Last year, the Indianapolis Colts barely missed the playoffs thanks to an injury-riddled season. With their franchise quarterback now healthy and a year of experience under Shane Steichen, the Colts turned to the 2024 NFL Draft as a way to build on the numerous successes they had last year. Who knows, if Anthony Richardson hadn’t gone down with injury so early in the season, perhaps they could’ve had a season, and offseason, similar to that of their division rival, the Houston Texans. Nevertheless, this is all just what-ifs. What is certain, however, is that the NFL offseason is in full swing and that it’s an exciting time to be a Colts fan.
Image: NFL.com
Round 1 #15 Overall – Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; A
While Indianapolis’ “perfect” pick here would’ve been tight end Brock Bowers, the Raiders shocked many by selecting him two picks prior. Nevertheless, the Colts still had a hole at the corner with prospects such as Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell still on the board. However, the Colts ended up also surprising many by taking UCLA’s Laiatu Latu.
This is by no means a bad pick. The AFC South is quietly getting tougher with the Texans loading up on offensive talent, the Jaguars having been a threat the past few years, and the Titans retooling under a new head coach. But while the Texans might be the favorite for the division, the fact of the matter is that it’s still wide open. With Anthony Richardson coming back, the offense should take a step in the right direction. Now all that was needed was to address the defense.
As I said, cornerback is the Colts’ biggest need defensively. However, with young standouts JuJu Brents and and Jaylon Jones, and veterans Kenny Moore and Julian Blackmon, Chris Ballard decided to beef up a front that already features DeForest Buckner and Kwity Paye. The franchise still has some concerns in the secondary, but their defensive line is arguably the best in the AFC South.
Image: ESPN
Round 2 #52 Overall – Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas; A+
In my opinion, this is another terrific pick by Chris Ballard. Many pegged Mitchell as being a first-rounder, but there were rumors circulating about his character. Nevertheless, I had Mitchell as my WR4 going into Day 2. However, by the time of his selection, I had him on my board as WR2 behind Oregon’s Troy Franklin. Still, I believe that Mitchell will be a better fit for Indy than Franklin would’ve been.
While Mitchell was more of a late bloomer in college, his athleticism and statistics from this past year are a glimpse of what he can do. He’s a big body who’ll command attention on an offense that also features Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and Michael Pittman Jr. out wide. This isn’t even to mention that teams will also have to account for Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson in the run game. Long story short, the Colts’ first two selections could be enough to propel them to a playoff berth this upcoming season.
Image: ESPN
Round 3 #79 Overall – Matt Gonclaves, OT, Pittsburgh; B-
The offensive tackle class this year falls off a bit once you get past the top prospects. However, once you get past those who went within the first two rounds, it drops off even more. Because of this, and because of the Colts’ need for depth along their offensive front, this isn’t necessarily a bad pick. Might there have been other prospects available who are better football players than Gonclaves? Yes. But, Gonclaves is a fine player whose athleticism stands out amongst others.
Hampered by a nagging injury throughout the 2023 season, Gonclaves has had better years. Still, 2023 wasn’t the worst. He fires off the ball, is consistently able to lock out his arms, and uses his athleticism to his advantage. Yet, he’s inconsistent when trying to latch on to defenders, he tends to overstep his assignments, and he needs to add strength in order to be successful at the next level. There might’ve been other OT prospects who have a higher floor, but Gonclaves’ athleticism and play history indicate that he could be more than just a depth piece sooner rather than later.
Image: WISN
Round 4 #117 Overall – Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin; A
This could wind up being one of the steals of the draft. One of the best interior offensive linemen this year, it’s a bit shocking that Tanor Bortolini fell all the way to the fourth round given his experience at center and that his athleticism could provide for an easy transition to guard.
The Colts’ offense is at its best when the ball can be run. However, you can’t run the ball without a good offensive line. Furthermore, a good offensive line is more beneficial to a young QB’s development than having threats to throw to. The Colts don’t need offensive linemen this year, but they could next year. Starting center, Ryan Kelly, and starting guard, Will Fries, both have contracts expiring after this year. Additionally, Bortolini will provide good depth to the interior offensive line should Fries have another down year.
Image: The Draft Network
Round 5 #142 Overall – Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State; B
The Colts don’t necessarily need more receivers given they already have Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and now Adonai Mitchell. However, what they could use is more speed and a return man.
