2023 NFL Draft: Detailed Analysis of Indianapolis Colts’ Picks
The Indianapolis Colts had a busy 2023 NFL Draft, making 12 picks overall. They used their first-round pick on quarterback Anthony Richardson, who they hope will be their franchise quarterback for years to come.
The Indianapolis Colts had a busy 2023 NFL Draft, making 12 picks overall. They used their first-round pick on quarterback Anthony Richardson, who they hope will be their franchise quarterback for years to come.
They also added some much-needed depth to their defense, drafting cornerback Julius Brents, defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore, and safety Daniel Scott.
Here is a detailed analysis of each of the Colts’ picks:
Round 1, Pick 4: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Richardson is a raw but talented quarterback with a lot of potential. He has a strong arm and is very mobile, but he needs to improve his accuracy and decision-making. The Colts are hoping that he can develop into a star under the guidance of head coach Frank Reich.
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Round 2, Pick 44: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Brents is a long, athletic cornerback with good ball skills. He can potentially be a starting cornerback in the NFL, but he needs to improve his technique. The Colts are hoping that he can develop into a shutdown corner under the guidance of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Round 3, Pick 79: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Downs is a speedy, shifty receiver with good hands. He is not the biggest receiver but makes up for it with his athleticism and route-running ability. The Colts are hoping that he can be a big-play receiver for Carson Wentz.
Round 4, Pick 106: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Freeland is a versatile offensive tackle who can play both left and right tackle. He is not the most athletic tackle but he is strong and technically sound.
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The Colts hope he can provide depth and competition at the offensive tackle position.
Round 4, Pick 110 (from Atlanta via Tennessee): Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern
Adebowere is a big, athletic defensive tackle with good power and quickness. He is not the most polished player, but he has much potential. The Colts hope he can develop into a starter in their defensive line rotation.
Round 5, Pick 138: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina
Rush is a long, athletic cornerback with good ball skills. He is not the most experienced player, but he has much potential. The Colts hope he can develop into a starting cornerback in the NFL.
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Round 5, Pick 158 (from Minnesota): Daniel Scott, S, California
Scott is a versatile safety who can play free and strong safety. He is not the biggest safety but he is athletic and has good instincts. The Colts hope he can provide depth and competition in the safety position.
Round 5, Pick 162 (from Buffalo): Will Mallory, TE, Miami (FL)
Mallory is a big, athletic tight end with good hands. He is not the most polished player, but he has a lot of potential. The Colts believe he can develop into a starting tight end in the NFL.
Round 5, Pick 176 (from Dallas): Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern
Hull is a versatile running back who can run, catch, and block. He is not the fastest running back, but he is tough and has good vision.
The Colts hope he can provide depth and competition at the running back position.
Round 6, No. 211: Titus Leo, Edge, Wagner
Leo was a former high school receiver and safety who moved to edge rusher at Wagner.
He blossomed into a viable pass-rusher and became just the second Wagner player to be drafted in the common draft era.
The Colts are looking for edge depth and will deploy Leo to compete with their contingent of pass-rushers.
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Round 7, No. 221: Jaylon Jones, CB, Texas A&M
The Colts continue stocking up on defensive backs with Jones, who becomes the fourth defensive back selected by the team in this draft.
That’s the most in a single draft for the franchise since 2001. The Colts allowed a 68% completion rate by opposing quarterbacks in 2022, 31st in the NFL.
Jones, like Brents and Rush, is a long prospect at 6-foot-2. Jones was once a five-star recruit from Texas who was ranked the No. 1 safety in the 2020 recruiting class.
Round 7, No. 236 overall (from Tampa Bay): Jake Witt, OT, Northern Michigan
Witt will be a major project for the Colts, considering he began his career as a receiver, an 8-man football player in Michigan’s upper peninsula.
After beginning a college basketball career at Michigan Tech, Witt transferred to Northern Michigan and found his way back to football.
Witt was a tight end as recently as 2021 and will have a lot of work to do to make the Colts’ final roster, but the Colts are selecting him as a developmental prospect they hope can show progress in time.
Overall, the Colts had a good draft. They added some much-needed talent to their roster and addressed some of their biggest needs.
With a young and talented roster, the Colts are poised to make a run at the championship.
Impactful Players for Colts
Here are some of the players who could make an impact for the Colts in 2023:
Anthony Richardson: Richardson is the most essential player the Colts drafted in 2023.
He has the potential to be a franchise quarterback, and the Colts are hoping that he can develop into a star under the guidance of head coach Frank Reich.
Julius Brents: Brents is a long, athletic cornerback with good ball skills. He can potentially be a starting cornerback in the NFL, but he needs to improve his technique.
The Colts hope he can develop into a shutdown corner under the guidance of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
Josh Downs: Downs is a speedy, shifty receiver with good hands. He is not the biggest receiver but makes up for it with his athleticism and route-running ability.
The Colts believe he can be a big-play receiver for Carson Wentz.
Blake Freeland: Freeland is a versatile offensive tackle who can play both left and right tackle.
He is not the most athletic tackle but he is strong and technically sound. The Colts hope he can provide depth and competition at the offensive tackle position.
Adetomiwa Adebawore: Adebawore is a big, athletic defensive tackle with good power and quickness.
He is not the most polished player, but he has a lot of potential. The Colts hope he can develop into a starter in their defensive line rotation.
These are just a few of the players who could make an impact for the Colts in 2023. With a young and talented roster, the Colts are poised to make a run at the playoffs.
