Projecting the Colts 2024 NFL Draft needs
The Indianapolis Colts 2023 draft class is already making an impact on the team. But what positions could they look to prioritize their draft selections in the 2024 NFL Draft? While some teams view their 2023 season as over already after just four weeks, the Colts aren't one of those teams. The Colts currently sit […]
The Indianapolis Colts 2023 draft class is already making an impact on the team.
But what positions could they look to prioritize their draft selections in the 2024 NFL Draft?
While some teams view their 2023 season as over already after just four weeks, the Colts aren't one of those teams. The Colts currently sit at 2-2, the same record as every other team in the AFC South. But that doesn't mean the wholes on their roster aren't becoming more apparent as each week passes during this season. So, I'll be taking a crack at projecting which positions the Colts will look to improve at come the 2024 NFL Draft.
Projection of the Colts 2024 Draft needs:
1. CB
The Colts elected to roll with the young corners this year, as they already are starting 2023 2nd round pick Julius Brents. And now, following starter Dallis Flower's season-ending injury will start one of 2nd year Darrell Baker Jr. or 2023 7th round pick Jaylon Jones, with veteran Kenny Moore II in the slot. If the Colts end this season without seeing enough from two of the three in Brents, Jones, and Baker, I think they have no choice but to take a corner high in the 2024 draft.
2. WR
All the national coverage has been on the Colts need to extend Jonathan Taylor, but another important piece is on the last year of his rookie contract, WR Michael Pittman Jr. And while I believe he has earned an extension, that call will ultimately be up to the Colts. Even if they keep Pittman Jr., when you have a promising rookie QB, most teams have taken a big swing the following year to add a weapon to their disposal. Some examples would be the Buffalo Bills trading for Stefon Diggs to pair with Josh Allen and the Cincinnati Bengals drafting Jamarr Chase to pair with his college teammate Joe Burrow. So it could be in the Colts best interest to pay Pittman Jr. AND target a WR early in the 2024 NFL Draft to pair with him.
3. Coverage LB
Colts LB Zaire Franklin has had an incredible start to the season and currently leads the entire NFL in total tackles. So far, the second-best LB for the Colts has been EJ Speed, who the team has used in multiple ways to start the season. Former All-Pro Shaquille Leonard has not looked to be at 100%, and the team will have a choice to make on his future with the team after the season. If they choose to move on from Leonard via trade or by releasing the LB, drafting a LB could make a lot of sense. An element that I still think the Colts could use in the LB room is someone with coverage as a primary skill. Colts GM Chris Ballard has had quite the track record drafting LBs, so this could open the door for him to hit on another.
4. Safety
So far this season, one of the most disappointing positions for the Colts has been the play of their safeties. There was high hope surrounding 2nd year Rodney Thomas and Julian Blackmon, with the possibility of a big year for 2nd year Nick Cross. The safeties as a whole have struggled. to start the year, and haven't been able to cement their place with the team through the first four weeks. All it would take is the Colts not trusting one of those three long-term for them to entertain the idea of drafting a safety after the season.
5. RB
This one could become a bigger need after the season, as well as disappear off this list altogether. It all has to do with RB Jonathan Taylor and what the team decides to do with their disgruntled RB. Will they pay him, will they trade him, or will they franchise tag him and decide later? If the season ends and things are still up in the air between Taylor and the team, then drafting his replacement and trading Taylor would be the wisest decision.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s first presser following his trade request earlier this offseason
Breaking down Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s first presser following his trade request earlier this offseason.
Remember (Andrew Luck’s dominance over) the Titans
The Indianapolis Colts and Tennesee Titans are set to go head to head during Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season. So let’s take a look back at one of the most dominating stats any player has over a single team in NFL history.
