
The Colts have multiple spots on their roster to address for this season. A lot of those areas can be filled in the NFL Draft.
Will they go offensive and get a pass-catcher? Is it more important to secure another starting cornerback to shore up pass defense?
It's exciting to think about which direction Indy will go, and the best part is nobody knows how it will play out until April 25th.
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