One of everyone’s favorite parts of the pre-NFL Draft process is talking about which prospects are the best fit or biggest wants for their teams. The Indianapolis Colts are certainly no different, especially this year. This year, general manager Chris Ballard has made his off season agenda clear: find Draft prospects and free agents that match the kind of rare athletic prowess that quarterback Anthony Richardson brings to the table.
If there was ever a year to set that goal, this would be it. Sure, there’s an enticing crop of free agents available, but the caliber of draft prospects available will definitely have Ballard making several of his trademark deals to acquire extra picks. There’s a wide variety of special athletes available at the positions the Colts need most, on both sides of the ball.
With a focus on the earlier rounds, here’s a short list of players who could show out at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, prospects who could be ideal fits for Indy in a variety of ways:
Cooper DeJean, Defensive Back, Iowa
DeJean is the type of player who feels like he’d be talked about far more in a Draft class that wasn’t so heavy on offensive talent. At 6’1″ and 210 pounds, he projects as a corner, but with his hitting ability and tremendous instincts, he could easily move to safety as well. In other words, he’s a chess piece, someone who could fill any coverage gap needed in Gus Bradley’s Cover 3 scheme. Oh, and he returns punts too, making him a two-way weapon on special teams also.
Brock Bowers, Tight End, Georgia
Do the Colts really need another tight end? That depends. Does potentially adding the next Travis Kelce make sense? Does giving Shane Steichen a player who can block in his run schemes, line up in the slot, and leap over any DB in the red zone work? Bowers is the kind of explosive athlete Ballard covets, and that Steichen made excellent use of on his way to Super Bowl LXII as the offensive coordinator of the Eagles.
Brian Thomas Jr, Wide Receiver, LSU
Last year, when the Colts drafted Richardson, there was no shortage of doubt that such a raw prospect could succeed in Steichen’s complex offense. Richardson proved those doubters wrong, and although his season was short, the potential was showcased. Thomas, at 6’4″ and 210 pounds, with a projected 4.4 second 40 yard dash, could be a similar type of player. He’s climbing up draft boards due to the athletic upside, but being held out of the discussion for the top receivers due to less gaudy stats than his teammate, Malik Nabers. Thomas could be one of those players that Steichen is able to get the most out of, and make other coaches look foolish in the process.
Jer’Zhan Newton, Defensive Lineman, Illinois
Defensive line, a priority for the Colts? It probably should be. With Grover Stewart hitting free agency this year, and DeForest Buckner doing so next year, the Colts should reinforce the interior of the line, since it’s so essential to Bradley’s success that his front generates a good pass rush on its own. Newton is a player who can do that from any spot on the line, commanding double teams wherever he lined up even against the outstanding offensive lines of the Big Ten Conference. He’s got incredible burst and technique for someone his size. It would be a stretch to label him the Aaron Donald or JJ Watt of this Draft class, but there are few prospects out there capable of single-handedly wrecking an offensive game plan like Newton.
Keon Coleman, Wide Receiver, Florida State
The most common thing it seems fans are asking for out of the Colts’ first pick is a true number one wide receiver, one who can do all the things a Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase or CeeDee Lamb can, in order to take some stress off of guys like Michael Pittman Jr and Josh Downs. Coleman has all the makings of a player who can be That Dude right away. Thomas may have more to offer in terms of what he’s capable of, but Coleman is a much more polished player who’ll be ready to pick up the playbook from day one.
A former basketball AND football player with a crazy vertical and tremendous awareness of where the ball is going to go, Coleman is another player who would be listed way higher on the board if so many teams didn’t need quarterbacks. Put it this way: his teammate, Johnny Wilson, is in this Draft class at 6’7″ and 235 pounds, and yet Coleman is the one who always drew the most double team coverage at Florida State. That says a lot about his skill.
Keep up with your good friends at Sports Media Pass for more news and updates on what the Colts are up to as the off season progresses. Thanks for reading!