The Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL Draft is in the rear view mirror. They have added some serious athleticism to their team between the quarterback position and skill position players. The AFC South should be on watch, the Colts are coming for the title in 2023 and beyond. How did the Colts do in the 2023 NFL Draft Review?
To wrap up the draft, they selected the following players:
- First round, fourth overall, Anthony Richardson, QB
- Second round, 44th overall, Julius Brents CB
- Third round, 79th overall, Josh Downs WR
- Fourth round, 106th overall, Blake Freeland OT
- Fourth round, 110th overall, Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL
- Fifth round, 141st overall, Darius Rush, CB
- Fifth round, 158th overall, Daniel Scott, S
- Fifth round, 162nd overall, Will Mallory, TE
- Fifth round, 176th overall, Evan Hull, RB
- Sixth round, 211th overall, Titus Leo, DE
- Seventh round, 221st overall, Jaylon Jones, CB
- Seventh round, 236th overall, Jake Witt, OT
Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL Draft Review Grade: 10/10
Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL Draft Review: Big Men Making Big Impacts
The Best Player: Anthony Richardson
This one was easy. Richardson topped the rookie quarterback rankings in February. A quick film study shows an explosive athlete. To pair with his insane 4.4 athleticism is a quarterback who can read the defense with ease. His receivers did not do him any help at Florida, but he did his best to lift the team up. His story and family are enough to make a grown man cry. Indy, help has arrived.
The Head Scratcher: Will Mallory
Mo Allie-Cox, Jelani Woods and Kyle Gransen made up a pretty solid tight end room. While Will Mallory is likely an upgrade over one of them, will he ever see more than fifty percent of snaps in a game? This is no way shade at Mallory, but the team could have used an upgrade at a few different positions.
The Surprise: Josh Downs
The Colts have shown they have a type. From Quenton Nelson, to their new quarterback Anthony Richardson, they love big dudes making big impacts. They zigged from their normal zag taking Josh Downs, a filthy route runner who is the same size as some middle school players. He adds a different element to their offense, and can be a useful weapon but goes against the Indianapolis grain.
The Steal: Also Anthony Richardson
Well, he went fourth. But he is also going to be the best quarterback from this draft in five years. Part of this has to do with the absolute animal that Richardson is. The other part of this has to do with how amazing of a landing spot the Colts are for a quarterback. The Ringer did an awesome piece breaking down nature vs nurture in quarterbacks, and both meet perfectly for Richardson.
Most Likely To Turn Heads in Training Camp: Adetomiwa Adeboware
What’s more fun to watch in training camp than freak athletes? It would have been easy to put Richardson or Downs here, but they have gotten enough love. Colts fans, prepare yourselves for Adeboware. His name is hard to spell, but his pass rush moves are harder to block. He earned a 9.72 relative athletic score out of a possible ten, putting him in the elite of elite athletes. He is going to make some freaky things look routine at camp.
The Rest
Oh man did Chris Ballard maximize on his picks. He added 12 bodies in a seven round draft, casually. Brents will immediately compete for the cornerback-two role on the team. Freeland was BYU’s best offensive lineman, and is an above average blocker in all stages of the game.
Darius Rush and Daniel Scott bolster a secondary that needed some serious help in 2022. Worst case scenario, they are special teams standouts this year. Evan Hull should be a serviceable backup in the running back room. Titus Leo either needs to add 30 pounds and move inside or lose ten and move outside, but in Ballard we trust. Jaylon Jones and Jake Witt are both athletes the front office is taking a swing on. If they hit, their athletic abilities can make them solid starters and if not, it was only the seventh round.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
