The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for the 2020 NFL draft, which begins on Thursday, and they could be keeping an eye on the safety class to use one of their selections to add some talent to the room.
Starters: Malik Hooker, Khari Willis
Backups: George Odum, Rolan Milligan
Level of need: Moderate
Cap investment: $6.9 million (27th in NFL)
Quick review
The Colts have their starting duo of safeties in Hooker and Willis while Odum provides solid depth. However, it is highly likely the Colts add talent to the room during the draft. With uncertainty about Hooker’s future and depth simply needed in the room, it should be expected the Colts add to it during the draft.
Draft preview
Class overview: There aren’t a whole lot of top tier talents at the safety position. However, there are some intriguing prospects for the Colts to consider if they want to find a developmental piece to eventually work in as a starter in the long term.
Early-round prospect: Jeremy Chinn, Southern Illinois
One of the top safety prospects in the class, Chinn is a perfect fit for the Colts secondary. He’s an insane athlete with speed (4.45) and size (6’3, 221) while also showing the ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage and making plays on the ball. He’s versatile, athletic and while the uptick in the competition will be a concern, he has all of the measurables to be a starter for the Colts.
Late-round prospect: J.R. Reed, Georgia
If the Colts opted to wait until the later part of Day 3 to make a pick at the safety position, Reed should be high on their list of targets. Though he has some athletic limitations that likely limit his ceiling, Reed brings fantastic instincts and given that he was a team captain in 2019, it makes sense for the Colts to target him on Day 3.
Other prospects: Ashtyn Davis, Cal | Brandon Jones, Texas | Terrell Burgess, Utah
Picks most likely used on a SAF: Nos. 44, 75, 122