The Indianapolis Colts currently hold six selections on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft, and there are several areas on the roster they can address with those picks.
With the draft just about a week away at the time of this writing, Pro Football Focus labeled the “ideal” prospect fit for each team on Day 3 of the draft. For the Colts, they proposed a linebacker from Sacramento State.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: LB MARTE MAPU, SACRAMENTO STATE
The Colts struck gold when they took an undersized FCS linebacker in Shaquille Leonard and may get another chance to do the same with Mapu. He’s an uber-physical 216-pounder who earned an 85.9 run-defense grade last season.
Even though the Colts have a solid trio of Shaquille Leonard, Zaire Franklin and E.J. Speed, there’s a chance Indy adds to the room during the draft. We don’t yet know the timeline for Leonard’s return from a second surgery, and it could be longer than we expect.
Mapu didn’t test this offseason because he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in February, which required surgery. He measured in at 6-foot-3 and 221 pounds with 33 1/2-inch arms at his pro day.
A sixth-year senior, Mapu is currently projected to go late on Day 2 or early on Day 3. He fits the mold of a lengthy, rangy linebacker who plays with aggressiveness and a high motor. He also has special teams experience, which will be vital as a potential depth linebacker.
The Colts reportedly were among the teams that brought Mapu in for a top-30 visit, per Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston.
We’ll be tracking the Colts’ reported interest in the 2023 draft class so be sure to keep up with latest updates via our tracker.
[mm-video type=video id=01gyajz1cf09w78gj44a playlist_id=01eqbwdn1cy47y964q player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gyajz1cf09w78gj44a/01gyajz1cf09w78gj44a-010bdbc78ad49f9281566b7c8db4a512.jpg]
Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)