Potential Colts Targets to Watch at NFL Combine

It is that time of year, yet again, as the NFL world descends on Indianapolis this week for the annual NFL Scouting Combine.

Every team in the league will be present as over 300 of the best collegiate prospects in the country begin their NFL draft process. Players will meet with teams throughout the week, have medical examinations done, and perform on-field drills in front of the league's top decision-makers.

The Indianapolis Colts have the luxury of having the combine occurring in their backyard. But that does not make things any easier, as general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen continue to look for players who can help take this team to the next level. Impressions left at the combine can have a lasting effect on who the Colts will select in the draft come April.

Ballard has talked about wanting to be more explosive on both sides of the ball. The NFL Scouting Combine allows players to display their explosiveness and athleticism through a variety of drills. If anything about the Colts' draft strategy is certain, it is that Ballard and his group love to bet on extremely athletic prospects with high-end traits.

Here are the position groups the Colts will watch closely at the combine, along with a few players at each position that Indy will likely have their eye on.

Pass Catchers

More dynamic pass catchers are needed for the Colts to become a more explosive group on offense. While Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs look to hold substantial roles in the Colts offense for years to come, question marks surround the rest of the wide receivers and tight ends. Alec Pierce and Jelani Woods have shown promise at various points, but neither has proven to be a consistent threat for the Colts' offense just yet.

One way the Colts could bolster the receiving core for Anthony Richardson would be by adding a generational tight end prospect in Brock Bowers. Bowers has been the best tight end in college football the last few seasons and has the potential to be one of the elites at his position. While Bowers is largely seen as a top-five prospect in this class and expects to put on a show at the combine, the positional value of tight end may allow him to fall to Indy.

If Ballard and the Colts are looking for wide receiver help in Round 1, look no further than Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas is a big, athletic wideout who can win deep and led all of FBS with 17 touchdown catches in 2023. Thomas could be the deep threat Steichen wants to take this offense to a new level.

Wide Receivers to Watch

Brian Thomas Jr. - LSU
Malachi Corley - Western Kentucky
Malik Washington - Virginia

Tight Ends to Watch

Brock Bowers - Georgia
Theo Johnson - Penn State
Ben Sinnott - Kansas State

Cornerbacks

The Colts had a very inexperienced secondary for most of the season. Rookies cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones started eight and 10 games, respectively, and showed great promise. If Brents, a second-round pick in 2023, stays healthy and continues to build on his rookie campaign, he could be a solid starter for years to come in Indy.

But the Colts will continue to look to add at cornerback, especially playmakers who can take the football away and give it back to the offense. Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell is a superb athlete at the cornerback position and could be the perfect fit opposite of Brents. He has blazing speed, the ability to play off-zone or press-man, and a nose for the football after recording six interceptions in his collegiate career while returning two for touchdowns.

Nate Wiggins could be another cornerback the Colts take a look at in the first round. Wiggins has the size and length the Colts like with their cornerbacks and will show out at the combine with his athleticism. The Clemson corner can run with any wide receiver and is effective in press-man or zone coverage.

Cornerbacks to Watch

Quinyon Mitchell - Toledo
Nate Wiggins - Clemson
T.J. Tampa - Iowa State

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Pass Rushers

The Colts may have set the Indianapolis-era record with 51 sacks a season ago, but getting consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks was a challenge. Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo had the best seasons of their young careers, but both will be in contract years if Paye's fifth-year option is declined. Help rushing the passer could be a focus of the Colts throughout the draft.

Chris Braswell could be the pass rusher Ballard and the Colts fall in love with throughout this draft cycle. The Alabama product is an athletic freak with a motor that does not quit. He led the SEC in pressures a year ago and will display some of the best testing numbers of any pass rusher at the combine.

Another pass rusher expected to show out at the combine is Adisa Isaac. Isaac possesses all the athletic traits needed to be a terrorizing pass rusher in the NFL. With new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge on board, the former Penn State Nittany Lion could be very successful in Indy.

Pass Rushers to Watch

Chris Braswell - Alabama
Adisa Isaac - Penn State
Austin Booker - Kansas

Safeties

The safety position is an underrated need for the Colts this offseason. Julian Blackmon is a free agent after a career year at strong safety. If Blackmon does not return, Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II are left to take over the reins. Both players have displayed flashes, but neither has proven the answer for the future.

If the Colts decide to go safety on Day 2 of the NFL draft, Tyler Nubin would be a perfect fit. Nubin is arguably the top safety in this draft class and can play anywhere on the field. He is a high-level athlete with great ball skills and would be a nice addition to the Colts secondary.

Kamren Kinchens is another safety prospect to keep an eye on. Kinchens had 11 interceptions in three years at Miami and has a knack for finding the football. The safety had a solid week at the Senior Bowl and will be looking to showcase his talents again at the combine.

Safeties to Watch

Tyler Nubin - Minnesota
Kamren Kinchens - Miami
Cole Bishop - Utah

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