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Build-A-Ballard: Who the Colts May Target at Cornerback in 2023 NFL Draft

Which cornerbacks in the 2023 draft fit Ballard’s preferred mold?
Zach Hicks|
Build-A-Ballard: Who the Colts May Target at Cornerback in 2023 NFL Draft
Build-A-Ballard: Who the Colts May Target at Cornerback in 2023 NFL Draft

The Build-A-Ballard series is back for another run for the 2023 NFL Draft. Last year was the absolute peak of the series when the Indianapolis Colts selected Alec Pierce, the face of the entire offseason for these articles. Can we top that massive hit this year?

This is the fourth installment of the popular series that takes a look at past draft trends and traits that General Manager Chris Ballard seeks out in the NFL Draft.

The goal is to use Ballard’s time in Kansas City (where he was the the Director of Player Personnel or Director of Football Operations from 2013 to 2016) and his time in Indy to figure out who he may covet come draft time.

We already know Ballard loves athleticism and leadership on and off the field, but this series hopes to shed more light on traits he is looking for and help to uncover some of the players he may target in the draft.

The focus today will be on one of the Colts’ biggest positions of need, cornerback. Will Chris Ballard add another corner early in the draft?

Notable Drafted Players

During Ballard’s tenure in Indianapolis and Kansas City, his organizations have drafted twelve cornerbacks in nine drafts. Ballard seems to throw a ton of draft capital at this position, as 2018, 2021, and 2022 were the only years that he didn’t use a draft pick on the position. Six of the twelve draft picks used on corners were with draft picks in the first two days of the draft.

The only notable exclusion to this list is Isaiah Rodgers, who was a 6th round pick in 2020. He will seem like an outlier to the parameters set in this piece, but Colts’ scout Mike Derice even said that he was a bit of an outlier, so that will be taken into account when looking at traits of these players.

Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice (2014)— 3rd Round Pick

Size:

6’0” 193 pounds with 31 7/8 inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.38 seconds / Bench Press: 11 reps / Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches / Broad Jump: 122 inches / 3-Cone: 6.62 seconds

Career Stats:

175 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 38 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble

Overview of Pick:

+ Can be deployed in zone coverage.

+ Good production on the ball.

- Durability concerns.

- Underdeveloped technique and play.

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (2015)— 1st Round

Size:

6’0” 197 pounds with 31 1/2 inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.53 seconds / Bench Press: 17 reps / Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches / Broad Jump: 121 inches / 3-Cone: 7.08 seconds

Career Stats:

129 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 16 pass deflections, 11 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble

Overview of Pick:

+ Contesting catches and often comes away the winner on 50/50 throws.

+ Competes hard out of press-man coverage and tries to intimidate receivers with his physicality.

- Raw technique.

Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State (2015)— 3rd Round

Size:

5’10” 197 pounds with 30 5/8 inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.49 seconds / Bench Press: 19 reps / Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches / Broad Jump: 115 inches / 3-Cone: 6.88 seconds

Career Stats:

122 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 16 pass deflections, and 8 interceptions

Overview of Pick:

+ Very physical and aggressive for the position.

+ Displays closing burst and ball skills to consistently contest passes.

- Struggles in man coverage and his overall limited athleticism.

KeiVarae Russell, CB, Notre Dame (2016)— 3rd Round

Size:

5’11” 192 pounds with 31 5/8 inch arms

Measurables (Pro Day):

40 Time: 4.49 seconds / Bench Press: 17 reps / Vertical Jump: 38.5 inches / Broad Jump: 134 inches / 3-Cone: 6.84 seconds

Career Stats:

169 total tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 12 pass deflections, 5 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles

Overview of Pick:

+ Observant from zone and off coverage.

+ Looks to do it the right way as a tackler.

- Poor overall ball skills.

Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida (2017)— 2nd Round

Size:

6’1” 211 pounds with 32 1/4 inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.54 seconds / Bench Press: 14 reps / Vertical Jump: 32 inches / Broad Jump: 118 inches / 3-Cone: 6.86 seconds

Career Stats:

81 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 14 pass deflections, 6 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble

Overview of Pick:

+ Willing to stick his nose in as a tackler.

- Raw technique and below-average athleticism.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple (2019)— 2nd Round

Size:

5’11” 192 pounds with 32-inch arms

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.51 seconds / Bench Press: 18 reps / Vertical Jump: 39.5 inches / Broad Jump: 120 inches / 3-Cone: 7.31 seconds

Career Stats (one season at Temple):

47 total tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 12 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions

Overview of Pick:

+ Super physical and offers goo tackling skills.

