Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL Draft Class
The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2023 NFL Draft with some glaring question marks. Most notably at quarterback. Fortunately, the team seems to have struck gold in the first round with their selection of Anthony Richardson. So now, it's about making the next picks count just as much. The Colts still have a total of eight draft […]
The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2023 NFL Draft with some glaring question marks. Most notably at quarterback. Fortunately, the team seems to have struck gold in the first round with their selection of Anthony Richardson.
So now, it's about making the next picks count just as much. The Colts still have a total of eight draft picks, thanks to some wheeling and dealing on Friday. Indianapolis addressed cornerback and wide receiver with their two day-two picks.
Below, we have a list of the Indianapolis Colts' draft class, with notes on each selection. General manager Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen had their work cut out for them with 12 picks.
- Round 1, No. 4 overall: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
The Colts addressed their biggest need on the entire roster with its first-round draft pick. Shane Steichen has his guy in Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson – a high-upside passer with an elite athletic profile. Richardson represents a new era of excitement in Indy.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
With its quarterback of the future in place, the Colts shifted its focus to the defensive side of the ball in round-two. Brents is a big, physical corner that grabbed four interceptions during his final season at Kansas State. He has been drafted to be the replacement for Stephon Gilmore, whom the team traded earlier this offseason.
Round 3, No. 79 overall: WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
Finally in the third-round, the Colts added a playmaking weapon for its franchise quarterback. Downs was a highly productive receiver at North Carolina with NFL bloodlines. He figures to slide right in and be a starter in the slot for Steichen and the Colts. Downs gets open with ease and will be Richardson's favorite target in quick-pass situations.
Round 4, No. 106 overall: OT Blake Freeland, BYU
Indianapolis added to its offensive line with its first pick in the fourth-round. BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland is a massive tackle with good feet and athleticism. He fits in well with what Shane Steichen wants to do offensively and will be a building block to protect Richardson for the foreseeable future
Round 4, No. 110 overall: DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Arguably the best pick for the Colts, at least in terms of value, came in the fourth-round. Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore slipped all the way to day-three, and it was Indianapolis that took advantage. Adebawore is a freakishly athletic defender that will fit well next to DeForest Buckner.
Round 5, No. 138 overall: CB Darius Rush, South Carolina
Then, the Colts followed that pick up by taking South Carolina corner Darius Rush. Rush was a prospect that some draft pundits believed would be taken on the second day. Instead, he fell to the fifth-round, and the Colts didn't hesitate to add him to the mix along with Julius Brents in the secondary.
Round 5, No. 158, overall: S Daniel Scott, California
Indianapolis stuck with the secondary with their next fifth-round pick. The Colts added Cal safety Daniel Scott, the third defensive back taken in the team's class. Scott will compete for a role in the back end of the defense, but he also adds value on special teams, which likely won the Colts over.
Round 5, No. 162 overall: TE Will Mallory, Miami
Back to offense. The Colts drafted Miami tight end Will Mallory with its fifth draft selection of the final day. Mallory joins a crowded tight ends room led by Mo Allie-Cox and Jelani Woods, but his athleticism and blocking ability was too much for the Colts to pass up late in the draft.
Round 5, No. 176 overall: RB Evan Hull, Northwestern
Indianapolis added a weapon for Steichen with its final pick of the fifth-round. Northwestern rusher Evan Hull is a three-down back that impacts the game as a runner and receiver. He had more than 50 receptions during his final collegiate season and gives the Colts an added dimension in a stacked running back unit.
Round 7, No. 211 overall: LB Titus Leo, Wagner
To begin the final round, the Colts grabbed Wagner linebacker Titus Leo. The small-school defender began his career at wide receiver before emerging as an NFL-caliber backer. He runs 4.68 in the 40-yard dash and jumps 34 inches in the vertical, making him more than worth a seventh-round flier.
Round 7, No. 221 overall: CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M
A five-star prospect in the seventh-round? That's what the Colts are getting in Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones, who was ranked as an elite recruit out of high school. He started three seasons in the SEC, facing great competition. Jones offers positional flexibility at corner and safety.
Round 7, No. 236 overall: OT Jake Witt, Northern Michigan
To conclude things, Indianapolis spent its final pick on freakish athletic offensive tackle Jake Witt. Witt has a college basketball background and began his career playing tight end. He stands at 6-7 and 302 pounds, possessing intriguing developmental upside.
The Colts have already addressed three of their biggest roster needs through the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Indianapolis solved their hole at quarterback, drafted their replacement for Stephon Gilmore, and added a playmaking wideout to the offense.
Downs provides a lot of excitement for the Colts. He is NFL bloodlines and multiple years of impressive production on the collegiate level. The North Carolina product is ready-made to be an impact player in the slot right out of the gate.
Furthermore. the Colts were able to bring a homegrown talent back to Indianapolis. Julius Brents was born and raised in Indy before playing at Iowa and K-State in college. He is a big corner that grabbed four interceptions during his final season with the Wildcats.
Indianapolis was able to come away with a pair of major draft steals on Saturday. First, the team drafted athletic defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore out of Northwestern. Then, they swooped in and added South Carolina corner Darius Rush. Both were expected to go much earlier.
Overall, the Colts checked a lot of boxes during draft weekend. Not only did the team address needs, but they filled holes with talent capabale of making a difference.
