Not surprisingly, ESPN’s Stephen Holder listed cornerback, safety, and receiver as the Indianapolis Colts’ top needs heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
In the secondary, Holder notes that the Colts finished 2023 with one of the youngest defensive backfields in the NFL. In their final four games, with their playoff hopes on the line, the Colts ranked 30th in completion rate allowed, not to mention that explosive pass plays were an issue as well.
At receiver, while the Colts do have Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce, Holder mentions that another playmaker could take that unit to the next level—not to mention that giving your young quarterback another weapon is never a bad idea.
Recently, GM Chris Ballard mentioned that he does like his young cornerback room, which is made up of JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Dallis Flowers, however, the opportunity to add some immediate impact help should be available in the draft.
This is considered to be a fairly deep cornerback class, with Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Cooper DeJean, and Nate Wiggins all potential options at pick 15. With the depth of this position group, the chance to add on Day 2 if needed should also be there.
The safety position, however, is not nearly as deep. In fact, the overall draft class received the second-lowest grade from PFF in regards to talent and depth.
There isn’t a player at this position who the Colts will draft at pick 15, meaning they will have to address it on Day 2 or Day 3. Safety is not often a position where we see players make an immediate impact, and of course, the further away a team gets from the first overall the selection, the odds of finding that level of help decreases.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for Ballard to try to address the need in free agency, where there are still several impact players available, including Julian Blackmon.
Back to the positives for the Colts, this wide receiver class is loaded with talent. PFF graded this position group as the best overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Realistically, Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers – the top receivers in this class – will be off the board before the Colts are on the clock, but Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU is a name that could be in play at 15th overall. If the Colts don’t address the need there, they will have plenty of other options on Day 2.
Getting Richardson back under center will help, but this is a Colts’ offense looking to generate more big passing plays this upcoming season.