- Below-average athleticism

Changes from last season + Common Traits

While the selection (and success) of Isaiah Rodgers has made me rethink this position a little bit, I still think the same metrics as the past will apply to this group. The only slight addition will be to arm length.

Given Gus Bradley's past history with cornerbacks, and the Seattle Seahawks' scheme having a minimum of 32", the arm length requirement has gone up a tad this year.

Here are the common traits that can help us build a rough mold of what Ballard might look for in rookie corners:

  • Typically likes 6’0”+ height for his corners (will make exceptions if a shorter corner is lengthy)
  • At least 190 pounds
  • At least 32-inch arms
  • Strengths: Tackling, strong in press, good in zone, competitive/tough
  • Weaknesses: Struggles in off-man, long speed concerns, injury concerns
  • +++ Special Teams Ability
  • Ballard Trademark: Team Captain/Senior Bowl selection

2023 Draft Players Who Fit

1.) Julius Brents, Kansas State

Size:

6’2” 198 pounds

Arm Length: 34”

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.53 seconds / Bench Press: N/A / Vertical Jump: 41.5 inches / Broad Jump: 136 inches / 3-Cone: 6.63

Career Stats:

111 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 10 pass deflections, 6 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Why He Fits:

Julius Brents is a perfect Build-A-Ballard cornerback for the Colts. He is a long and physical player that isn't afraid to mix it up in the run game. He excels as a classic Seattle Cover-Three corner that can step up in press coverage and lay a beating on opposing wide outs. If you need more evidence as to why the Colts will like him, he was a star at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl this offseason AND he was actually born in Indianapolis. Brents to the Colts just seems like a perfect fit on paper.

2.) Darius Rush, South Carolina

Size:

6’2” 198 pounds

Arm Length: 33.375”

Measurables:

40 Time: 4.36 seconds / Bench Press: N/A / Vertical Jump: 35 inches / Broad Jump: 121 inches / 3-Cone: N/A

Career Stats:

75 total tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss, 15 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Why He Fits:

Coming in a close second this year is South Carolina cornerback Darius Rush. He is another long and tenacious cornerback prospect that gets after it on every single snap. He is competitive in press coverage and possesses good ball skills to make plays in phase. He, like Brents, also impressed scouts at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl and Rush has a history of being a plus special teams player as well. He is another corner that I see Ballard liking a lot on day two of the draft.

3.) Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State

Size:

6’2” 193 pounds

Arm Length: 32.5”

Measurables:

N/A

Career Stats:

91 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 17 pass deflections, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble.

Why He Fits:

Rejzohn Wright is a confident and physical cornerback prospect that reminds me a lot of Rock Ya-Sin as a prospect. He is a strong press coverage cornerback that put out some outstanding film against the best receivers he faced (Jordan Addison). He is a smart player that knows how to mix up his style in order to frustrate receivers and throw off timing. He may not be selected as high as Ya-Sin was, but he seems like another corner that Ballard could target on day two/early day three in this draft.

Honorable Mentions

  • Tyrique Stevenson, Miami: Lanky cornerback that loves to come up and hit in the run game.
  • Cory Trice, Purdue: Local prospect that has outstanding length and testing numbers.
  • Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina: Big and confident cornerback that thrives in press coverage.
  • Terell Smith, Minnesota: Athletic and battle tested corner that could excel in multiple schemes.
  • Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford: Not the most well-rounded player but great length and ball skills on the outside.

Conclusion

With GM Chris Ballard’s track record for drafting corners, these are the prospects who might stand out for him during the draft. He tends to like physical corners who can play the run and excel in press and zone. He places a heavy emphasis on physicality and press ability while not worrying as much about athleticism or off-man ability.

It is important to note that this analysis could be entirely wrong as it relies heavily on his time in Kansas City. It is entirely possible that Ballard disagreed with much of the decisions made during his time with the Chiefs’ organization at the receiver position. For all I know, Ballard could take a 5’9” corner in round one. Who knows? However, this series should give some kind of insight into who Chris Ballard may want to target based on his past.

Learn more about these cornerbacks and many, many more by pre-ordering the Indy Draft Guide!

The most comprehensive Colts draft coverage you can find anywhere releases April 10th, 2023.

Pre-order now with this special discount code!

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Zach Hicks
ZACH HICKS

Zach Hicks is the Lead Analyst for HorseshoeHuddle.com. Zach has been on the NFL beat since 2017. His works have appeared on SBNation.com, the Locked On Podcast Network, BleacherReport.com, MSN.com, & Yardbarker.com. 

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