From Shaquille Leonard to Rodney Thomas II, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has a track record for performing well in the draft. In the 2023 NFL Draft the Colts brought in the largest draft class in Ballard’s tenure. As a result, the Colts fielded the fourth youngest team with an average age of 25.4. Despite the youth, the Colts finished the year with a winning record and a game short of winning the AFC South. As the team now looks to the future, let’s take one more look back at some of the 2023 draft class and how they performed in their rookie year.
Anthony Richardson (Rd. 1, Pick #4)
Going into the 2023 NFL draft many labeled Richardson as a project quarterback. With his athleticism, however, it was believed that even his floor was higher than most. The Colts wasted no time handing the keys of the franchise to Richardson as they named him the starter after a training camp battle with veteran Gardner Minshew. Unfortunately, Richardson would go on to only play in four games due to a plethora of injuries including a sprained AC joint that effectively ended his season. Richardson finished his shortened season with 577 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and one interception. In addition he added 136 rushing yards (5.4 YPC) and four rushing touchdowns.
Despite the short rookie season, many around the league believe that the Colts have finally found their franchise quarterback. The highlight of his season came in week four against the Los Angeles Rams. The Colts got off to a slow start and found themselves in a 23-0 deficit. Led by Richardson, the Colts completed an improbable comeback to force overtime. Although the Colts would go on to lose the game, the poise shown by Richardson gave Colts fans a confidence they haven’t felt since Andrew Luck.
Rookie Season Grade: B
JuJu Brents (Rd. 2, Pick #44)
The Colts traded back twice in the second round before drafting JuJu Brents No. 44 overall. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Brents played his high school ball at Warren Central before a college career at Iowa and Kansas State. The hometown kid missed the early part of training camp as he recovered from an offseason wrist surgery. The injuries did not stop there for Brents as he would go on to deal with a quad injury that kept him out of action for an extended amount of time.
All said, Brents finished his rookie season playing in nine games and totaled 43 total tackles, one forced fumble and one interception. The sole forced fumble of his season came in week three against the Baltimore Ravens and was the turning point that led to the Colts upset win.
Rookie Season Grade: C+
Josh Downs (Rd. 3, Pick #79)
Coming out of North Carolina, Josh Downs was an intriguing prospect. Many believed that Downs possessed the skills to be successful in the NFL, however there was a concern with his size. His size didn’t scare Colts wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne. It was reported that Wayne himself asked for the Colts to draft Downs and even went as far to say he was the best wide receiver in the draft.
Downs did not disappoint in his rookie season. He beat out veteran slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie for the starting role and never looked back. Downs finished his rookie season with 68 catches, 771 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance came in week seven against the Browns where he totaled 5 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Downs also took over punt and kick return duties late in the year when McKenzie was suspended by the team.
Rookie Season Grade: A
Blake Freeland (Rd. 4, Pick #106)
With both starting tackle positions filled, Blake Freeland was drafted with the idea of him being a back-up swing tackle. Little did he or the Colts know that he would be relied on early and often in his rookie season. With both Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith missing time at various points of the season, Freeland racked up nine starts. It was trial by fire for Freeland as he faced the likes of Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett and Jeffery Simmons. Inevitably, there were moments where Freeland struggled, but he held his own against some of the leagues premier pass rushers.
Rookie Season Grade: B
Will Malory (Rd. 5, Pick #162)
Will Mallory was thrusted into one of the busiest tight end rooms in the NFL once he was drafted by the Colts. In fact, at one point in training camp the Colts had a total of eight tight ends competing for a spot on the roster. Mallory would go on to be one of five tight ends to make the team’s 53-man opening day roster, but playing time would still elude him for much of the early stages of the season. With the likes of Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree and Mo Ali-Cox receiving most of the reps, Mallory waited. Despite beginning the season at the bottom of the depth chart, Mallory earned more playing time as the season went on and finished the year with 18 catches for 207 yards.
Rookie Season Grade: C
Jaylon Jones (Rd. 7, Pick #221)
In a season that saw the Colts defense rely heavily on a young secondary, Jaylon Jones appeared to be the steal of the draft. With fellow rookie cornerback JuJu Brents battling injuries, it was Jones who was forced into a starting role early in the season. Jones would go on to play in all 17 games for the Colts and started 10 of them. Like Freeland, Jones was thrusted into impossible situations at various points of the season. The seventh rounder lined up across the likes of Deandre Hopkins and Mike Evans. As expected he showed his inexperience at times, but his availability throughout the season was something to be admired.
Rookie Season Grade: B+