Colts stop freakish draft prospect from falling in draft
The Indianapolis Colts are hitting needs and adding athletic prospects to the team in the 2023 NFL Draft. Which comes as no surprise, given how general manager Chris Ballard typically attacks the draft. In the fourth-round, Indianapolis added a pair of prospects with intriguing athletic profiles. Even more importantly, the two prospects drafted by the […]
The Indianapolis Colts are hitting needs and adding athletic prospects to the team in the 2023 NFL Draft. Which comes as no surprise, given how general manager Chris Ballard typically attacks the draft.
In the fourth-round, Indianapolis added a pair of prospects with intriguing athletic profiles. Even more importantly, the two prospects drafted by the Colts in the round play key positions.
First, the Colts began the day by drafting BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland. Freeland is a 6-7, 302-pound tackle with an elite Relative Athletic Score. He jumped 37 inches in the vertical jump at the scouting combine, showcasing some eye-popping explosion.
Indianapolis needed offensive line help, and Freeland addresses that in a big way – literally. A former high school quarterback, Freeland added a ton of weight to make the transition to the offensive line. He didn't allow a sack in 2022.
Freeland is considered to be a bit of project that will likely need some time to develop in the NFL. Once he's ready to go, though, he has the potential to be a big piece in protecting Anthony Richardson.
Then, the Colts came away with one of the biggest steals – at least in terms of value – of the draft. Indianapolis selected Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore at No. 110 overall.
Adebawore is another prospect that shined at the combine in a big way. He scored a 9.72 out of 10 in RAS, and has the versatility to play all over the defensive front.
The Northwestern product was ranked as the No. 62 overall prospect in the class by the consensus big board from The Athletic. He will slide inside for Indianapolis, giving the Colts an athletic defender next to DeForest Buckner.
All in all, the Colts started the final day of the NFL Draft with a bang. Chris Ballard has his handprints all over this class. The Indianapolis Colts are banking on the athleticism translating to the gridiron in a big way.
