Colts Projected to Add More Rookie Depth at Cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts haven't chosen a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft in nearly a decade.
ESPN's Matt Miller left open the possibility of Colts general manager Chris Ballard ending the team's first-round receiver drought in 2024. But instead of a wideout, Miller projected Indianapolis to follow a recent trend for the team and select a defensive back.
Miller slotted Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to the Colts at No. 16 overall in his mock draft released on December 12.
"The Colts could be looking at wide receiver if free agent Michael Pittman Jr. isn't retained, but the front office will likely do all it can to keep him on the roster for young quarterback Anthony Richardson," wrote Miller.
"Instead, the Colts could look to the defense, where the secondary has been plagued by injuries and poor play.
"McKinstry entered this season as my top-ranked cornerback and then broke up six passes over 13 games while allowing a 32.1% completion percentage (tied for 16th-best in the country). The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder hasn't recorded an interception this season but has quick feet in coverage and great length to lock down top wideouts."
If the Colts were to select McKinstry, he would be the fifth defensive back the team has taken over the last three drafts. In 2023 alone, Indianapolis chose three cornerbacks, including JuJu Brents in the second round.
Despite all the young defensive backs on the Colts roster, as Miller argued, it's hard not to view cornerback as still a significant need for Indianapolis.
Brents hasn't played since suffering a quad injury in Week 7. With him out, the Colts have been forced to rely on former undrafted rookie Darrell Baker along with seventh-round rookie Jaylon Jones and sixth-round rookie Ameer Speed at cornerback.
The young cornerbacks have mostly held up in coverage. The Colts are ranked around the middle of the pack in passing yards allowed and net yards yielded per pass attempt this season.
Veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II has undoubtably been the glue of the group. But Moore will be an unrestricted free agent in March.
It's essential the Colts add more depth at cornerback in the 2024 NFL draft. Entering Week 15, Miller predicts Indianapolis to do that in the first round.