Anthony Gould is an explosive wideout who projects to be more of a slot receiver thanks to his size but has great experience on the outside. He has terrific long speed and acceleration and is a dangerous return man. He’ll likely go into the season as the team’s WR5 but still expect him to get more reps than anticipated with the offense. For the Colts, Gould will likely be mostly a return man, but don’t be surprised if Shane Steichen decides to use him similar to how the Chargers used Derius Davis prior to all their WRs getting injured.
Image: The 33rd Team
Round 5 #151 Overall – Jaylon Carlies, S, Missouri; B-
The Colts have a need for depth at both the safety and linebacker positions. With their second fifth-round selection, they selected Jaylon Carlies, who played safety for the Tigers. However, at 6’3” and 227lbs, Carlies projects to be more of a linebacker given his inability to smoothly flip his hips and stick to receivers at the top of routes. Still, Carlies has the long speed and acceleration to be a rangy linebacker at the NFL level.
However, if the Colts’ plan all along was to have Carlies make the transition to LB, this pick is a bit puzzling given that Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was still on the board. Trotter himself was by no means a top-5 backer this year, but he’s still a great talent whose experience separates him from Carlies. Furthermore, Trotter also displays enough range and speed to be the depth piece that Indianapolis needs at the position.
Image: Bleacher Report
Round 5 #164 Overall – Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn; B
As said in the explanation for Jaylon Carlies, the Colts need depth at both the safety and linebacker positions. From the looks of it, it seems like they’re planning on addressing the backer need with Carlies and the safety need with Simpson. Simpson is a fine safety with the speed, acceleration, size, and length to perform well at the next level. He can stick with receivers at the top of routes, is a very easy mover, and displays good range when playing from the high spot. However, Simpson’s lack of weight to his frame has proven unfavorable when he engages with blockers or is lined up against tight ends and bigger wideouts. Additionally, while he flies downhill to make plays, he’s an inconsistent wrapper leading to ball carriers making extra gains.
For the Colts, Simpson would operate best behind Blackmon in a high-safety role. If he performs well this year, he could be a viable option for the safety position as early as next year with Blackmon’s contract expiring after the season. Still, Oregon State’s Kitan Oladapo would’ve been the better selection given that he’s just as good as Simpson in coverage, but is a better tackler and matches better against tight ends and larger wide receivers.
Image: Colts.com
Round 6 #201 Overall – Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall; C
A unit that already features Kenny Moore II, JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Dallis Flowers, CB isn’t a position the Colts necessarily need. Yet, they decided to add Marshall’s Micah Abraham in the sixth round. Abraham is an immensely experienced corner with very good ball skills. In his five seasons at Marshall, Abraham recorded 150 tackles, 12 interceptions, and 42 passes defensed.
Still, his lack of size will limit him to the slot in the NFL, a position already manned by Moore. Additionally, this type of production is expected for a draft prospect coming out of a non-Power Five program. If the Colts wished to select a corner who could be more impactful to the club, Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden would’ve been the better selection. He’s just as good in coverage, has fine ball skills, and will come up in run support – all in one of college football’s toughest divisions.
Image: Sports Illustrated
Round 7 #234 Overall – Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma; D
When it comes to seventh round picks, they’re normally dart throws for teams to select athletic freaks in spite of their on field abilities, or experienced veterans despite their lack of upside. While the best defenses of recent have shown depth with their down linemen, this pick doesn’t make sense given the terrific depth Indianapolis already has at the position.
Jonah Laulu is a great athlete who has the size, length, and explosiveness to potentially develop into something. However, there were better tackles available in Miami’s Leonard Taylor III and Illinois’ Keith Randolph Jr. If Indy really wished to improve their depth, they would’ve added to their safety or RB rooms with Beau Brade, Josh Proctor, Cody Schrader, and Kendall Milton all still available.
Final Grade: B-
The Indianapolis Colts absolutely nailed their picks in the first two rounds. After this, however, their selections became a bit spotty with who was still on the board. While they did a good job addressing their areas of need and adding depth to certain positions, their draft class could’ve been better. In a division where the Texans are becoming an offensive juggernaut, the Jaguars are a threat to win the division, and the Titans are steadily improving, the time is now for the Colts to compete. Unfortunately, I don’t know how much this draft class, after the few rounds, will contribute to the franchise’s success.
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