Indianapolis — Colts general manager Chris Ballard has tried to create the impression that his team will approach the draft with a certain open mind, intent on avoiding selection based solely on the team’s most obvious need.
This year, that position will be quarterback, as the Colts are widely expected to pick one with the #4 overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft (first round starts Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and the ESPN app). But the expectations are so great, and the need so urgent, that Ballard himself struggles to pretend otherwise.
“If you don’t feel you have a player who can completely change the franchise in terms of leading you every year, I think you will always feel some pressure to get that player,” Ballard said. The Colts quarterback hasn’t made consecutive Opening Day starts since Andrew Luck in 2015-16.
What Ballard is doing here, in fact, is acknowledging how he’s always been. He always leaned heavily on the Colts’ obvious needs during the draft.
In 2018, after repeated offensive line failures on the Colts led to Luck getting a batter, Ballard drafted linebackers Quinton Nelson and Braden Smith in the first 37 draft picks. In 2021, with the team’s rush under tight scrutiny, the two teams’ first picks were defensive ends (Kuwaiti Bey and Dayo Odiengbo). There are many other examples, including the decision to draft receiver Alec Pearce with the team’s top pick in 2022, right after moving from veteran TY Hilton.
With that history in mind, it’s probably worth taking a look at the biggest non-quarterback needs in this draft. If the past several years have proven anything, it’s that the Colts’ draft picks will focus largely on predictable positions.
To that end, here’s a look at some of the areas of need the Colts will no doubt consider in this draft.
wide future
The Colts consistently avoided wide receiver acquisitions in free agency during Ballard’s tenure as CEO, which began in 2016. And that continued this spring, when he passed Buffalo Bills free agent Isaiah McKenzie — who has surpassed 30 receptions just once in his seasons. The six — — has become one of the wide receiver’s most notable additions to this offseason team.
Therefore, the Colts will have to continue to take advantage of the draft to stockpile talent for the position. And from the looks of it, they could use more.
Only three Colts—Michael Pittman Jr., Pierce and McKenzie—have surpassed 35 receptions in a single season. Given the prospect of the Colts drafting a quarterback, it could be said that they owe it to that player for creating more competition in this vital position.
Head coach Shin Steichen was on the other side of this. He saw first-hand the impact the group of talented Philadelphia Eagles receivers had on quarterback Jalen Hurts. Steichen, who has been the Eagles’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, has dialed up an offensive scheme that has seen AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith combine for an astonishing 183 receptions.
Can Steichen replicate that in Indianapolis without adding more on-site firepower?
noon corner
The Colts’ recent trade for Stephon Gilmour to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick isn’t the main reason the cornerback is a priority need in this draft. But the move certainly created a higher level of urgency in the post.
The loss of Gilmore, who has been the Colts’ most consistent player in 2022, is compounded by the fact that 2021 Pro Bowl selection Kenny Moore and burgeoning rookie Isaiah Rodgers Sr. are entering the final seasons of their contracts. The Colts have high hopes for under-the-radar players like 2022 not-so-famous agent Dallis Flowers, but there’s no fix for that inconvenient fact: Indianapolis hasn’t drafted a corner in the first five innings since Rock Ya-Sin in 2019 (34)y Total). The current draft class should allow the Colts some opportunity to choose the types of prospects they prefer.
“This is a place you’re watching because it needs something like this in the NFL,” said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. “Finding someone who is good, can really elevate your team.”
Bradley added that his preference is for stilts with a length that allows them to excel in press coverage, but also have the kind of ability to change direction and speed that is more common in smaller players.
He said, “This group, you see some guys like that.” “There are young guys with this ability. So, it looks like a very good group.”
offensive line
There’s probably one job up for grabs on the offensive line going into the season — right guard. But the Colts also need to create competition (or at least find a solid backup) for Bernard Ryman at left tackle after his up-and-down season, while creating overall depth in the unit as they aim to field nine viable players.
The Colts cut some corners on the offensive line last year plus, and those mistakes haunted them last season. Touchdowns after right tackle Smith, left guard Nelson, and quarterback Ryan Kelly were just too many to contend with.
“I thought with the three good players we’ve got back in…we’ll absorb those other positions and they’ll come back quickly right away,” Ballard said earlier this year. “It didn’t happen that way. It’s wrong.”
When it comes to overall depth on the line, this has been taken up at times by Ballard in free agency. But the Colts haven’t made any offensive line acquisitions since last season, so look for prospects to be potential targets during this draft.
full back
Two variables make this placement one to watch in this draft.
First, there’s the case of All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who said this week that he’s still adjusting after back surgery he had in November that ended his 2022 season after just three games. This is Leonard’s second surgery since last summer.
There is also the loss of rookie star Bobby Okerek to the New York Giants in free agency. Okereke had a career-best 151 tackles last season and his departure will put pressure on EJ Speed to be a full-time starter, eroding the depth behind the start.
The Colts have a long record of finding talented prospects at the position without using outstanding picks. Anthony Walker Jr., who has started 48 games in four seasons with the Colts, was a fifth-round pick in 2017. Zaire Franklin, who had a breakout season in 2022, was a seventh-round pick in 2018. A fifth-round pick in 2019.
Perhaps the Colts can find their next gem of a linebacker in the 2023 draft.